Boozy Christmas gift ideas for people who like to drink
Add a splash of drinks-related fun to the Christmas stocking this year.
The Lost Explorer Mezcal, $130
Mezcal is so hot right now. Artisan distiller Don Fortino Ramos makes The Lost Explorer Mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico, alongside his daughter Xitlali (a second generation mezcalera). The family replants at least three agave plants for each one harvested and the sexy Mexico-made bottles are created from recycled crystal scraps before being hand-labelled and sealed with natural beeswax. Choose between the award-winning slightly sweet, herbaceous Espadin, the earthy Tobala and the super herbaceous Salmiana. Stunning. Sip slowly or enjoy in a spritz, or cocktails such as the Paloma.
Dan Murphy's and thelostexplorermezcal.com
Drinkable snow dome, $150
Remember the mesmerising allure of lava lamps? This mind-boggling gin is equally entrancing. The Wild Hibiscus Distilling Co. Finger Lime Gin is quite the spectacle. Pearl-like finger lime caviar is suspended in the liquid (a feat that required years of research) and when poured flutters like snow on the breeze. The magical scene makes for a great conversation starter and the punchy flavours (kaffir lime and lemon) beg for mixers. While you're on the novelty train, check out the Gingle Bells Gin Baubles (gin filled-Christmas decorations, $79/six-pack).
Dan Murphy's and ginglebellsgin.com
Liquid pud, $99
We've got distiller Brett "Doogie" Christophers to thank for the limited-edition Kangaroo Island Spirits Spiced Pudding Gin. Doogie was a baker for a quarter of a century before distilling stole his heart. The gin delivers cockle-warming aromas of cloves, mixed spice, cinnamon and dried fruit. Sugar and spice and all things nice. Drink it neat or drizzle over festive pudding or ice-cream. The packaging looks like a naff knitted Christmas jumper – genius.
Grape Face Toniq, $140
We don't all enjoy a tipple, so give the gift of grapes you can wear this silly season. Australian winemaker Susan Mickan launched skincare company Vitis V in mid-2022 with grapeseed oil as the focus. The cold-pressed Face Toniq is made using grape seed oil and grape seed extract (she sources sparkling and white varietal grape seeds which have not undergone any fermentation process). Hailing from the Barossa, it only contains plant materials and is not tested on animals. It's a day (and face) saver. I'm obsessed.
Book it
One for bookworms. Melbourne-based author Tom Crago's Grand Crew ($25) is a love letter to Australian food and wine. The rollicking read spans Australia, Paris and Italy, and is a little hedonistic and highly entertaining. Meanwhile, novel Weekends With Matt ($35) by co-authors Peter Coleman and Matt Fowles is a story of mateship built through wine. It's a bit like eavesdropping on a conversation between pals.
Find them at major book stores.
Go, go gadget, $360
Any wine nerd will tell you a great bottle of wine is best savoured. This nifty gadget lets you access wine (bit by bit) from any bottle, while preserving the remaining wine for months. The new Gemstone Collection is spiffy. Choose from jewel-inspired tones of anthracite, dark amethyst, and deep emerald.
