Updated on Nov. 14, 2024
Making spirits bright takes on a whole new meaning with these alcohol Advent calendars. We found picks for liquor lovers, wine aficionados and beer fans.
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Though we love our coffee Advent calendars and Christmas chocolate countdowns, sometimes it takes something a little stronger to get us in the holiday spirit—and take the edge off. This time of year can be a lot to handle. Enter alcohol Advent calendars. Whether you’re a craft beer fanatic, an at-home mixologist or you believe the best way to end the day is with a glass of vino, these boozy countdowns offer a little something fun for everyone.
According to cocktail expert and mixologist Lynnette Marrero, these boozy calendars are often centered on spirit categories and themes. “They are a fun way to discover new things,” she says. “The sample size makes them approachable.”
An alcohol Advent calendar is like a regular Advent calendar—but for the 21+ crowd. These boozy countdowns typically include 12 or 24 windows filled with different sips. Whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur, wine buff, tequila lover or prefer something hoppy, there’s an option for everyone. Because we take Advent calendar season very seriously, we tried every pick on this list to narrow down the absolute best options. Behold our top recommendations for wine, beer, whiskey and beyond.
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Whiskey lovers, listen up. Explore Hotel Flaviar inside the brand’s renowned whiskey Advent calendar. Not only will you look forward to sampling 24 types of whiskey from around the world, but you’ll also score two Glencairn glasses, a tasting journal, information on each whiskey and a free one-year Flaviar membership for year-round whiskey tastings.
As one of the best alcohol Advent calendars, this pick comes highly recommended by Senior Shopping Editor Daria Smith (aka our resident whiskey connoisseur), who tried the Flaviar whiskey Advent calendar in 2023 and 2024. With whiskey represented from all over, including Ireland, Australia and Japan, this is the countdown for adventurous spirits.
“Whiskey samples include award winners and exclusive new releases,” says Daria. “Some whiskey vials come from bottles worth over $150. Not only does it include two Glencairn glasses, which are ideal for sharing each sample with a loved one, but the education-focused tasting journal includes information on each individual whiskey sample with space for personal tasting notes.”
Plus, the packaging is impeccable. “It’s wrapped in stunning red and gold packaging, enhancing the overall tasting advent-ure. Additionally, the whiskey vials and glasses are secured tightly in their slots and won’t break during shipping.”
Daria also tried a standard Flaviar membership and confirmed it’s an excellent holiday gift.
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Whether you’re an exclusive IPA-lover or prefer something a little less serious, there’s a brew for everyone inside this 12-day beer Advent calendar—or, as I like to call it, a brewery tour in a box. Whether you prefer IPAs or enjoy pretty much anything served in a fun glass, you’ll enjoy every single microbrew included.
We tested both the 2023 and 2024 versions. Product Tester Pamela Bondurant notes that it’s not always possible to purchase microbrewery beer from locations across the U.S., which makes this calendar a winner for her.
“I love the diversity of beer included in this Advent calendar. There are porters, IPAs, brown ales, and more from every coast, and some are in between,” she says. “There’s no product list, so each day truly is a surprise when you pull your beer from the calendar.”
Not only were the beers tasty, but they introduced us to new brews from across the country without having to leave our homes. Take it from us and host your own “hoppy hour” during the 12 nights leading up to Christmas with the help of this alcohol Advent calendar. Pro tip: Keep the box in the fridge so your brew chills to perfection. Then go ahead and order up a beer of the month club so the fun never ends!
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Grab your favorite wine glass! While some wine Advent calendars include cans of vino, we appreciate the tasteful yet indulging nature of this In Good Taste mixed wine Advent calendar. Though it looks cozy and wintery enough to add a little magic to the season, the real surprise is the tasting experience.
Apart from boasting 24 mini bottles with enough wine for one (or a tasting portion for two), it also offers a selection of whites, reds and rosés that are equally delicious and distinguishable from one another. Inclusions range from bespoke beverages like a spicy rosé to less eclectic offerings like Wild Child cabernet sauvignon and La Pluma fiange. Not a fan of white wine? Try the all-reds option. There’s also luxury version for those who appreciate the finer things.
Each bottle is packaged securely inside its slot, meaning zero breakage during transit. The bottles themselves are also display-worthy for those who want to upcycle them for flower propagation or candles. Each comes with a mini cork too, which makes it easy to save them for later in the fridge. The back of the package includes a QR code that links to a daily video detailing each wine, too, so you can sip along with the experts at In Good Taste.
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For cocktail lovers who enjoy a mix of everything, this liquor Advent calendar has everything you need to celebrate the spirit(s) of the holiday. While some alcohol Advent calendar picks only offer 12 nights of booze, this liquor countdown goes the extra mile with 24 spirit-filled days (or nights).
We tested the 2023 calendar, which is almost identical to the 2024 option. It’s filled with well-known brands like Tito’s, Crown Royal, Captain Morgan and much more—we won’t spoil all the surprises!
“As a budding mixologist, I enjoyed testing my cocktail-making skills by mixing up something new with each bottle of booze. Or, skip the cocktail and pour it on the rocks—it’s the holiday season, after all,” says former editor Madi Koetting. Pro tip: Collect all 24 bottles and play liquor roulette with your guests at your long-awaited holiday party.
Since 2022, I’ve written and edited content for national print and digital publications, including Taste Recipes, Reader’s Digest and more. I’m also Taste Recipes’s resident Advent calendar expert. Our shopping team researched and tested dozens of holiday countdowns across every category to find the absolute best ones for 2024.
To find the best alcohol Advent calendars, our expert shopping team tested more than 10 different options in 2023 and 2024. We began by researching the most popular calendars, sticking to brands we’ve either personally tried or that already have a good reputation. We then sourced the calendars and participated in the Advent countdown with each.
From there, we considered a number of evaluation categories, including shipping, experience, packaging, freshness and value. When it comes to Advent calendars, one of the most important considerations is value. We only included calendars in our roundup that offered excellent surprises at a price that wasn’t artificially inflated.
Alcohol Advent calendars are available at various online stores, including Williams Sonoma and Uncommon Goods. Some are even available on Amazon! Most, however, are available directly through a specialty retailer.
An alcohol Advent calendar is an Advent calendar that contains alcohol in the form of beer, wine, cocktails or liquor. They can either contain alcohol or instead offer barware, mixers and other bar-related accessories.
Alcohol Advent calendars all approach the tradition differently, so they cover a range of price points. Advent calendars that actually contain alcohol—think wine, beer or liquor—typically ring up at a higher price point. On the other hand, Advent calendars that contain mixers are often a good budget alternative since you supply the alcohol yourself.
