The humble advent calendar. Part and parcel of our collective childhood Christmas experience, the excitement of another day dawning meant we were not only a step closer to Christmas, but also could tear into a numbered window and claim the prize of a bite-sized piece of chocolate.
And today? The excitement remains, but there are decidedly more grown-up treats behind each festively decorated widow.
Advent calendars for adults is a category that’s surged these last few years with sugar-laden confections swapped for all sorts of other surprises. We’re talking miniature drams of whisky and gin, to travel-sized beauty for both him and her, and advents filled with pretty jewellery - with few of us able to resist.
And really, why would you? After being good all year why not treat yourself - or a loved one - to a pre-Crimbo thrill before the motherload of gifts waiting under the tree?
Boozy calendars come second only to beauty in terms of covetability. With good reason, for what better way is there to live up to the Yuletide directive of ‘eat, drink and be merry’ than with a wee dram every day until December 25?
If you’re reading this, it may well be the case that we’re preaching to the choir. You’ve likely already fallen for the idea of a drinks-laden calendar, hook, line and sinker. To that, we say - welcome to the club.
We know you don’t need convincing; you need options. To that end, we’ve grouped together the very best you can buy in 2023 across every available alcohol category: we’re talking sparkling wine, as well as red and white, beer, whisky, gin, rum and tequila.
A word to the wise: if you see one you or a loved one might like, don’t hang around. Once they’re gone - they’re gone.
Shop the best alcohol advent calendars below
Best advent calendars for creative kids
Best whisky advent calendars of 2023 to enjoy a festive dram
Best gifts for Christmas 2023: Ideas for the whole family
Best alternative advent calendars for Christmas 2023: Non-chocolate pressies for adults
Best beauty advent calendars of 2023: Which to buy and what products are included
F&M Spirits & Liqueurs Advent Calendar
If you've waited until December to land yourself a discounted advent calendar, your wily ways have paid off. Retailers are striking through the original RRPs and offering hefty discounts on their offerings this year. Even Fortnum's has got in on the act, dropping the price of its booze-laden Spirits & Liqueurs Advent Calendar. The 25-window design is your festive minibar, stocked with everything from Scotch whisky (including a 20cl bottle) to flavoured gin and vodka.
Was: £255
Buy now £168.75, F&M
Best whisky advent calendars for 2023
There’s nothing like a wee glug of firewater to warm your cockles on a cold December evening.
Find the full list of whisky advent calendars here.
Drinks by the Dram World Whisky Advent Calendar (2023 Edition)
Though purists would argue that Scottish whisky is the OG, the spirit has been embraced the world over. This constellation-patterned advent offers a global perspective on the drink, presenting 24 x 30ml wax-sealed drams in advent calendar form. Prepare to explore booze from every corner of the globe.
Buy now £149.95, Master of Malt
Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar (2023 Edition)
If you’re looking for an extra special advent countdown this year, this epic advent calendar won’t fail to hit the sweet spot. It not only features a stylish design, but it holds some of the most exclusive, elusive and high-quality whiskies on the planet.
Sit down to sip on something new every day until December 25 (with the included Glencairn tasting glass, no less) with 24 x 30ml drams from some of the most revered distilleries on Earth.
Buy now £999.95, Master of Malt
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Savour the 12 Drams of Christmas calendar
It really is Christmas over at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society; you need only to look at its advent calendar for confirmation. The line-up consists of a dozen cask-strength drams from distilleries all over Scotland, each a pleasing 50ml a go (most competitors offer 30ml).
The twist? All distilleries are kept secret and given descriptive names so you can focus on the spirit in your glass, rather than be blinkered by branding or prestige. As a bonus gift, you will also get a year's membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, allowing you to delve further into your whisky journey.
Buy now £149.00, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Drinks by the Dram Single Cask Whisky Advent Calendar
Serving up another journey into the exquisiteness of whisky, Drinks by the Drams presents this calendar dedicated to unearthing delicious single-cask whiskies.
The design, covered in a rustic wood print, includes 24 different wax-sealed glass drams by 22 distilleries from three nations.
Available for delivery from September 1.
Buy now £249.95, Master of Malt
Best gin advent calendars for 2023
Gin-gle all the way.
Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar - now half price!
