Which gin is just the tonic?

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IT’S THE drink of the moment but has the gin world gone bonkers? It now comes in hundreds of weird and wonderful flavours, mad colours and a range of fancy bottles.

Along with that snazzy choice come some premium price tags.

But, is it worth splashing out up to £40 for a bottle?

We’ve put 15 brands priced from £11.99 to £40 through their paces to see if they pass the Cash Queens Gintastic taste test.

JJ Whitley Violet Gin (70cl), £18, masterofmalt.com Alcohol Strength: 38.6% Sleek and elegant bottle that took us straight back to our childhood with its smell and taste of Parma violet sweets. Not an overpowering taste, just right, and we loved the delicate purple colour. That Boutique-y Gin Company Strawberry & Balsamico Gin (50cl), £29.95, masterofmalt.com Alcohol Strength: 40.1% It looked more like a rum and coke, and divided our tasters. Some loved it (mainly blokes) others found it slightly bitter. It started with a nice fruity flavour but then left an acidy aftertaste. Hortus Rhubarb & Ginger Gin (70cl) £11.99, Lidl Alcohol Strength: 20% This was the cheapest gin but one of our favourites. The best of everything from its classy bottle to the very appealing fruity smell. You get a tasty rhubarb hit first, then a nice gin kick and finish with a hint of ginger. Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin (70cl), £26, Morrisons Alcohol Strength: 43% It had a good balance of flavours – zesty orange and a hint of liquorice worked well. Easy to drink and a cool bottle in white and vibrant orange. Botanical Project Limited Release Chilli & Ginger Gin (50cl), £19.99, Aldi Alcohol Strength: 43% Not for the faint hearted as it has a powerful chilli kick and just a smidgen of ginger with a fiery aftertaste. Nice ceramic bottle, though. Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin (70cl), £20, Sainsbury’s Alcohol Strength: 40% It looks expensive with its simple, chic bottle. A very smooth gin with a perfect spicy, peppery kick that lands on your tongue. Subtle but enough to pep things up. Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin (70cl), £16.50, Sainsbury’s Alcohol Strength: 37.5% Classic and simple bottle in a good vibrant pink. But it smelled a bit sickly and was far too sweet and syrupy for our taste buds. Bulldog London Dry Gin (70cl), £16 (on offer until Monday), Tesco Alcohol Strength: 40% Smooth and creamy with a flowery and citrus hint. Very refreshing with a subtle flavour but tastes like a proper gin should. Simple and very chic. Unicorn Tears Raspberry Gin Liqueur (50cl), £38.95, master ofmalt.com Alcohol Strength: 40% One for a girls’ night in. It’s fun and pretty with its shimmery pink colour. Pleasant fruity flavour was a tad sweet for us, so one was enough. Malfy Con Limone Gin (70cl), £28, Marks & Spencer Alcohol Strength: 41% It smelt yummy and citrussy and had a refreshing lemon, zesty flavour that didn’t overpower the gin taste. It hit the roof of our mouths with a very pleasant sensation. The bottle seemed to disappear very quickly! 3 Pugs Bubblegum Gin (50cl), £28.95, 31dover.com Alcohol Strength: 20% We loved the bottle and didn’t want to spoil it by opening it – elegant with a wax seal. A gin liqueur that lost the pink colour when we added tonic but tastes sweet and delicious and is true to its name. Our pick for a fun retro-tasting cocktail, perfect for a get together. Extra Special Pink Grapefruit & Elderflower Gin Liqueur (50cl), £12, Asda Alcohol Strength: 20% Looks and tastes a lot posher than the price tag. Powerful fruity whiff. You get a subtle grapefruit flavour then the elderflower comes through stronger and sweeter. Sharish Blue Magic Gin (50cl), £35.49 (10% off for Cash Queens readers using MIRROR10 code), Drinksupermarket. com Alcohol Strength: 40% A pretty shaped bottle with a bright blue tipple. Turns pink with tonic! Not a strong flavour, but with a hint of coriander.

Audemus Pink Pepper Gin (70cl), £40, Waitrose Alcohol Strength: 44% A graceful bottle and smelt expensive. It began with a slightly bitter but good peppery flavour which then turns sweet and delicious. British Rose No 3 Small Batch Gin (50cl), £25, Marks & Spencer

Alcohol Strength: 39% Looked very posh and rustic. Smelt very pleasant and had the wow factor when it turned pink as the tonic was added. Strong rose flavour meant that one glass was enough for us.