Take it from us… Advent calendars aren’t all about chocolate. Sure, a daily square of sweet stuff is nice, but December deserves a little more variety (and a lot more fun). From miniature bottles of top-shelf wine and gin to rare coffees, indulgent hot chocolates, and craft beers, there’s a whole world of festive treats waiting behind those little doors. Here’s our top picks:

Drink Advent Calendars: Alcoholic

1. For the Wannabe Sommeliers: Laithwaites

The Lowdown: Few calendars have hit iconic status quite like Laithwhaites. This one has won countless awards, topped every list going, and most importantly, made every December for us one hell of a party. Featuring 23x 187ml bottles of red, white and rose miniatures along with a full-size prosecco for Christmas Day, it’s the perfect choice to not only get you in the festive spirit, but also expand your wine knowledge. Win win (or should we say Vin Vin).

Where: Available on Laithwaites (£99)

2. For the Vino Lover: Virgin Wines 

The Lowdown: Virgin Wines have quietly nailed the ‘grown-up advent calendar’ vibe. This year’s edition is genuinely impressive: 24 mini bottles to ease you through December, all from independent winemakers and featuring a few new faces that haven’t appeared in their calendars before. Then, for Christmas Day, you get a full-size limited-edition anniversary bottle; a nice touch, and honestly, the sort of thing you’ll want to open before lunch. You can pick from three versions too: Red, White & Rosé, or Mixed if you want a bit of everything.

Where: Virgin website here (£99.99)

3. For Drink Pairings: Fever-Tree 

The Lowdown: This one is basically December made easy. Fever-Tree have put together a calendar that does all the thinking for you: 24 little doors, each hiding either one of their mixers or a mini spirit, so every couple of days you get a ready-made drink combo without having to rummage through your cupboards wondering what goes with what.

Where: Online at John Lewis (£70)

4. For the Craft Beer Fan: Vocation

The Lowdown: Vocation has gone all-in this year with a 24-beer advent calendar that’s a tour of everything they do best. If you’re even vaguely into craft beer, this one’s a bit of a no-brainer. You get the full spectrum – lagers, IPAs, big dessert-y stouts – all bundled into a line-up that somehow covers ‘quiet Tuesday night’ and ‘festive chaos with mates’ in one box.

Where: Online at Vocation (£80)

5. For Winter Warmers: The Whisky Exchange 

The Lowdown: If you like your advent calendars a bit more grown-up, The Whisky Exchange have absolutely nailed it with their Spirits of the World edition. The whisky line-up alone is pretty impressive: Glenfarclas, Laphroaig, Dailuaine, Kavalan, and even Ichiro’s Malt for the Japanese whisky fans. Then you’ve got the rest of the spirits world joining the party, with names like Hendrick’s and Frapin popping up along the way.

Where: Online at The Whisky Exchange (£99.95)

6. For G&Ts: Drinks by the Dram

The Lowdown: Gin lovers, this one’s for you. The Premium Edition of Drinks by the Dram’s Gin Advent Calendar is basically 25 little doors of joy, each hiding a 30ml wax-sealed measure of top-shelf juniper-based brilliance. From classic London Dry to exciting contemporary gins, every dram is sourced from some of the finest producers around

Where: Online here (£99)

Drink Advent Calendars: Non-Alcoholic

7. For the Chocolate Fiends: YAWN 

The Lowdown: If December for you isn’t complete without a mug of something warm and indulgent, YAWN’s Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar is pretty much the dream. It’s got that same cosy energy as sticking on The Polar Express… that scene where everyone’s handed steaming cups of hot chocolate by the conductor (a la Tom Hanks) and it just feels peak Christmas.

Where: Online here (£29.99)

8. For a Proper Brew: English Tea Shop

The Lowdown: Who doesn’t love a good cuppa, eh? This book-style Night Advent Calendar is basically an excuse to wind down every evening with something soothing and festive. Each day you open a little ‘chapter’ to find a new blend; all made from proper, good-quality ingredients that are sustainably farmed and ethically sourced. Someone pop the kettle on stat.

Where: Online here (£29.99)

9. For Fancy French Tea: Mariage Freres

The Lowdown: If you’ve got a tea lover in your life (or *are* the tea lover in your life), this one is a bit of a showstopper. The Mariage Frères advent calendar feels like opening a tiny present every day. There are 25 doors to open, each hiding a different muslin-wrapped teabag from their iconic range. One day you might get a rooibos or chamomile, the next something a little unexpected, like Blue Caramel Tea or their intensely coloured Purple Tea.

Where: Online here (£49)

10. For a Caffeine Hit: Pact 

The Lowdown: Who says a countdown needs to be 25 days to be good? Pact’s 12 Days of Coffee proves that quality beats quantity. You get 12 speciality coffees from growers who really know their craft, all single-origin, directly sourced from small-scale farms and roasted with care. Each sachet is 18g and comes as wholebean or omni-grind, so whether you’re using a cafetiere, stovetop espresso, or drip filter, you’re covered.

Where: Online here (£24.95)