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 a vino sipper, 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 someone who prefers 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.
Whiskey lovers, listen up. Explore 24 Whiskey Flights Across the World inside Flaviar’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 whiskey connoisseur Daria Smith, who tried the Flaviar whiskey Advent calendar in 2023 and 2024. We also tried the 2025 Advent calendar, which features a fantastic airport lounge-themed box complete with a “tasting passport.” 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 airport-inspired 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.
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. No matter your taste preferences, you’re sure to enjoy every single microbrew included.
We tested both the 2023 and 2024 versions, and the 2025 looks virtually identical to last year’s. 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!
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 wintry 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 for the 2025 calendar range from spicy rosé to gewürztraminer and Montepulciano that offer something a little different from your standard, run-of-the-mill chardonnay or pinot noir. Those particular about their wines can pick up the all-reds or whites and rosés options. There’s also a luxury version for those who appreciate the finer things.
At 187 milliliters apiece, these are larger than mini shot bottles, and equivalent to a quarter of a standard bottle. You end up with about six bottles of wine—a pretty good deal! The bottles are also so cute—each one is totally giftable if you find it difficult to finish all 24 bottles on your own.
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, which makes it easy to save them for later in the fridge. There’s so much variety, making it exciting to open with family and friends to share the tasting experience.
If you’re shopping for a spirits lover, this Ole Smoky Moonshine Advent calendar is a delight! It features 12 mini jars of moonshine to sip and savor throughout the holiday season. For a moonshine lover, it makes an excellent gift. Or, divide it into adult stocking stuffers for a fun, flavorful (and slightly tipsy) holiday surprise.
“It’s a 12-day countdown, similar to most other alcohol Advent calendars,” says tester Mary Henn. “You may also be able to find a similar selection of Ole Smoky shooters at a well-stocked liquor store. The flavors are sweet, sour and bold, making them easy to sip. Proceed with care, though, because the ABV packs a punch!”
This Advent calendar focuses on best-selling flavors, so expect standard offerings like banana pudding, sour watermelon and white chocolate strawberry . While we’d have loved to see more holiday-centric inclusions like the brand’s Shine Nog, we appreciate that this more generic assortment appeals to a wider audience. That said, a few flavors like apple pie and butter pecan do have a little holiday flair.
At around $40 per calendar, the price evens out to about what you would pay in store per mini jar or “shooter,” making it an overall solid budget pick. It’s worth noting, however, that there are a few duplicate flavors included. Nonetheless, it’s still a solid option for those seeking a nontraditional alcohol Advent calendar for gifting.
Mix up 12 different drinks inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas carol and enjoy a truly immersive seasonal experience with this whiskey cube Advent calendar. Each of the 12 doors contain a small vial with two mixer sugar cubes. Just add warm water, muddle, pop in some ice and fill the glass with your favorite whiskey for a nice wind-down after the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
At under $50, this budget-friendly find makes an excellent gift for whiskey lovers. While the packaging isn’t super exciting, it’s what’s inside that counts—and these flavorful mixers don’t disappoint. Boasting award-winning bitters, high-quality ingredients and an excellent variety of holiday-centric flavors, each day’s drink channels the spirit of the season. The little vials holding each set of cubes are easy to open and keep the contents nice and fresh.
Standouts include French Hens (hazelnut praline, espresso, vermouth and Scrappy’s Seville orange bitters), Swans A-Swimming (black walnut, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Sorghum and Sassafras bitters and 18.21 tart cherry saffron bitters) and Drummers Drumming (black currant, sage, Woodford Reserve orange bitters and Angostura aromatic bitters).
In terms of mixing, the instructions advise using one cube for every shot of alcohol. This means that there’s enough for up to 24 one-shot drinks, or 12 two-shot drinks.
When shopping for an alcohol Advent calendar, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, and most importantly, the type of alcohol matters—especially since you’ll be enjoying 12 to 24 days of drinks. These adult Advent calendars come in many different variations, including wine, beer, liquor and even alcoholic seltzers and sparkling wines. You can also snag a mixer calendar if you want to pick your own poison.
Secondly, consider the size. While there are plenty of 24-day options, some folks may instead choose a 12-day calendar, especially if they’re not big drinkers but still want to enjoy a nice wind-down each day. This also goes for sample sizes. Some options—like our favorite wine calendar—offer slightly more than the standard mini bottle. This makes them a much better bang for your buck.
To find the best alcohol Advent calendars, our expert shopping team tested more than 10 different options. 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. Some also 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.
Since 2022, I’ve written and edited content for national print and digital publications, including Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest and more. I’m also Taste of Home’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 2025.
![The Best Advent Calendars for Adults in 2025 [Tested and Reviewed]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Best-Advent-Calendars-for-Adults_Taste-of-Home_01_YVedit.jpg?resize=72,72)
