Chocolate Is Great, but Have You Seen These Alcohol Advent Calendars?
With the holidays on the horizon, we’re already getting in the Christmas spirit. And the easiest way to do that is with…well, spirits. Not to mention wine, beer, hard seltzer and whatever other libations your heart desires. Here are 12 alcohol advent calendars that’ll have you feeling holly-jolly at first sip.
RELATED: The Best Aldi Advent Calendars to Buy This Holiday, from Cheese to Hard Seltzer
1. Vinebox
This limited release is so sought after that it tends to sell out…fast. Vinebox has a reputation for curating vintages of the moment and hidden gems from all over the world, so connoisseurs and newbies are both in for a real treat. The Twelve Nights “Home for the Holidays” calendar includes 12 vials of wine—eight reds and four whites—all chosen by sommeliers and experts.
2. Vista Bay Hard Seltzer Advent Calendar
Hard seltzer has endured way beyond what some thought was its 15 minutes of fame—and we’re not complaining. Whether you’re blending up a batch of White Claw slushies or sipping straight from the can, the drink is reliably refreshing and boozy, which qualifies as a win-win in our book. Now you can count down to Santa’s arrival with this exclusive pick from Aldi, which includes a dozen flavors to explore, from green apple to coconut mango. Available in stores November 4.
3. The 12 Days of Wine Holiday Sweater Wine Collection
OK, there are two reasons we’re especially in love with this advent calendar: the design and the price. Some wine picks can cost a pretty penny, but this one includes a dozen shareable bottles of California wine for less than $40. Sip your way from Riesling to Cabernet Sauvignon, admiring each style’s ugly-but-cute Christmas sweater while you taste. Available in Sam’s Club stores only.
4. Kalea Brewer’s Advent Calendar
As if you needed another reason to shop at Costco, they’re selling a super-exclusive advent calendar containing two dozen 16.9-ounce cans of German craft beer. The selection includes a märzen, IPA, stout, pale ale and many more authentic styles. While the brews are imported, none of them are actually available in Deutschland, because only a few breweries there have a can filling plant, so they’re brewed then transported in a tanker for canning. In other words, they’re doubly exclusive.
5. Flaviar Whiskeys of the World Advent Calendar
Travel the world one sip at a time via 24 international whiskeys, including styles like Scotch, bourbon and rye. The box is designed to inspire all kinds of whiskey drinkers to try something new. In addition to the two dozen 1.7-ounce vials complete with artwork and flavor notes, the calendar also comes with a Flaviar coaster, Glencairn glass and a tasting notes booklet. Preorder it now and save $75; ships early November.
6. Sparkling Wine Advent Calendar
No celebration is complete without bubbly. And thanks to this beauty, you can get your holiday on nearly two weeks early. Pop open a dozen 187-milliliter splits of prosecco, Brut, rosé and cuvée from popular vineyards from around the world, like Chandon, Ruffino and Kenwood. Ships by December 1.
7. Drinks by the Dram Vodka Explorer Calendar
Come on, how precious are those little wax-sealed bottles? Of the 24 in the calendar, some are filled with vodka from big brands like Ciroc, Smirnoff and Stolichnaya, while others hail from smaller distilleries like Hepple Spirits, Black Cow and Blinking Owl. Try flavors like mango, Chardonnay, green chile, cucumber and, most Christmas-y of all, Douglas fir. Preorder it ASAP, as deliveries start in mid-October.
8. Hard Seltzer Advent Calendar
If you’re a hard seltzer lover who hasn’t yet delved beyond the basics, now’s your chance. While this 12-count calendar includes top-selling brands like White Claw and Truly, it also boasts small-batch seltzers from brands like Mighty Swell, Funky Buddha and Wild Basin. The specific flavors will be a total surprise, but that doesn’t scare us—we’d be hard pressed to find a drink hidden behind a festive mini-door that we didn’t like. Ships in November.
9. Macy’s Wine Lovers’ Advent Calendar
We love the wintry cottage design of this 24-bottle beauty. Each quarter-bottle is filled with vino from some of the best winemakers in the world, including a top-tier Malbec from Argentina, a 2018 Bordeaux and a fruity Chardonnay. Best part? Shipping is free.
10. 2020 Beer Advent Calendar
If the beer nerd in your life likes American-style microbrews instead of traditional German, this box is a steal. It comes with a curated selection of 12 highly rated beers from around the country, ranging from bitter IPAs to heavy stouts. Ships in November.
11. Drinks by the Dram Collection Series Tequila and Mezcal
You’ve had too many margaritas in your life to count. But have you ever sipped straight tequila or mezcal? Both spirits offer unique flavor profiles that definitely won’t disappoint (even without the sour mix). Sample earthy blancos, oaky reposados, smooth añejos and smoky mezcals from distilleries big and small.
12. Vintage Wine Estates Holiday Advent Calendar
A glass of HO HO HO Merlot? Don’t mind if we do. In fact, we’d be happy to glug all 12 shareable bottles sourced from leading California wineries. The wines—Firesteed Moscato, Delectus Winery Merlot and Windsor Vineyards Pinot Grigio, to name a few—were all analyzed and tested by the experts at Vintage Wine Estates before being chosen for the calendar, meaning they’re basically guaranteed to impress. Ships late November.
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