Uncover a world of G&T miniatures to round off each December day until the biggie. Fever-Tree has paired its tonic flavours with popular gin producers so you can try something different to your usual mix. Feel like having a day off? Why not save the pairings for the journey home, or use to fill out adult stockings?
Was: £65
Buy now £32.50, Ocado
Craft Gin Club Advent Calendar 2023
Craft Gin Club is back to make 2023’s festive season your merriest yet with its stupendously popular advent calendar featuring a line-up of 25 mini gins. Hailing from master distilleries all over the world as well as the UK, expect classic London Dry as well as seven exclusive gins made just for the brand. Each calendar will even include cocktail recipes - think a ‘Claus-mopolitan’, a ‘Festive Snowball’ and a ‘Sloe Gin Negroni’ - to take your seasonal serves to new heights.
And if you’re looking for new mixers to pair with the latest members of your gin collection, Craft Gin Club is also making a ‘pairing bundle’ of mixers and garnishes to accompany its flagship boozy advent calendar (£39.95 or £37.95 for members).
Pre-orders are open now, with deliveries sent from October and you can pay via Klarna to make the purchase lighter on your wallet.
Buy now £94.95, Craft Gin Club
Gin Advent Calendar - Premium Edition (2023 Edition) [Art Deco]
There are four design options available for this advent calendar, but our heads are turned by this stunning Art Deco style, a glamorous alternative to the usual Christmassy fare. Perfect for an elegant gin fan, you’ll find some familiar names inside the 24 windows - and a few curveballs too, to keep you on your toes.
Buy now £89.95, Master of Malt
Virgin Wines Gin Advent Calendar 2023
Virgin Wines may be understandably better known for its fermented grape-packed advent, but such is its popularity that the brand has spun off other boozy versions. Thank goodness we say, because this calendar has us beside ourselves with excitement for December 1.
Housed in a festive green box, the boutique selection brings together a truly epic variety to enjoy all the way up to Christmas Day: think London Dry Old Tom, Navy and flavoured gins.
It’s available to pre-order now with a deposit of only £10 and delivery from November.
Buy now £99.99, Virgin Wines
Craft Gin Advent Calendar (2023 Edition)
Craft gin, made slowly and with the utmost care, is here to be savoured in this advent calendar from Drinks by the Dram. The 24 x 30cl vials include homegrown varieties as well as Continental gins, allowing you to explore the alcohol while learning more about the juniper-spiked spirit.
Buy now £69.95, Master of Malt
Best wine advent calendars for 2023
It’s the end of the year, and all bets are off. Countdown to the big day in style with a red, white, rose or sparkling wine advent! Feast on the full list here.
Laithwaites Wine Advent Calendar Mix
A box full of wine is bound to go down a treat, even if you've missed the December 1 advent-opening start point. Laithwaites has packed in shop favourites and new discoveries across red and white in a handsomely decorated box. The highlight? A full bottle of Prosecco to share on Christmas Eve.
Was: £99.99.
Buy now £69.99, Laithwaites
Tipsy Tree Alcohol Advent Calendar
Countdown to Christmas in the best way with this refillable tree advent calendar. The free-standing wooden tree will fit seamlessly with your seasonal décor and can become the focal point for your presents if a real tree is not feasible or space-efficient.
It comes alongside a box filled with mini 20cl bottles of fizz for you to pop in the numbered holes in the order of your choice. The selection includes the likes of Bottega, Accademia Moscato Spumante and Laurent Perrier Brut for the big day. Re-use the tree for next year.
Buy now £179.95, NOTHS
John Lewis Cocktails Advent Calendar
Shake things up with a sip of something different this Christmas. John Lewis has gathered all our favourite pre-mixed cocktail tinnies in a calendar to help you on your merry way to December 25. Find serves like MOTH, Tom Savano, East London Liquor Co., Funkin and more.
Buy now £125.00, John Lewis
Tapp'd Christmas Cocktail Countdown Box
Why make your own festive cocktail each night when Tapp'd will deliver happy hour for you? The bottled cocktail expert has released a 12-window advent calendar to keep you suitably hydrated all the way until Christmas Day. The selection includes canned and bottled pre-mixed drinks and accessories like a shaker and bottle opener to delight the barfly in your life.
Buy now £40.00, Tapp'd
