NOW EXPERIENCING:The best new drinks of 2022
Hit List|Australian Wheat Ale|Wine|Pinot Noir

The best new drinks of 2022

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 15 Dec 2022

By
Emily Reed

They came, they saw, they quickly made their way into our eskies, fridges and cocktail cabinets.

2022: it was the year Harry Styles gifted us a (damn catchy) new album, Bennifer had a resurgence, and Tom Cruise decided to play Maverick again. It was also the year that we cracked, popped, poured and shared some exciting new beverages that have already made their mark in the short time they’ve been sitting on our shelves. See if any of your standouts made the list below.
Pet Nat

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1. Small Island Wines Pet Nat

There’s so much to love about Small Island Wines, a micro-batch Tasmanian wine company founded by James Broinowski in 2015. Fun fact: he launched it after raising the money via a successful crowd-funding campaign through Kickstarter. Whether you’re new to natty or a seasoned pro, this carbon neutral (yep, you read that right) wine is pure and refreshing – and is made without the addition of sulphur. It brings together two grape varieties, schonburger – which is grown predominately in Germany but thrives in a cool climate like Tassie – and chardonnay. It’s got citrus and grapefruit notes, as well as some delicate hints of white flowers. Enjoy it chilled on a warm day. We certainly will be.

2. Chateul Soorok Lychee 14%

You’ve seen Parasite, you’ve bopped to BTS and now you can do both while sipping on Korean Chateul Soorok soju. Australia went wild for this stuff in 2022, and we weren’t surprised. Produced using a natural bamboo charcoal purification process, this well-loved brand of soju made with pure and natural spring water comes in ten different flavours. Our pick is the lychee. Try garnishing a glass of it with actual lychee for an extra hit of fresh fragrance while you enjoy its warm texture. A soju that’s basically dessert in a drink? We can totally get on board with that. Geonbae!

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3. Lumen Lager

There’s a reason this beer is a little dark and moody – the bottle is black so no harsh Australian sunlight can permeate the glass and adversely impact this classic beer's superior taste and freshness. Now that’s commitment to a great-tasting lager! Any lager lover will appreciate this and its premium hops and brewing methods; on the nose, it exhibits subtle hints of malt with notes of citrus tropical fruit and slight earth hop aromas, while the fresh and crisp palate sings with tropical floral hops and a delicate bitterness. We’re blessed to live in a country that producers plenty of great beers, but this was a highlight.

4. Billson's Vodka Peaches & Cream

Beechworth Bakery isn’t the only thing that came out of Beechworth – Billson's was born there, too! In fact, the pure alpine spring water used in this triple-distilled vodka is sourced from a well in Beechworth. One of many flavours on offer, Peaches & Cream is perfectly blended with classic soda and made from the finest local ingredients to create a light, sparkling mixed spirit that’s ready to enjoy (and be packed in your picnic basket this weekend). Premixed cocktails in a can went off this year, and we reckon it’s only going to continue.

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Prosecco

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5. Porta Dante Organic Prosecco

We firmly believe prosecco should be a year-round drink and this prosecco, made from organically grown grapes picked at their peak maturity and vinified at low temperatures, is a fan favourite. It’s lively and has a luminescent yellow colour that appears to twinkle in the glass (enjoy it on a picnic in the sunshine to see what we mean). The process to create this is quite meticulous, and for good reason, it ensures the delicate stone fruit, ripe golden delicious apples, citrus and honeysuckle flavours can really sing; the palate is pristine, long and cleansing. A great drop to enjoy alone or added to your Aperol Spritz, if that’s how you prosecco. 

6. Spice Parlour Ginger Beer Mojito

Alright! Now the party is really ramping up! A Ginger Beer Mojito sounds like fun, right? Turns out it tastes fun, too. Spice Parlour took ginger beer and combined it with a premium spirit, plus natural lime and mint, so that 2022 could be the year you became a Ginger Beer Mojito fan. Try it served over ice with a slice of lime if you’re feeling fancy, or straight from the can if you’re frolicking in the backyard. Tastes like summer, and we’re here for it. 

