WE can’t get enough ready-mixed citrus cocktails, with sales simply fizzing.
M&S has seen sales of its margarita offering up 75 per cent this year, with more than 1.5million tins and bottles sold.
The tequila-based tipple is classically made by mixing two parts spirit with equal one-part orange liqueur and lime juice. But that can be a bit of a faff.
Here, drinks expert Helena Nicklin gives her verdict on eight ready-made tipples, with marks out of five.
Sunrise Classic Margarita 125ml, 14.9%, £1.99, Lidl
LIDL’S Sunrise sipper goes head to head with rival Aldi on looks, price and booze.
It looks and feels smart with its textured, retro-style tin, and what’s inside is taste-tastic for two quid.
There’s nothing soapy about this. It is light, fresh and well-balanced in true Latin style.
The right ratio for this should have plenty of kick while ensuring that the fresh citrus flavour flies.
This will be perfect to get the party started at the weekend.
Serve it long over ice or just slurp it gratefully on the sofa over the weekend or when you return home from work.
RATING: 4/5
Infusionist Spicy Margarita 125ml, 14.9%, £1.99, Aldi
IT tends to be more hit than miss with Aldi’s mini cocktail cans – and happily this mini marg is firmly in the hit camp.
It is sweeter than your average margarita, probably to temper the chili spice, but it works well, especially if served ice cold over even more ice.
Ideal if you don’t like your margaritas too tart.
A super cocktail that captures the essence of the Mexican original except this one is available in your local supermarket for less than £2. There’s lots of booze for your buck here too.
The only thing missing is a beach.
RATING: 4/5
Blood Orange Margarita 150ml, 14%, £3.50, M&S
THE Marksologist cocktail range from M&S is a more professional pour with complex ingredients and a lot more booze.
The blood orange margarita is a modern take on the classic and tastes like it has been made with real fruit juice.
The bright and funky pink can is cool and eye-catching and should certainly convey the let-your-hair-down vibes.
It is not too sweet either, which is refreshing.
Made with a mix of tequila, blood orange liqueur, lime, agave and blood orange juice, it delivers a more floral and unusual type of margarita.
An interesting one to try for a change. It is a bit pricey, though.
RATING: 3/5
The Drinks Bureau Spicy Margarita 200ml, 8%, £2.60, Morrisons
THE Drinks Bureau offers an eye-catching tipple here with an interactive twist.
Chill this zesty green goodie and give it a good shake before pouring over ice and adding a chilli to garnish.
It feels a little like you have actually made it from scratch and it tastes great too, with lots of real lime, a smidge of orange and just the right balance of sweetness with heat.
Made with tequila, lime, chilli and agave this is a moreish bar-worthy cocktail.
Looks fabulous in the glass and, at £2.60 for 200ml, it is great value too.
RATING: 5/5
Margarita 25cl, 8%, £2.50, M&S
THE M&S “train” tinnie has become a Friday-night staple and its margarita is now leading the pack.
There is a decent whack of booze in this can – though, at 8% ABV, it feels lighter than that.
Also, there’s a more lemon citrusy edge than the classic lime, and no orange.
Still, it is super-refreshing and very easy to drink.
On the pricier side compared to some other store-own sips, but this is one you will have no trouble picking up at the station.
Home or away, it is a decent drop and one to savour after a long day in the office.
RATING: 3/5
Olmeca Altos Margarita Classic Lime, 75cl, 14.9%, £13.25, Co-op
THIS may seem like the splash-out option but while it will cost you more than some, it works out at only pennies more than the Morrisons drink per millilitre – and I’d say it is worth it.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given it’s made by a genuine Tequila producer, this pre-mix is the real deal.
It packs a punch in all senses, from the tangy citrus to the booze and hint of orange, and needs nothing added at all.
Just tip over ice from the stylish bottle and you are good to go.
Ideal for a pouring a round at home with people who really like it done properly. Gorgeous.
RATING: 5/5
The Best Classic Margarita 70cl, 14%, £10, Morrisons
THE supermarket’s own-brand pre-mix marg does a decent job for the relatively low price.
Especially given it is 14% ABV, so it is fairly punchy on the booze.
It is a little heavy on the synthetic lemon front, though, which, unlike fresh citrus zing, catches in your nose a little too long.
Still, if it is bang for buck you are after, it is not terrible.
Comes in a very stylish bottle, which is more than suitable for gifting at a gathering.
There’s a touch of salt in the mix too, which is very Mexican. Just add a squeeze of real lime and pour over plenty of ice to balance it up.
RATING: 3/5
Extra Special Margarita 70cl, 10%, £8, Asda
THIS bigger bottle keeps costs low per serving and offers you the chance for a top-up.
And while its lime-green packaging looks the part for taking to a gathering, I’m afraid it doesn’t quite hit the mark on the flavour front.
Very weak and fake-tasting, there is almost no lime or orange tang here at all.
Plus the booze doesn’t bring any real body to the table as it should.
All in all, a bit insipid.
The ingredients say it is made with Mexican tequila, but I don’t think this will be giving you holiday vibes in the glass.
Yes, technically, it is a margarita, but not one for cocktail enthusiasts.
RATING: 2/5
