Birthday, housewarming, anniversary, ju jitsu competition – we’ve got every occasion covered.
There’s always someone in your life who makes gift-giving tougher than a Wordle with no vowels. Either they buy everything themselves, insist they want nothing, or are so rigid in their preferences that you’re staring down the barrel of giving Gold Class tickets for the fifth time. But we firmly believe there’s a perfect gift for every friend, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg.
Whether you’re buying for a fussy friend, an avid gardener or that mate who’s always planning the next trek, we’ve got their number (and these excellent drinkable gifts). We’ve rounded up the presents they’ll be stoked to receive and you’ll be chuffed to give, no matter the occasion. Consider this your year-round gift-giving cheat sheet.
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1. For the home cook
Bottle to gift: Tatachilla Rougie Vie Pinot Noir
They may only cook for friends and family at home, but they have the opinions and preferences of a Michelin-star chef. From knife sharpening to the correct way to deglaze a pan, they are steadfast, and any gift you give them has to align. Enter the Tatachilla Rougie Vie Pinot Noir — an elegant, food-friendly red that holds its own and absolutely punches above its price. Light-bodied with cherry and earthy notes, this pinot is a cook's best friend in the kitchen, too. It's silky enough to drink while they're stirring, and structured enough to reduce beautifully and complete a sauce.
How to serve: Slightly chilled (around 14–16°C) in a wide-bowled glass to let those red-fruit aromas breathe. It can also help to unscrew the top, pop it on the bench and let it open while dinner is cooking.
Bundle it: Pair this with a good cookbook — think Hetty Lui McKinnon, Yotam Ottolenghi or Julia Busuttil Nishimura. If this person already has a healthy home library, opt for seasonal, organic produce. They’ll appreciate a healthy bunch of radishes more than roses.
2. For the gardener
Bottle to gift: Archie Rose Mountain Yuzu Gin
Gardeners find genuine joy in dirt – they cut their own hydrangeas and know the difference between mulch and wood chips. So, when it comes to gifts, you want something to match their appreciation for the botanical and the beautiful, and Archie Rose Mountain Yuzu Gin is exactly that. Made with the fragrant Japanese citrus that sits somewhere between grapefruit and mandarin, this yuzu gin is bright, aromatic and a little unexpected.
How to serve: Mix up a post-gardening G&T. Fill a tall glass with ice, add 45mL of the gin, top with a quality tonic (we recommend Fever-Tree Mediterranean), and garnish with a strip of yuzu or grapefruit peel and a sprig of homegrown thyme. It's a garden in a glass.
Bundle it: Add to this some gardening gloves (green thumbs always need more), or a big bag of organic cow manure, depending on what kind of friendship you have.
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3. For the baker
Bottle to gift: Paesano Almond Cream Liqueur
The baker is methodical, patient and quietly obsessed with getting things exactly right. They’ve dog-eared their recipe books and their kitchen always smells incredible. What they need is a gift that works on two levels – something to sip while they bake that can also be folded into their creations. Enter Paesano Almond Cream Liqueur. Rich and indulgent with a marzipan warmth, this is the kind of bottle that disappears fast – into tiramisu, into buttercream and into a post-dinner glass over ice.
How to serve: On its own over ice, or splash it through a coffee for an easy dessert drink. For a slightly fancier moment, mix it with cold milk or oat milk and a pinch of cinnamon.
Bundle it: Pair this with a vanilla bean paste from the grocer, a new tart tin, or a Patreon subscription to their favourite baking podcast – yes, that’s a thing.
4. For the adventurer
Beer to gift: Mountain Culture Beer Co. x BentSpoke Full Suspension IPA
Just when you think the adventurer in your life is thinking about taking it easy, they come out with, “I’m thinking of going to Patagonia to do the O Circuit in Torres del Paine.” They’re always up a trail, at a festival, in the surf or getting more gear for something that sounds cold, hard or, at the least, uncomfortable. A well-chosen four-pack is ideal for someone who always has somewhere else to be. Mountain Culture Beer Co. x BentSpoke Full Suspension IPA is a collab between two of Australia's best-loved craft breweries, and it shows. Expect bold hop character, tropical fruit notes and the kind of drinkability that will completely win them over.
