Lifestyle

RIBENA is a classic blackcurrant squash drink that many of us reach for on supermarket shelves without even thinking.

It's been around since the 1930s but sadly for the brand, sales are falling by around 4% every year.

Many shoppers are now looking for cheaper alternatives as we struggle through the cost-of-living crisis.

But is there a cheaper own brand that tastes just as good as the old favourite?

We asked Lynsey Hope, 41, from West Malling, Kent, to find out – and one bargain bottle was the perfect substitute for Ribena.

Asda 50% Fruit High Juice Blackcurrant (1L)

  • £2
  • 20p per 100ml

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Very fruity with a lovely blackcurrant flavour. I thought this tasted of good quality and it was refreshing.

It's not cheap and has risen steeply in price from just £1.35 in 2022 but you still get more of it for your money than you do if you buy Ribena.

  • TASTE: 9/10
  • VALUE: 8/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 8/10

Ribena Blackcurrant (830ml)

  • £2
  • 23.5p per 100ml

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Ribena is a classic drink for many householdsCredit: Steve Bell

A bit on the pricey side but Ribena still has the same fruity flavour I remember from childhood.

It's made with blackcurrant from concentrate and does contain aspartame and other sweeteners, which give you a sugary hit after drinking.

I would have preferred a less sweet taste.

  • TASTE: 9/10
  • VALUE: 7/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 8/10

M&S Blackcurrant High Juice (1L)

  • £1.85
  • 18.5p per 100ml

Looks more red in the glass than purple.

It didn't taste anything like Ribena but it was fruity and refreshing.

I'd describe it as fruity-flavoured water.

It's a good price from M&S and the bottle lasted an eternity.

If it's the classic blackcurrant you're after though, you may not like it.

  • TASTE: 9/10
  • VALUE: 8/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 9/10

Waitrose Blackcurrant High Juice (1L)

  • £2
  • 20p per 100ml

This also looks very red in the glass but it tastes too sweet.

It's advertised as having no added sugar and is instead made with a sweetener called sucralose, which I think ruined the flavour.

A good price and it lasted well, but I didn't like the taste.

  • TASTE: 5/10
  • VALUE: 7/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 6/10

Sainsbury's High Juice Blackcurrant Squash (1L)

  • £2.15
  • 22p per 100ml

Of all the juices we tasted, I found this to be the best substitute for Ribena.

It was almost identical in taste.

It was very fruity and had that distinctive blackcurrant purple colour.

I found it clean and refreshing to drink, and it's marginally cheaper too.

  • TASTE: 9/10
  • VALUE: 8/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 9/10

Tesco Apple and Blackcurrant Quadruple Strength (750ml)

  • £1.35
  • 18p per 100ml

Very strong. It took me a while to get used to making it and sometimes I made it too strong.

You really do only need a drop in the glass to get some flavour so it lasted well and I thought it was good value.

You'll definitely use less of this and it's a great price, one of the cheapest on offer.

Once I got it right, the flavour was nice and fruity and refreshing.

  • TASTE: 7/10
  • VALUE: 8/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 7/10

Aldi Sun Quench 50% High Juice (1L)

  • £1.35
  • 13.5p per 100ml

This tastes almost identical to Ribena but costs 10p less per 100ml.

It's slightly fruitier and has less sugar.

It's a fresh and clean-tasting Blackcurrant. I'll be stocking up on this for the summer.

  • TASTE: 9/10
  • VALUE: 10/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 9/10

Morrisons Apple and Blackcurrant Double Concentrate (1.5L)

  • £1.29
  • 8.6p per 100ml

Very watery and has a chemical aftertaste, which I found off-putting.

It didn't have the classic apple and blackcurrant flavour you'd expect.

Super, super cheap, but I wouldn't buy this again. We will struggle to finish the bottle.

  • TASTE: 3/10
  • VALUE: 3/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 3/10

Lidl Lindhouse Double Strength Apple and Blackcurrant Squash (1.5L)

  • 99p
  • 6.6p per 100ml

The cheapest squash in our test so I worried it wouldn't compare with Ribena.

It also came out red but surprisingly, it tasted good and it's a fantastic price. Ribena beware.

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This drink is cheap and will encourage kids to drink and get some vitamin C in them. An absolute winner.

  • TASTE: 10/10
  • VALUE: 10/10
  • OVERALL SCORE: 10/10

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