After an early look at supermarket Christmas food for 2026, there’s one theme that stuck out to me: clementines. From Asda’s star-shaped clementine pannacotta, to Aldi’s clementine cheesecake, the sweet festive fruit is popping up across menus this year, but the most inventive take I’ve seen has to be clemencello.
As the nights draw in and festive party planning gets underway, supermarkets are vying for a spot on our Christmas bar selection with creative twists on classic holiday tipples. This year, supermarkets are offering clemencello: a citrusy, festive take on Italy’s iconic sun-in-a-bottle digestivo, limoncello. Both M&S and Sainsbury’s have launched their own seasonal clemencello liqueurs, swapping out summer lemons for the bright, aromatic warmth of winter clementines.
If you're loyal to traditional Italian liqueurs but want something a little more seasonal to offer guests this winter, clemencello promises the perfect compromise of bright citrus and holiday cheer. Intrigued by whether these festive bottles could truly capture the essence of the Mediterranean while delivering a proper Christmas spin, I pitted M&S and Sainsbury’s clemencellos head-to-head to see which one is worth stocking up on.
Read more: I’ve seen all the supermarket Christmas food for 2026 – here’s what to try
M&S clemencello liqueur
Why we love it
- Aromatic and sweet
- Easy drinking
Take note
- Might lack a punch if you like stronger tasting drinks
A clear theme this year, the M&S clemencello liqueur joins the supermarket’s clementine and cranberry bucks fizz (£5, Ocado.com) and the chocolate and clementine Irish cream liqueur (£15, Ocado.com) for this year. In a smart bottle with green lettering, the liqueur is made with Italian clementine extract that really shines through in the taste.
It’s sweet enough to be drunk on the rocks or mixed into drinks to add a lovely warming citrus flavour. Compared to limoncello this actually feels a bit more authentically Italian than the often too sickly limoncellos I’ve previously tasted – a win from such a British supermarket.
Buy now £13, Ocado.com
Sainsbury's clemencello
Why we love it
- Feels more authentic
- Bottle looks appealing on a bar
Take note
- More expensive
The Sainsbury’s clemencello is made with Corsican clementines, and it’s noticeably cloudier than M&S’s version, which gives it a rustic feel. I found it a lot punchier in terms of the alcohol taste, despite its ABV being slightly less than M&S, but that might suit you if that’s the kind of drink you favour.
It’s also less sweet and drier than M&S’s, so I prefer it mixed with a sparkling wine to make a spritz. That said, it feels more refined – and I love the funky artwork on the bottle.
Buy now £16, Sainsburys.co.uk
M&S clemencello liqueur vs Sainsbury's clemencello: which should you buy?
While Sainsbury’s version offers a punchier, drier profile that works well in a spritz, I preferred the M&S clemencello for its balance of sweet and citrus that made it more easy drinking. Either way, they will both stand out as the ultimate festive crowd-pleaser this year.
How I tested supermarket clemencello
To find the ultimate supermarket clemencello, I tasted the bottles side-by-side looking for aroma, sweetness, alcohol balance, clementine authenticity, and versatility. The bottles were also assessed on value for money, presentation on your bar at home and overall ease of drinking.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alice Reynolds is a writer at IndyBest, and has previously tested a range of supermarket food and drink, including the best supermarket pizza and best supermarket dark chocolate. She regularly speaks to experts about wine and spirits, and has seen every supermarket’s Christmas range so knows what’s worth looking out for.
Read more: M&S’s Christmas food-to-order is here – and it stars a festive Colin
