M&S shoppers despair as drink branded ‘better than Baileys’ is missing from shelves this Christmas

A BELOVED M&S drink branded "better than Baileys" is missing from shelves this Christmas, leaving shoppers devastated.

The Chocolate and Coconut Cream was a cheaper dupe for the famous Baileys Irish Cream, scanning at £10 versus £22.

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The indulgent alcoholic drink was also vegan, proving a hit with customers on plant-based diets.

Now, the fan favourite is "no longer available" on the luxury food and clothes brand's website - and nowhere to be seen on supermarket shelves either.

Disgruntled shoppers took to Reddit to share their disappointment, with one typing: "I used to get M&S chocolate and coconut cream liqueur and it was better than the regular Bailey's (that I can remember), but for some reason M&S stopped making it."

Another echoed: "Any luck finding it? It doesn't appear on their website, but I will look out for it the next time I'm near a store."

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A third wrote: "Been looking also, asked my local store and they said they don't make it anymore, been looking for alternatives and have seen dirty cow and Amarula being mentioned a lot."

Other users noted that the product had come in and out of stock numerous times over recent years.

Last week, M&S posted on Instagram about a new festive drink, the Mince Pie Liqueur - only to be met with an annoyed shopper asking: "Why did you stop making your chocolate and coconut drink?"

A member of the team responded to the comment, saying: "Our chocolate and coconut cream liqueur isn't available this year due to some supplier issues.

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"However, our Drinks team have said it will be returning at some point if you check back with us next year."

When contacted by The Sun, a spokesperson for the luxury food and clothes brand again confirmed the news.

They said: "We are constantly reviewing, improving and refreshing our ranges across the Foodhall, reacting to the latest trends as well as customer feedback.

"We have a better-than-ever selection of festive drinks options this year including our brilliant first-to-market White Mulled Wine as well as our super smart light-up Mince Pie Liqueur, both of which are vegan and have been taking social media by storm lately.

"Although our Chocolate & Coconut Irish Cream Liqueur is currently not available, we always listen to customer feedback when reviewing future ranges."

But, luckily for Baileys lovers, Aldi has its own dupe - the Luxury Edition Irish Cream Liqueur - and its price has recently been slashed to under £5.

Those who like a festive tipple may also decide to try M&S's Mince Pie Liqueur - which even comes in a light-up bottle.

Shoppers have gone wild on social media for the drink, with over 7,000 likes, comments and shares across Instagram and Facebook.

One fan commented: "Definitely on my list."

While a second said: "Need to get this weekend!!"

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And third added: "Always pulling it out the bag M&;S!!! This is so cute."

But, in more sad news, the posh supermarket announced it was discontinuing its "glorious" Cocoa &; Cherry Bircher pot.

Why are products axed or recipes changed?

ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.

Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.

They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.

There are several reasons why this could be done.

For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes.

Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.

They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.

For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.

It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.

Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.

Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.

While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.