How to serve: Cold, straight from the can, ideally while planning the next adventure.
Bundle it: Chuck it in a small cooler bag with some good beef jerky. They can take it on their next trek and think of you at the end of a big day of hiking, climbing or whatever it is they’re into.
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5. For the sweet tooth
Bottle to gift: Brookie’s Mac. Liqueur
This is for the friend who reads the desserts on a menu first, who stockpiles good chocolate, and whose ideal night-in involves a selection of sweet treats. Brookie's Mac. Liqueur, made from macadamias grown in the Byron Bay hinterland, is smooth, rich and sweet, and it’s going to make them very happy. It’s the kind of liqueur to sip and savour, which means this is the gift that keeps on giving.
How to serve: Straight over ice is the move here, or pour it over vanilla ice cream for a next-level affogato situation. It’s also yum in a milkshake for grown-ups (homemade or acquired at the drive-thru – that’s up to you).
Bundle it: A block of good dark chocolate (think Zokoko or Bahen & Co.) to go with this makes a winning combo.
6. For the aspiring mixologist
Bottle to gift: Appleton Estate Signature Blend Jamaica Rum
They have a bar cart, a jigger they actually use, and ready-to-pour batched Negronis in the freezer. They’re the friend who turns pre-dinner drinks into the main event, so what they need is a bottle with character, like Appleton Estate Signature Blend. This is a classic Jamaican rum with warm vanilla, orange peel and a hint of oak. It’s complex enough to sip neat, but versatile enough to anchor some seriously good cocktails. This is one of those whiskey-adjacent, spirit-forward gifts that works for anyone who takes their home bar seriously.
How to serve: Try a classic Rum Sour or Jungle Bird. Both are shaken with ice and garnished with citrus or pineapple.
Bundle it: A quality cocktail recipe book (ahem, The Dan’s Cocktail Book) or a set of nice coupes makes this a very considered gift. Go you.
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7. For the matcha and pilates pal
Bottle to gift: NOOT Functional Non-Alc Italian Aperitivo
This early bird is at pilates before most people have hit snooze, and they’re weirdly cheerful about it. They’re the friend who does Dry July, tracks their HRV, and orders sparkling water without making a whole thing about it. The best gift? Something to fit their lifestyle they don’t know about yet. NOOT Functional Non-Alc Italian Aperitivo is one of the most exciting things to happen to the non-alc space. It’s sophisticated, beautifully packaged and tastes great in a bitter, herbal and complex way that holds up.
How to serve: Over ice with good tonic or soda and a slice of blood orange. It’s the kind of drink that looks as good as it tastes – perfect for this person’s tasteful TikTok.
Bundle it: A beautiful glass, some fancy mineral water, or a small citrus press alongside this makes it feel complete.
8. For the cinephile
Cocktail to make: Kalimotxo
The cinephile has a Letterboxd, still talks about Blu-Ray, and has new film recos every time you see them. They’re the friend who makes movie nights feel like an event, so mix them a drink to go with it. The Kalimotxo (kali-mo-cho) is a classic Basque drink of equal parts red wine and cola that’s been enjoyed across Spain for decades. It’s a little unexpected and genuinely delicious. It’s also the kind of thing that sparks a conversation, which is very on-brand for this movie buff. Even better, the bottle of red (we’re into the Little Giant Tempranillo in this mix) and cola required for this drink will look way more thoughtful than what you actually spent.
How to serve: Half red wine, half cola over plenty of ice in a tall glass. Simple. Some people add a squeeze of lemon.
Bundle it: A popcorn machine. You know they want it.
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