But they are small and right at the bottom of the bottle. You can hardly notice them. Going on looks, M&S was winning slightly here. Marks and Spencer’s version arrived on the scene a few years ago, with shoppers desperate to get their hands on the stunning bottle - and others going as far as to collect all the different flavours to create a collection. To make it fair, I sampled the gin straight, as well as with lemonade (my choice of mixer). When it was straight the clementine taste was strong, however I still wouldn't be able to drink it straight.

The bottle was very pretty and got a 10/10 for design, with a clear agreement from the gin team that it ranked best for design compared to the two other Aldi gins we tried. There's a reason why the M&S snow globe has been so popular this year, and while it's a good effort from Aldi, overall it tasted a bit too sweet and we weren't as dazzled by the overall appearance of the bottle as we were with the Marks and Spencer version.This year, Marks and Spencer's Light Up Snow Globe Gin Liqueur has been more popular than ever, and where M&S go, Aldi tends to follow. Yes, the budget retailer now has its own version, and of course it comes with an Aldi price tag. Both retailers' gins liqueurs come in a clementine flavour. M&S also do a mulled sugar plum flavour. READ MORE: We tried Christmas candles from Marks and Spencer, Yankee & Home Bargains but only one scored top marks

Everyone loves a drink at Christmas, so I decided to put two bottles of the gins to the test. To keep it fair, I tried both clementine flavours to see which really was the best. Both would make great Christmas gifts however - and I can see them being popular once again this year. On its own, the gin liqueur isn’t bitter and is nice and fruity but I thought the pomegranate was overshadowed by the cranberry.

ALDI’S 2023 CHRISTMAS GIN RANGE GIVES GIN DRINKERS SOMETHING TO CHEERS ABOUT

Classic gin botanicals such as juniper, angelica root and citrus peel are used in Gilded Gin, but elderflower and Valencian clementine stand out. Of course, the gold flakes also stand out, but don’t do much in terms of flavor and are truly there for your aesthetic pleasure.

Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up for one of our free newsletters Read More Related Articles One member of the gin team said they thought it “smells like Christmas” adding that it had "more a taste” than the Sloe Gin. I remember seeing last years versions adorned with trees, snow and reindeers. This year, it does feature Santa's sleigh and reindeers flying over mountains.M&S argued the Cuthbert cake infringed its trademark and "rode on the coat-tails" of its reputation. Next onto Aldi’s Haysmith’s Cranberry and Clementine Gin, perfect for those who love the tangy and sweet taste of Clementine, this gin has it all. I popped the cork in the bottle and I immediately the sweet smell of clementine's hits you. Gin is my choice of tipple, however one thing that could put you off is the strong smell. But this was much different. M&S has a proud history as a leading British innovator and for over 136 years customers have turned to M&S for unique, original, quality products – conceived, created and developed by us working with our trusted suppliers and produced to the highest standards,” said an M&S spokesman. Per the brand, Gilded Gin is best enjoyed with “soda water and a slice of orange or alternatively Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic.” Yum.

On first taste, Aldi’s own Sole Gin was very warming on its own, with one member of my ‘gin team’ describing it as the “perfect spirit to warm up the bones”. Moving on to the design of the bottle, it has a simple yet striking look, with berry vines all over and the gins' dark purple colour making it striking amongst any home bar shelf. Our customers have confidence in our products because they trust our quality and sourcing standards, so we will always seek to protect our reputation for freshness, quality, innovation and value – and protect our customers from obvious copies.” If there's one thing that we all love in the run up to Christmas, it's all the festive food and drink on sale. On just looks, then the M&S bottle is the most attractive to look at. And once finishing the bottles, would make a lovely Christmas decoration.Read more: I tried mince pies from Sainsbury's, Aldi, Tesco, M&S, Morrisons and Waitrose - and there was a clear winner It is once again the battle of Marks & Spencer and Aldi. We all know the saga surrounding Colin and Cuthbert the Caterpillars.