Sometimes only gin in a tin will do
To celebrate this year’s International Gin & Tonic Day there are plenty of ready-mixed options in supermarkets, ranging from classic, slinky juniper spirit and tonics to more adventurous flavour combinations.
Drinks expert Helena Nicklin, gives her verdict on supermarket canned G&Ts and marks them out of five
Drinks expert Helena Nicklin, gives us her verdict on a selection of canned G&Ts and marks them out of five.
Seville Orange Gin and Diet Tonic (250ml, 8% abv, £2.40, M&S) 3/5
The M&S Seville Orange Gin & Diet Tonic is low in calories
THIS tasty diet offering is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, with M&S selling 60 cocktail cans every minute, which adds up to millions of tinnies sunk each year. The new launch, available on shelves now, is 30 per cent lower in calories than the average G&T can, while still packing a punch in the booze department thanks to two measures of the spirit. Elegant, light and aromatic – like someone has spritzed fresh orange peel over your glass – it is instantly refreshing and zesty, with a strong, bitter kick from the botanicals, booze and citrus peel. You can tell it’s low in calories, but if that is what you are after then this is a decent on-the-go drop.
London Dry (250ml, 5% abv, £1.05, Tesco) 5/5
Tesco does an exceptionally good job for the price of this gin drink
THE classic green and white design of this tin shows you the G&T style that Tesco is trying to emulate, which is very similar to a famous big-name brand – Gordon’s, natch. The supermarket does an exceptionally good job for the price with this drink. Crack one open and you get a brilliantly balanced G&T with a classic, refreshing taste. Sip straight from the can or pour out over ice, this is a terrific tipple for not much cash. It literally does what it says on the tin. One for gin purists who like a real bargain without any compromises on what they’re enjoying.
Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla (250ml, 6.5% abv, £2.50, Asda) 4/5
Tanqueray London Dry Gin and Tonic is lovely poured over ice with a slice of orange to garnish
ZINGY and tangy, this convenient, bittersweet beauty manages to capture the classic, juniper-heavy note that the Tanqueray brand is famous for and blend it brilliantly with Spanish orange citrus, all packaged in a very pretty can. It is properly premium, not too sweet with a decent slug of gin, and this is reflected in the higher price. Still, if you are after a special, splash-out sipper, this is the one. Lovely poured over ice with a slice of orange to garnish.
Hortus Pink (250ml, 6.5% abv, £1.19, Lidl) 3/5
Lidl’s own gin range packs a boozy punch
THIS pretty, pink Hortus can is from Lidl’s own gin range and packs a decent, boozy punch at 6.5 per cent. More in the traditional pink gin style – with just a splash of angostura bitters rather than the sweeter, red fruit flavours that most other tins offer – this is super-dry with a classic, botanical bite. That does also mean it lacks the charm of some of the others tested, but it is great value for a G&T to go. Pour out over ice and add a slice of your favourite garnish to posh it up.
Greyson’s Ltd Pink Edition Dry (250ml, 5% abv, 99p, Aldi) 4/5
Greyson’s is an Aldi gin ‘dupe’ that is very bang for your buck
HERE is another Aldi "dupe" special that looks and sounds much like another famous gin brand and does a very good job with the contents for under a pound. The Greyson’s pink can is pretty and perfumed, with lots of crunchy red-fruit flavours inside. Tangy and a bit floral rather than overly sweet, there is still enough gin to really let you know it is in there. This terrific, tinned tipple is a perfect takeaway and offers a brilliant budget bang for your buck.
Mix Up Pink (250ml, 4% abv, £1.39, Morrisons) 2/5
The four-per-cent alcohol volume in the Mix Up Pink is noticeably lower than a few of the other cans
IF you are after a modern style of pink gin, Morrisons’ offering is a good example, with additional strawberry and raspberry flavours all packed in a tiny tin. The "splash of gin" advertised does feel very small and the fruity flavours are slightly synthetic, but it is easy-drinking enough and well priced. The four-per-cent alcohol volume is noticeably lower than a few of the other cans, so it is a great option if you like to keep your percentages low. It is also a good choice to sup direct from the can al-fresco – just make sure it is straight-from-the-fridge cold.
Rhubarb & Ginger (250ml, 5% abv, £1.20, Sainsbury’s) 3/5
Sainsbury’s Gin, Rhubarb & Ginger is well worth a try
WITH lots of real, fruity flavours and an enjoyable spicy kick, this lovely little London dry-gin tin is a firm favourite for those who aren’t massive gin fans but still like the idea of a G&T. Pre-mixed with natural (apparently) rhubarb and ginger flavours, it is sweeter than many. This sweetness does well to hide any bitter botanicals for those who don’t enjoy them quite so much. A great bang for buck, it is just a bit different and looks classy too. This is well worth a try if you fancy switching it up from your usual tipples.
Alfie Pink (250ml, 4% abv, £1, Iceland) 2/10
Alfie Pink Gin & Tonic is just £1 at M&S
FOR the top-value price of only a quid, Alfie’s attractive-looking gin in a tin isn’t bad at all This is another tipple best suited to those who aren’t massive gin lovers and don’t want to taste too much undiluted spirit. It is the fruit-flavoured version that comes with a whack of sweetness hiding much of the gin flavour and bitter kick. It tastes lower in booze than many, reflecting the four-per-cent alcohol volume, which is half the strength of the M&S can. Still, for some sippers that is a plus, and for the price you can’t argue too much.
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