logo
The supermarket cider can that beats both Strongbow and Kopparberg – it's perfect for picnics

The supermarket cider can that beats both Strongbow and Kopparberg – it's perfect for picnics

The Sun19-07-2025
SUMMER has well and truly arrived, and now is the perfect time to stock up on our expert-approved ciders.
Whether you like sweet or dry, many supermarkets are now selling own-brand drinks at bargain prices.
Whilst prices of beer and wine have risen, some stores are selling cider for around the same price per litre as a carton of apple juice.
From sweet and dry to everything in between, here Lynsey Hope reveals her favourite supermarket choices in a can - and the winner even beats Kopparberg.
As always, if you're enjoying a drink or two, make sure to be Drinkaware.
Taurus Original Cider
Golden colour with a slightly sour fruit aroma and a little toffee.
The sour taste masked the fruit a bit, though there were some very slight herbal undertones.
A little rough on the throat, though we can't deny the amazing price.
At £2.29 for four cans, it's a very, very budget option so if you can't afford anything on a hot day, this'll do.
Not a great tasting cider though - best left for the end of the night when the tastebuds are shall we say, less sensitive.
Taste: 1/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 4/10
Tesco Apple Cider
£2.50
£1.42 a litre
ABV: 4.5%
The Tesco cider has quite a crisp refreshing taste.
It's not overly strong and is a little like drinking a fruity, sparkling water.
It needed a bit more punch, but it was pleasant enough to drink.
If you want a chilled cider on a budget, it's a solid choice.
Passable - and £2.10 cheaper than Strongbow for four cans.
Taste: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 6/10
Morrisons The Best West Country Vintage Still Cider
Lovely and crispy and this packs a fruity punch, thanks to the higher ABV.
You can tell it's a collaboration with cider maker Henry Weston.
Whilst it's a little pricier than other own brands, it definitely has a finer taste.
It's made using traditional varieties of cider apples, including Dabinett and Michelin, harvested and pressed in the same year, slowly matured and spends time in aged oak vats.
A box instead of cans, but once opened, it was devoured pretty quickly and didn't last long in the fridge.
Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 9/10
Asda Cider Original
£2.54 for 4 cans
£1.44 a litre
ABV: 5%
A dry cider that's ok for the price, it tastes a little like Strongbow.
The aroma was fresh and somewhat appealing and it was crisp and refined to drink.
It tasted best when super chilled. Be warned, it does contain sweeteners and sulphites.
Taste: 4/5
Value:4/5
Overall score: 8/10
M&S Devon Orchard Cider
£2.25
£2.82 a litre
ABV: 4%
If you can overlook the fact that you are paying pretty much the same price for this small can as you are for a four-pack at Aldi, then it's really delicious.
They come in a range of flavours and I especially loved the elderflower infusion and raspberry.
Crisp, refreshing and not sickly sweet like many other fruit ciders.
It's all made at Sandford Orchards in Devon and the cans are nice to take out on a picnic too.
It is expensive, but already planning to order in a few more as a treat - even at this price, it's still my winner.
Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Overall score: 10/10
Lidl Woodgate Original Cider
£2.29
£1.30 a litre
ABV: 4.5%
Amber coloured with a very strong, fruity aroma.
It's not as gassy as Strongbow and I found it easier to drink, easily sipping a can without feeling bloated.
It's quite dry, and sour, but not unpleasant - and a great price.
For a budget option, you could do much worse than this.
It's pretty good quality for the price, with no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.
Taste: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 7/10
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Couple finally win battle over neighbours' huge untrimmed hedge that left them suffering 'five years without sunshine'
Couple finally win battle over neighbours' huge untrimmed hedge that left them suffering 'five years without sunshine'

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Couple finally win battle over neighbours' huge untrimmed hedge that left them suffering 'five years without sunshine'

A couple who have been embroiled in a long-running battle over a huge hedge overlooking their garden say they've suffered 'five years of misery and five years without sunshine' as a result. Keith Smith, 71, and his wife Julie, 68, told MailOnline that the matter has been a 'thorn in their side' that has taken a massive toll on their mental health. The couple have lived in their detached house, in the Prestonfield area of Edinburgh, for more than four decades. However, they say things changed after their neighbours moved in and planted cypress trees that grew several metres high. Mr Smith said the trees created a 'green wall' that went all the way along a fence dividing their gardens, preventing sunlight from getting into both the Smiths's garden and through the windows of their home - in what he brands a 'huge intrusion' and not suitable for adjoining gardens. This prompted an official row with the owners of the cypress trees, David Hunter and Niena Hunter Mistry, that has rumbled on for five years and seen the gardens inspected several times by various officials. Police have also attended over disputes between the neighbours. Edinburgh City Council initially knocked back the Smiths's bid to have the trees chopped down, but the couple later successfully appealed to the Scottish Government, which said the cypresses had to be cut down to 8.5 feet. The Hunters asked for one tree to be kept as it is, but that has also been ordered to be cut back to 8.5ft - and the Smiths say they are looking forward to this happening later this year. According to Edinburgh City Council's website, a hedge must be over 6.6ft from ground level before being considered a 'high hedge' potentially having a negative effect on people living nearby. Mr Smith, previously an employee of the local authority for 38 years, has now said that while the couple are hopeful the matter is dealt with, it has been 'a thorn in their side' and has caused them considerable stress and inconvenience, with many 'false dawns' along the way. In a document to the government, the couple previously said: 'The cost to the public purse must be considerable in terms of government, council and police resources. 'We, the Smiths, have suffered hugely financially, emotionally and physically by this process and sincerely hope, this will now lead to resolution.' The Hunters were unavailable for comment.

