Cherry Lips taste nothing like cherries — the flavour comes from rosewater and violet, which is exactly why some sweet-shop regulars swear they taste like soap.
A century-old shape
Cherry Lips date back to the early twentieth century and became a fixture of British sweet shops thanks to their lip-shaped mould and vivid red colour. They were a pick 'n mix and sweet-jar staple long before supermarkets carried confectionery, made from a straightforward base of sugar, glucose syrup, flavouring and colour.
The flavour that divides opinion
Rather than a fruity cherry taste, the flavour leans on rosewater and violet — floral notes more associated with Victorian and Edwardian confectionery than modern fruit sweets. That's the reason behind the "soap sweets" nickname: the same floral profile that some find sophisticated, others find closer to a bar of scented soap than something edible.
Squirrel's signature retro line
Cherry Lips have been made by the Squirrel confectionery brand for decades, and remain one of its best-known products alongside other traditional boiled and gum sweets that fill out classic pick 'n mix counters.
Find them alongside other classics in our retro sweets collection and pick 'n mix range.
Frequently asked questions
What flavour are Cherry Lips?
Despite the name, the flavour comes mainly from rosewater and violet rather than cherry, giving it a distinctive floral taste.
Why are Cherry Lips nicknamed soap sweets?
The rosewater-and-violet flavour is polarising — some people find it floral and sophisticated, while others say it tastes closer to perfumed soap than fruit.
Who makes Cherry Lips?
They've been produced by the Squirrel brand for decades and remain one of its most recognisable retro lines.