Decorations are going up and it’s time to sleigh the season with some festive sips!

We’ve hand-selected some of the most interesting and festive drinks to hit Australian shelves in the lead-up to Christmas this year. Some are quirky, others indulgent, but all are jam-packed with holiday cheer.

There’s no time quite like Christmas for gathering family and friends and toasting the year that was. And there are no drinks quite like these newcomers to make the moment unforgettable.

Let’s take a closer look!

Australian Christmas Gin

From Four Pillars, Australian Christmas Gin ($100) is a special sip that touches on all of the best flavours of Christmas.

Co-founder of Four Pillars, Cameron Mackenzie, distilled all of the ingredients used in his family’s cherished Christmas pudding recipe, and then aged it in Rutherglen Muscat barrels for one year. The result is a juniper-rich gin with glorious hints of cinnamon and sweetness.

Crochet artist, Trevor Smith, designed the vintage-style label.

Gin Baubles

Super popular amongst drinks gifters, Gin Baubles ($79) from Gingle Bells come in beautifully packaged sets of six. Each bauble contains 50ml of premium gin and includes: Finger Lime Gin Snow Dome, Pepperberry Spicy Gin, Snowflower and Passionfruit Gin, Wattleseed Chocolately Gin, Wild Hibiscus Flower and Ginger Gin, and finally, Elderflower and Butterfly Pea Flower Gin.

And psst! If you buy five sets, you get one FREE!

Christmas Release Single Malt Whiskey

From Old Kempton Distillery, this Christmas Release Single Malt Whiskey ($155) combines the aromas of malt, dates, oak, orange peel and cherries with a toffee-sweet finish and a touch of char. Consider it a nod to all your favourite traditional Christmas fare, including plum pudding and Florentines.

It combines four tawny casks: two matured for approximately six years and two younger casks for added brightness.

Options include a 500ml bottle ($155) and 50ml sampler ($18.50), both limited release, so don’t walk – run!

Christmas Ale

Crafted in the tradition of Belgian breweries, Red Hill Brewery’s Christmas Ale ($158 per case) is rich in both colour and taste.

It’s brewed with extra-long maturation and balances spicy hops with a malty finish.

Home delivery is available, or if time allows, take a drive from Melbourne and visit the Mornington Peninsula’s original craft brewery for yourself.

Signature Christmas Gin

Handcrafted on the Sunshine Coast by Pomona Distilling Co., Signature Christmas Gin ($89) contains organic and locally grown native botanicals.

Like the essence of Christmas, it boasts the traditional flavours of raisin, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange peel. And it’s just as delicious on its own as it is with a splash of lemonade or soda.

Candy Cane Vodka

Back by popular demand in 2024, Candy Cane Vodka ($70) is destined to sell fast.

Try it over ice, with mixers like lemonade and soda – or add a splash to cocktails for a Christmassy spin on the classics.

The production run includes just 50 bottles, so move fast to snaffle one.

Spiced Christmas Liqueur

Proudly made by Tamborine Mountain Distillery, Spiced Christmas Liqueur (from $15) captures the spirit and taste of the holiday season.

Expect to find a medley of quintessentially festive spices in this drop. Cinnamon, spiced honey, nutmeg, clove and vanilla are all harmoniously blended with matured rum for full flavour.

Top image: Newy Distillery

Seen a festive sip that you’d love to share? Leave a comment below!

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