Rail station lift entrapments lasting more than 75 minutes nearly double
Rail station lift entrapments lasting more than 75 minutes nearly double

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

Rail station lift entrapments lasting more than 75 minutes nearly double

Incidents of people being trapped in railway station lifts for more than 75 minutes have nearly doubled in two years, new figures show. Disabled people's charity Transport for All described being stuck in a lift as a 'terrifying experience' and called for Network Rail to be 'accountable for their failures'. Some 125 incidents were recorded in the 12 months to the end of March, analysis of Office of Rail and Road (ORR) data by the PA news agency found. That was compared with 67 in 2022/23. Many passengers – such as those with disabilities, pushchairs or bulky luggage – are advised to use lifts at stations where available rather than stairs or escalators because of the risk of falls. Average response times to lift entrapments increased from 44 minutes in 2022/23 to 51 minutes two years later. Over the same period, the number of incidents of people being trapped in lifts for all durations rose from 573 to 712. Lift faults have also become more common, jumping from 8,233 in 2022/23 to 9,587 in 2024/25. The statistics relate to stations owned by Network Rail, which is the vast majority in Britain. Cat Whitehouse, head of communications and engagement at Transport for All, said: 'Lifts at stations give us the freedom to get around safely, they're essential for many of us, as disabled people. 'Network Rail has failed in their duty to maintain lifts, harming and even trapping thousands of disabled passengers – a terrifying experience for anyone. 'The Office of Rail and Road must hold Network Rail accountable for their failures, so we can all trust that we're safe on our railways.' A spokesperson for lobby group Campaign for Family-Friendly Trains said: 'Being stuck in a lift with your child or baby is a nightmare scenario. 'It's even more stressful if your child is hungry, tired or needs a nappy change. 'Broken lifts are a source of huge stress for parents – often women – solo travelling with young children, resulting in dangerous manoeuvres with a buggy down stairs or relying on the kindness of passing strangers for assistance.' Nearly two out of three (6,053) recorded incidents of lift faults in the year to the end of March were attributed to 'wear and tear'. Some 2,200 were blamed on 'misuse and vandalism', while 1,334 were because of a problem that was 'external to the lift system'. There were 1,351 lifts at 515 stations at the end of March, an increase of 59 lifts from a year earlier. Among the stations fitted with new lifts in 2024/25 were Anniesland, Glasgow; Hartlepool, County Durham; Ludlow, Shropshire; Theale, Berkshire; and London Bridge. An ORR spokesperson said it will closely monitor Network Rail's progress in delivering measures set out in an improvement plan. He added: 'The rise in serious incidents, including people being trapped in lifts for extended periods, shows that urgent action is needed.' A Network Rail spokesperson said it has 'overhauled' its maintenance and inspection contracts for lifts, and invested £3 million in the year to April to 'target some of our worst-performing lifts'. She went on: 'On average, our lifts are available 98% of the time, but we know that's not always the experience for those who depend on them – and that's not good enough. 'If a lift breaks down with someone inside, our priority is to understand any specific needs, keep them informed, and support them in continuing their journey. 'We'll be speaking directly to Transport for All to take on board any feedback that can help us improve further.' London Fire Brigade figures show there is a general increase in the number of people being trapped in lifts. The brigade responded to 6,670 incidents in the year to the end of May, up 8% from 6,165 in the previous 12 months.

Find a way to live with swooping seagulls, Scots told
Find a way to live with swooping seagulls, Scots told

Times

time2 hours ago

  • Times

Find a way to live with swooping seagulls, Scots told

Homeowners and businesses have been urged to learn to live with attacks by seagulls rather than asking for permission to destroy their nests. Due to declining populations, the birds have protected status even though there have been increasing reports of them stealing food in coastal resorts. Last year NatureScot, the government agency, turned down a record 620 applications submitted by individuals and businesses to demolish gull nests, many more than in previous years. Just 40 applications were rejected in 2023 while only one was turned down the year before that, according to data obtained by The Mail on Sunday. The agency said it has a duty to balance health and safety concerns with gull conservation and the birds were facing 'serious declines' in their populations. Its approach now was to support individuals, businesses and communities to 'better manage gulls without the need to kill the birds or destroy their nests'. A spokesman said: 'There will be times when gulls are causing a health and safety issue. In the longer term, we need to find ways to live with gulls and other wildlife.' The gull threat is most obvious in seaside communities where they forage for food such as chips, pies and pasties in people's hands. The birds can also be aggressive when defending nests during the egg hatching season. • Eat with your back to the wall: smart ways to keep seagulls at bay The threat has been raised in parliament by the Scottish Conservatives as concern grows over gull attacks. Douglas Ross, the Highland list MSP and former party leader, said he had been 'inundated' with complaints. 'It's an escalating problem that's putting public safety at risk,' Ross said. 'The SNP government and NatureScot are completely out of touch with reality.' Richard Lochhead, an SNP MSP who represents Moray, said he had contacted Jim Fairlie, the agriculture minister, about the issue. One mother wrote to him about her and her children being regularly attacked by the birds. She said: 'I'm terrified to even leave my house at times. I've been dive-bombed and there comes a point where it's a serious problem. I am genuinely developing a phobia of them.' • Seagull after your chips? Fear the squadron, not the loner Capturing, injuring or destroying any wild bird in Scotland, or interfering with nests or eggs, is illegal. However, licences are granted to get rid of nests in areas where gulls are a menace. While 2,041 such licences were granted in 2023, only 505 were in 2024. Gulls are a common sight in many areas near the coast but some species, such as herring gulls and kittiwakes, are on the UK red list as species of conservation concern. The latest Seabirds Count census shows all five breeding species of gull continuing to decline, with numbers in Scotland down by between 44 per cent and 75 per cent depending on species. The declines are attributed to factors such as changes in food availability and land use, with some species also suffering losses because of recent outbreaks of avian flu.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store