I tasted Baileys, Coole Swan and Aldi Irish Cream this Christmas, and one drink’s silky smooth texture and subtle chocolate notes make it the clear winner.
I tasted Baileys, Coole Swan and Aldi’s Irish Cream (Image: Jessica Brunt / Wales Online)
When it comes to Christmas drinks, there’s little to compare with an Irish cream liqueur, which goes hand-in-hand with putting up the tree and watching Love Actually.
Many may initially think of Baileys when it comes to this festive tipple, but I decided to venture out and pit the famous drink against two of its popular counterparts: Coole Swan and Aldi’s Specially Selected Irish Cream. I rated the drinks for taste, price and versatility to see which is worth investing in this festive season.
Coole Swan – €22 with Tesco Clubcard for 700ml (was €26)
I’d never tried Coole Swan before and I loved the bottle’s appearance, Wales Online reports. That may not matter to some but as someone who has a little bar cart I like to keep pretty-looking spirits on it’s certainly a bonus. I also think that makes it perfect for gifting.
The drink contains single malt Irish whiskey, real Belgian white chocolate (yes, actual chocolate), fresh Irish dairy cream from the brand’s family farm and vanilla for balance. According to the brand, the drink took 231 attempts to perfect and was created around a kitchen table by an independent, family-run team on a farm in Ireland.
One would hope then that it would live up to expectations, so I was excited to give it a try. Coole Swan has a silky smooth texture I’ve not had before with other Irish creams. There’s a delicate hint of chocolate in both smell and taste (though this is not a chocolate-flavoured drink as such – it’s very subtle).
This may be a downside for some, but I loved that it wasn’t sickly and still felt like a drink rather than a full-on dessert. The alcohol content is 16% by volume, a little less than Baileys and Aldi’s offering. Coole Swan also feels less overpowering than other options on the market. The taste is consistent throughout without that alcohol ‘hit’ some others give at the end.
The Coole Swan website also has plenty of cocktail ideas, including a Santa’s Little Helper (an amaretto, vodka, and cinnamon blend) and an Espresso Martini with a Coole Swan twist, both of which sound right up my street. I also like that there’s summery ideas for drinks too, including a Coole Colada (made with pineapple vodka) and a Strawberry Swan (which contains chocolate bitters might I add).
One Amazon shopper who reviewed the drink hailed it ‘better than Baileys’ whilst another wrote: “Lovely smooth drink, really enjoyable. Nice bottle.”
If I’m honest, I was left very pleasantly surprised by Coole Swan, after initially finding it hard to believe it could taste significantly different to others on the market. My one drawback with Coole Swan would be that the price point is higher than some other options, coming in at €22 for 700ml (on sale) as opposed to the same sized Baileys coming in at €10 (also on sale).
Baileys Irish Cream – €10 with Tesco Clubcard for 70cl (was €22.50)
Baileys is a classic in many a household, it’s as much a part of Christmas as the turkey and Twiglets, and when it’s on offer it’s a pretty decent price too. Ideal for gifting, I love that Baileys can also be tipped into coffee or over ice cream. The drink has a 17% alcohol volume.
My one drawback with Baileys is that I do find on occasion it can be slightly sickly after a while, especially if I’m drinking it after eating. I also find the alcohol hit comes just after swallowing, rather than a consistent taste throughout.
Despite this, I like that the taste is rich and feels nostalgic, reminiscent of Christmases from years gone by. For me, Baileys will always be a favourite I’ll repurchase, and I know it’s a fail-safe gift for plenty of my family members too.
Over at Amazon, one customer said on the online marketplace: “Classic indulgence done right” – and I’d have to say I wholeheartedly agree.
Aldi Specially Selected Irish Cream – €8.75for 70cl
At £7.69 (€8.75), Aldi’s Specially Selected Irish Cream is the most affordable in my taste test. The bottle looks similar to Baileys in style, and the consistency and taste are also reminiscent of the Christmas classic.
My only criticism of the Aldi drink is that it’s that it has quite a ‘milky’ scent and taste to it. Some may like this, but personally I found it a little too dairy-tasting for my preference.
Overall, it’s still a delicious option and I’d say without any prior knowledge of what they’re drinking, shoppers could easily mistake it for a household name. Like Baileys, it contains 17% vol of alcohol.
I have to also give Aldi’s offering kudos for the price point, which is fantastic for larger gatherings. Overall, it offers great value for shoppers on a budget without compromising on taste.
Aldi Ireland currently sells Ballycastle Country Cream for €7.99.
Which is the best Irish Cream to shop in 2025?
Coole Swan: 9/10
Pros
- Silky smooth drinkable texture
- Nice delicate flavour which is easy to sip on
- Stylish bottle perfect for gifting
Cons
- Slightly higher price point
- Those who are not chocolate lovers may not appreciate subtle sweet taste
Baileys: 8/10
Pros
- Classic taste associated with Christmas
- Ideal for coffees and desserts
Cons
- Slightly sickly after eating
- Hit of alcohol upon swallowing
Aldi Specially Selected: 6.5/10
Pros
- Great budget-friendly price point
- Tastes similar to more expensive brands
Cons
- Milky taste with a strong dairy hint
- Also has a sharp hit of alcohol upon sipping
Overall, whilst I was initially sceptical about whether Coole Swan could be worth the extra money, I can certainly say it is. For me, it felt less sickly and filling than the Baileys and Aldi’s Irish Cream, and neither of the other options could compete when it came to texture. For me, the real winner has to be Coole Swan, thanks in most part to its smoothness, which can’t be beaten.
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