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7. Mountain Goat Aussie Wheat Beer

You wanted a wheat beer that wouldn’t weigh you down – Mountain Goat delivered with an entirely new style of beer. And they weren’t the only brewers to throw their hat in the Australian Wheat Ale ring; Pirate Life and Green Beacon are doing it too, proving there’s a thirst for a refreshing, modern take on an old classic. Aussie Wheat Beer is more approachable compared to traditional wheat beers, and something entirely our own. You’ll enjoy its slightly hazy vibe, notes of mandarin and pear, and a crisp finish that's all kinds of refreshing. This is a wheat beer for a whole new generation of drinkers and is also made with locally-grown wheat.

8. Paringa Estate Robinson Vineyard Pinot Noir

This delightful pinot noir has intense aromas of dark cherry and spice leading onto a palate which has a solid core of dark cherry fruit, firm tannins and a long savoury finish. If that means nothing to you, just know it’s delicious. It came about when Paringa Estate owner and winemaker Lindsay McCall and Dr. Hugh Robinson, a highly respected viticulturist, decided to produce a special single vineyard wine. We’re talking only 128 dozen bottles produced special. The Robinson Vineyard is based in Tuerong on the Mornington Peninsula and Lindsay named the wine after it to pay her respects to Hugh's efforts for growing such great quality fruit. Paringa Estate is a well-known producer who has helped put the region on the map; their cellar door and restaurant are a highlight for anyone venturing to the area – and the view over the vines is something else.

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9. Pearse Lyons Founder's Choice 12 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey

Pearse Lyons aged this Irish whiskey in bourbon casks for 12 years so its notes would develop to orchard fruits of white peach, apple and pear – and 2022 was the year it finally made it into our glasses. It was worth the wait, too, with citrusy hints of lemon, dried orange and honeysuckle that are positively delicious. In the mouth, these flavours evolve, giving way to a silky vanilla palate with spiced pear and warming notes of ginger and clove to finish. Enjoy this neat – this one is too good to mix.

10. Brookvale Union Vodka Lemon Squash Cans

These were everywhere this year. We couldn’t swing a cat without seeing the cheeky cockatoo that graces the can. You know that familiar taste of a pub squash at your local? This is like that, but with 6.0% alcohol and less sugar. It’s full-flavoured, lemony (thanks to real lemon juice!), refreshing and a great drink of choice on a hot afternoon out in the sun. Or an alternative to a plain old vodka lime and soda  – why choose that when you can crack a can of this zesty deliciousness? It’s the Aussie thing to do.

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11. Doña Celia 'Blue Dress' Blanco Tequila

And the prize for the best-looking tequila we’ve seen lately goes to… you guessed it! Doña Celia is a premium 100% Blue Weber agave tequila presented in a hand-painted, ceramic bottle reminiscent of the famous Mexican Catrina. A little about Catrina – she’s often spotted around Mexico, especially during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivals. Pop this on your cocktail trolley or shelf at home and we guarantee it’ll be a talking point as you shake up a couple of Spicy Margs. It’s unaged and bottled after a second distillation to keep its natural characteristics together with transparency and brightness. Expect lifted, floral and savoury characteristics.
Shop related products
Paringa EstateRobinson Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • product badge
Robinson Vineyard Pinot Noir
$75 each
 
Porta DanteOrganic Prosecco
  • product badge
Organic Prosecco
$21.99 each
 
LumenAustralian Lager Bottles 330mL
Australian Lager Bottles 330mL
$65.99 case (24)
 
Spice PalourGinger Beer Mojito 330mL
Ginger Beer Mojito 330mL
$142.69 case (24)
 
Mountain GoatAussie Wheat Beer Can 375ml
Aussie Wheat Beer Can 375ml
$21.89 pack (6)
 
image credits: Charlie Hawks
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
Tags
Hit ListPet NatWhisk(e)yBeerTequilaPre-batched cocktailsLagerWineSpiritsProseccoPremixAustralian Wheat AleSojuPinot Noir
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