I tried Baileys new Vanilla Mint Shake and it's the best flavour yet

27 June 2023 , 18:00

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Baileys Vanilla Mint Shake is the latest limited edition flavour version of the iconic Christmas drink (Image: Narin Flanders)

Baileys has launched a new flavour in the UK perfect as a refreshing summer drink but shoppers need to be quick if they want to get a taste. Baileys Vanilla Mint Shake went on sale at The Bottle Club earlier in the year but sold out within hours of being unveiled online.

To meet the high demand, the alcohol wholesaler fast-tracked more of the product from the US and the shipment hit online shelves this week - but it's only available while stocks last.

For lots of us, Baileys is an essential Christmas tipple and the perfect mixture of rich, sweet, milkiness with a warming whisky kick.

But makers Diageo are keen to ensure it's not just a wintry treat and have over the last few years launched a host of different flavours to tempt shoppers all year round ranging from tiramisu to espresso coffee, salted caramel to Eton mess (no I'm not sure about that last one either).

In the last few months we've seen the return of the hugely popular pineapple and coconut flavoured Baileys Colada alongside a new Deliciously Light version of the traditional Baileys favourite which comes with 40% fewer calories and, in my opinion, doesn't sacrifice on taste.

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But having tested the Baileys Vanilla Mint Shake, for my money it might be the most delicious non-traditional Baileys flavour so far.

This is a delicate balance of vanilla, mint and a hint of chocolate all with the classic Baileys flavour and is perfect for drizzling over ice cream or in a milkshake as well as in the more traditional - and my preferred - way over ice.

When I poured my first glass of Vanilla Mint Shake Baileys I ended up having a weird moment of sensory overload.

As it glugged out of the bottle and over the ice you got that waft of scent which, for me, reminds me of Christmas and good times with good friends.

But then when you look at it - it's green. An attractive, pastel green, more posh French macaron than liquidised Kermit the Frog, but nonetheless most definitely not what you're expecting from a glass of Baileys.

But don't panic, as soon as you take a sip that familiar Baileys flavour is there and you get the warmth and vanilla hit you’d expect then, as that dissipates, a delicious, subtle, cooling mint aftertaste.

You'll never mistake it for classic Baileys with its pretty pastel green hue (Narin Flanders)

It’s not aggressively minty - this isn’t toothpaste levels, more a Polo mint.

It makes for a light and surprisingly refreshing drink perfect for enjoying on a summer evening as the sun goes down nd it gets a little bit chillier.

I’ve had the mint chocolate Baileys before and found it a little too sickly with the overpowering cocoa notes, but this dials back the chocolate and makes the mint the star and makes it all the more drinkable for it.

For me it just might be the ideal Baileys flavour.

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It has enough of the taste of the classic Irish Cream which remains my ideal festive (and increasingly year round) drink, but with a tinge of something special to make it a bit different as well as lighter for the warmer weather.

I haven’t tried making a milkshake with it yet, although it feels like the obvious next step.

Right now I’m enjoying the neat liqueur and don’t want to dilute that with anything other than a nice chunk of ice fresh from the freezer, but I can see it forming a great base for frosted minty cocktails.

The Vanilla Mint Shake Baileys is noticeably more expensive than other Baileys flavours at £46.99, although to be fair to The Bottle Club the comparison is even more noticeable because right now they've reduced the price of many other flavours to as little as £17.89 making them cheaper than either Amazon or Tesco.

Is it a premium price? Absolutely yes, but if you like Baileys and mint then this might be your perfect pick, especially if you're one of the fussy folk like me who like mint but not necessarily the bash-you-over-the-head flavour that mint choc chip can often be.

I’d certainly recommend stocking up while you can and plan to pick up a second bottle myself to stockpile for Christmas after making a serious dent in my first with a group of friends - surely the best way to drink it.

Just always remember to drink responsibly.

Narin Flanders