WHY not treat your Mum to breakfast in bed with a kick this Sunday to let her know how much she means to you?
From Bucks Fizz to Bellini’s, there are plenty of reasons to pop a cork for a Mother’s Day celebration.
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And none of them break the bank.
Here, drinks expert Helena Nicklin, from thethreedrinkers.com gives her verdict on a selection of ready-mixed supermarket offerings to gift or glug – scoring each one out of five for both taste and value.
Vineyards Buck’s Fizz, 75cl, £2.75, Tesco: 3/5
FOR the extremely purse-friendly price, this cocktail made with orange juice concentrate and sparkling vino delivers a decent enough drop, though it does feel a bit thin.
The orange tastes fresh and fruity, and the 3% ABV drink goes down easily without being too boozy.
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It’s a good choice if you need to buy a few bottles for a larger gathering or simply want a celebration with Mum that doesn’t cost the earth.
If you’re serving this on a breakfast platter, it will come across better with light food.
DRINK IT: With scrambled eggs or smoked salmon.
Mimosa, 75cl, £4, M&S: 4/5
MIMOSAS are technically a little lower in alcohol than Bucks Fizz but, in reality, it’s just the American name for the same thing – fizz and fruit juice.
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This pretty pink 4% ABV tipple looks gorgeous and for my money wins the packaging prize.
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I’m sure any Mum would be delighted to receive it.
It also feels the most natural with real orange, strawberry and mango juice in the mix, as well as sparkling wine.
There’s a lot going on so a little heavy for brekkie, but would work a treat for family brunch, if she shares it!
DRINK IT: With a Full English brekkie.
Bucks Fizz, 70cl, £2.49, B&M: 1/5
WITH the current offer price, this is a good choice if you’re watching the budget, although I’d prefer to keep this 4% ABV Bucks Fizz pre-mix for a mass celebration rather than an individual gift for mum.
A touch metallic on sipping and lacking some charm, it’s made with a mix of orange juice concentrate and sparkling wine.
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To be honest, splashing out on just a posh, fresh orange juice without the booze might be more of a treat for Mum.
Failing that, I’d mix it into a cocktail.
DRINK IT: If there’s nothing else – sorry!
Pop! Fizz Bucks Fizz, 75cl, £3, Sainsbury’s: 2/5
THE eye-catching bottle with its orange and green label promises a good time and what’s inside is, well, okay.
Lacking the freshness of some of its Bucks Fizz competitors, the “long life” juice element comes through strongly on sipping and the acidity sticks out a bit.
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I’d top it up with some fresh juice if I had some.
Or you could elevate the cocktail by adding cordial.
At 4% ABV, it’s a good one for parties if you are planning a Mother’s Day gathering.
DRINK IT: With some grenadine cordial.
Angelo Taurini, Bucks Fizz, 75cl, £4, Tesco: 4/5
THIS 4% ABV French fizz looks rather posh on the outside and the good news is that when you pop the cork what’s inside the bottle doesn’t disappoint either.
The clementine flavour is a bit different and takes this the extra mile on sipping.
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Very nicely rounded rather than tinny and thin.
It’s your trade-up choice, but I reckon it’s well worth it.
Give Mum a glass to spoil her and let her enjoy some me-time.
DRINK IT: In a luxury bubble bath.
Bucks Fizz, 75cl, £2.50, Asda: 3/5
I ADMIT I wasn’t expecting much from this citrussy, sparkling sipper at such a low price but a flute of it was actually rather nice.
The orange fruit is pleasantly on the tropical side and sweet, but the acidity balance is decent, so it avoids being cloying.
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Bright, breezy and extremely good value for under the three pound mark.
At 4% ABV, a very nice addition to a Mothering Sunday brunch table.
DRINK IT: With grilled, salty morsels such as Welsh Rarebit.
Peach Bellini, 75cl, £3.15, Tesco: 5/5
THERE’S something deliciously moreish about this 4% ABV Bellini, made with sparkling wine and peach juice from concentrate.
While it’s not a classic fresh, white peach juice and Prosecco combo, it’s put together nicely and is terrific, tropical and looks and tastes like a proper special treat.
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Light on its feet, great value and the packaging is extremely pretty too, which makes it a lovely gift for Mum.
DRINK IT: Alone in your favourite pair of PJs!
Bucks Fizz, 75cl, £2.99, Morrisons: 2/5
A PRETTY bottle and a good price will help this shift from the shelf for sure, though it’s not the most sophisticated sipper.
Good for those new to booze or who don’t really drink much alcohol, but want to sip this Sunday to celebrate Mother’s Day.
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It tastes exactly like sweet, dilute orange cordial that’s gone through the Sodastream.
At 4% ABV, it’s hard to pick out any hint of booze, but that’s not to say it’s undrinkable – it is actually very gluggable.
DRINK IT: Very chilled.
