A splash of Irish cream liqueur over ice or stirred into a hot chocolate is a delightful indulgence over the Christmas period for many.

And of course, the brand synonymous with Irish Cream is Baileys – the market leader in the tipple.

But is Baileys really the best? Or can a cheaper alternative rival it?

In a blind taste test, Which? recruited a panel of 108 volunteers to sample three Irish cream liqueurs: the original Baileys, along with two budget-friendly contenders from Aldi and Sainsbury’s.

The results show that although still incredibly popular, Baileys may no longer be the undisputed champion of the Christmas drinks cabinet.

According to Which?, tasters were just as impressed by Sainsbury’s own brand Irish cream as they were by the famed Baileys.

Both of the sweet creamy liqueurs scored highly for appearance, aroma and flavour.

Meanwhile, Aldi’s version was deemed ‘acceptably drinkable’, according to Which? but it couldn’t quite keep up with the other two.

Baileys The Original Irish Cream

The Irish cream, which is £17 for 70cl, scored 77 out of 100 in the taste test – when judged on looks, aroma and flavour.

Tasters praised its rich, indulgent flavour and inviting aroma, with many commenting on its appealing appearance in the glass.

Most agreed that the balance of sweetness was just right, while two-thirds enjoyed its luxuriously creamy texture.

than half felt it had the perfect consistency, and nearly one in two thought the level of alcohol strength was spot on.

Although Baileys is the most expensive bottle in the line-up, Which? notes that it’s frequently found on offer, so savvy shoppers can often pick it up for less if they keep an eye out for discounts.

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Irish Cream Liqueur

The Taste the Difference Irish Cream Liqueur, which is £13.25 for 70cl, also scored 77 out of 100 in the taste test.

In the Which? blind taste test, the supermarket’s Taste the Difference Irish cream liqueur went sip for sip with Baileys, impressing tasters with its smooth, well-balanced flavour.

The rich, creamy drink scored highly for both taste and appearance, with most panellists praising its blend of sweetness and gentle warmth from the alcohol.

With an identical overall score to Baileys but a noticeably lower price, Which? says Sainsbury’s offering makes for a smart, great-value alternative this festive season.

Aldi Specially Selected Irish Cream Liqueur

The Selected Irish cream is the cheapest of the bunch, at just £7.99 for 70cl, however it got the lowest score at 66 out of 100.

The Which? panel found it didn’t quite deliver the same level of indulgence.

than half of tasters felt its pale colour wasn’t as inviting as the others, and nearly half thought it lacked the desired creaminess and thickness.

Opinions were divided on sweetness, while half felt the alcohol flavour came through a little too strongly.

That said, for those looking for a budget-friendly bottle to pour over ice or add to coffee, Which? said Aldi’s Irish cream still offers a decent option at a fraction of the cost.

The research was carried out by consumer research specialists Wirral Sensory Services.

Jessica Carson, Which? Food and Health Editor, said: ‘If you enjoy savouring a glug of Irish cream liqueur as the nights draw in – whether that’s on ice or in a hot chocolate – it’s worth knowing the best value options.

‘Baileys impressed in our taste test, but if you can’t find a good deal on the real thing it’s worth going to Sainsbury’s where you’ll get a cheaper alternative that scored just as well.’