A recent taste test of apple and blackcurrant squash has found that supermarket own-brand options can rival — and even surpass — premium brands like Robinsons and Ribena. With Robinsons costing £2.50 per litre and Ribena at £2.23, shoppers may be tempted by cheaper alternatives. The test compared bottles from Lidl, Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and M&S against the two market leaders.
The winner was Asda's own-brand squash, priced as one of the cheapest options. It offered a deep blackcurrant flavour that was not too sweet, making it highly drinkable. The reviewer noted it was a 'no-brainer' for value and taste. Lidl's 4x concentrate also impressed, providing a strong blackcurrant taste reminiscent of childhood juice boxes, with excellent value for money.
Robinsons delivered a light, balanced flavour with apple and blackcurrant notes, but did not win over the reviewer. Ribena was described as an acquired taste, too strong for daily consumption, though none of the supermarket options matched its unique character. M&S squash, at £2 for a 750ml bottle, was deemed too sweet and not worth the price.
Sainsbury's was average, lacking flavour intensity, while Tesco surprised with a fruitier, sweeter taste where apple dominated. Overall, the test concluded that shoppers can save money without sacrificing quality by choosing own-brand squash, particularly from Asda and Lidl.
