Beauty editor and shopping writer Laura Mulley has tried and tested dozens of advent calendars this year, and this unusual offering is one of the one that’s got her most excited
As a shopping expert I’m lucky enough to get to peek inside lots of different advent calendars ahead of December – including loads of the best beauty advent calendars – to see which ones are really worth the money. Once reviewed, I’ve given a lot of them away to grateful friends and family members, but this is one that I’ll definitely be keeping for myself as it’s a really unique treat – and you can still buy it in time for December.
I’m a big fan of Nio’s tasty and innovative letterbox cocktails, and this year the brand has launched a 12 Moments To Share Advent Calendar, containing 24 of its popular single-serve pre-mixed cocktails. It usually costs £135 (which includes delivery) but for Black Friday, shoppers can save £15 on orders over £50, taking it down to £120; that’s far cheaper than a cocktail at a bar.
Here’s why I like the Nio Advent Calendar so much…
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Pros
- You get two cocktail behind every door, meaning you can share the daily treat
- Cocktails are delicious
- Contains several festive or unique cocktail flavours you might not have tried before
- Perfect for the festive season
- A great gift for a foodie
Cons
- Not the cheapest
- Not all of the cocktails may be to your tastes
- Box is quite flimsy and can’t really be reused
I’ve tried and loved lots of Nio’s postbox-sized cocktails in the past – they do both the classics and limited-edition recipes really well – and I find the single-serve measures not only stack up neatly in the fridge but are also super handy if you just want one (or two) drinks without the faff of mixing them from scratch – so this unique calendar was right up my street.
Although there are only 12 doors instead of the usual 24, you actually get 24 cocktails inside as each drawer contains two serves. I love this idea, as it means that you can share the treat with someone, perhaps enjoying a drink while cooking dinner or watching TV. It also means that this advent calendar would make a great gift for a couple, or two people living together.
The cocktails themselves are also super tasty, including classics such as margaritas (my favourite) and Old Fashioneds as well as seasonal flavours including a Snow Daiquiri and and a Winter Sidecar. There’s even a lower alcohol margarita inside, for a night when you want to ease off the alcohol (a little bit). It’s worth noting that Nio cocktails are all short (100ml) and pretty strong, so perhaps not for you if you prefer a big glass of something easy to drink!
Here’s exactly what’s inside:
- 2 x Winter Sidecar / 24.2% ABV
- 2 x Cosmopolitan / 22.0% ABV
- 2 x Margarita NEXT / 10.8% ABV
- 2 x Negroni / 22.0% ABV
- 2 x Espresso Martini / 25.7% ABV
- 2 x Christmas Margarita / 22.2% ABV
- 2 x Disaronno Sour / 16.8% ABV
- 2 x Cuban Negroni / 24.4% ABV
- 2 x Old Fashioned / 29.5% ABV
- 2 x Gin Proved / 20.2% ABV
- 2 x Revolver / 28.8% ABV
- 2 x Snow Daiquiri
The one minor downside, which I see that a couple of other customers have remarked about online, is the packaging. While the box is very smart-looking and compact, the drawers are a bit fiddly to open, and are too flimsy to be used again.
All in all, though, if you’re looking for an advent calendar for something who loves food or drink – or who loves getting in the Christmas ‘spirit’ – this Nio advent calendar is a winner. Order before Friday and you’ll get free next day DPD delivery too, arriving just in time to crack it open on 1 December.
Another foodie favourite I love this year is Nespresso’s coffee pods advent calendar, available in both Vertuo and Original, giving you a new flavour of coffee to try every day.
And for the ultimate treat, Fortnum & Mason’s Fortnum’s Feasting Advent Calendar takes some beating, and is now reduced from £175 to £150.