The festive season is upon us, and out come the exclusive, special bottles – be it fiery whiskies, elegant champagnes, unique gins, or fine wines. Not only are these staples of the holiday table, but they also make brilliant gifts. We've rounded up seven spots to snag your favourite holiday tipples.
GinShop
As the name might give away, when it comes to gin, there's no better place to visit than the impressive GinShop near the Great Market Hall. Here, you'll find hundreds of gins and tonics to choose from – plus plenty of other drinks lining the shelves, as the selection is truly massive. Whether hunting for a gift for family, friends, colleagues, or even yourself, you're spoilt for choice. A lovely gin spice set, a gin-and-tonic gift box, a voucher for gin tasting, or quirky accessories like tote bags, gin-and-tonic-flavoured chocolates, or premium tools all make fantastic picks. Browse the website, or if you're feeling a bit lost in the wide world of gins, let the experts guide you at the shop.
GoodSpirit webshop and stores
A fine whisky is not only a holiday must-have, but it also makes for a fantastic gift. That's why it's worth exploring the GoodSpirit online store or popping into one of their shops, where you'll find thousands of premium spirits to choose from. The selection isn't just limited to whisky – they also offer a wide range of gins, rums, cognacs, tequilas, wines, champagnes, and pálinka. Plus, you can regularly find fantastic deals and discounts. Right now, they're offering wonderful Christmas specials and gift sets, including beautifully packaged spirits and unique glassware. If online shopping isn't your thing, you can also pick up your drinks in person near Kálvin tér or other locations. Wherever you go, you'll be assisted by friendly, knowledgeable staff. To make your decision a little easier, if whisky's your thing, we recommend the Scottish Arran, Kilchoman, and Glenfarclas, the Irish Teeling, and the Japanese Nikka. For rum, check out the new releases from Planteray, and for gin, you can't go wrong with the classic Bobby's, Nordest, Citadelle, or Isle of Harris. And if you're looking to give the gift of an experience, they're already offering tastings for next year!
iDrinks
With one of the country's largest and ever-expanding premium drink collections, iDrinks is here to make holiday preparations and gift shopping a lot easier. Each week, you can browse hundreds of exclusive products at discounted prices, and you won't need to worry about holiday favourites running out – their vast stock ensures that everything will be available, even now. Beyond popular spirits like whisky, rum, gin, and tequila, iDrinks also offers an outstanding selection of wines, liqueurs, and champagnes to suit every taste. You'll also find handy accessories, exclusive premium gift sets, and gift vouchers. In all three stores, you'll find expert staff ready to answer any questions. But their website is also easy to navigate, with detailed product descriptions to help you. In over 12 years, they've won multiple awards, including several 'Store of the Year' titles. As a little recommendation, we suggest trying the smooth Irish whisky liqueur Shanky's Whip, the Takamara rum, and the Harahorn gin.
Mr. Alkohol
Browsing through Mr. Alkohol's beautifully designed shops in Budapest is an experience in itself – a true paradise for drink lovers. Whether you're visiting the store in the city centre, Újbuda, or the 2nd district, you're guaranteed expert guidance to help you navigate their vast selection. If you prefer online shopping, their webshop also makes it just as easy. Speaking of which, don't miss their Advent Calendar, where you'll find a new gift or discount every day. And what should you choose? Whether you're after a simple favourite, a rare gem, or a premium gift set, you'll find everything here. You can even pick up personalised gifts – how about a special Irish bottle for whisky lovers, a gift-boxed red wine for wine enthusiasts, or an O'Donnell Moonshine liqueur for those with a sweet tooth?
drinkmix.hu
If you want to quickly and easily sort out your festive drinks shopping with just a few clicks, check out the drinkmix.hu website. This is more than just your average webshop – the products have been carefully curated by a team of experts, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch. They're always happy to help you choose. The selection includes the most popular domestic and international gins, rums, whiskies, vodkas, tequilas, and even champagne and alcohol-free options. Thanks to fast delivery, your drinks will be with you in no time. With the holidays in mind, there are also gift-boxed editions available. And if you're on the hunt for truly special and rare drinks, it's worth browsing through the collector's items category, where you'll find some fantastic, exclusive gift ideas.
Pezsgő webshop
No Christmas or New Year's celebration is complete without a toast, and for many, that means popping open a bottle of sparkling wine. Luckily, at Pezsgő webshop ('pezsgő' translating to 'sparkling wine'), you'll find a fantastic selection of both local and international items, from exclusive champagnes and cavas to proseccos. Whatever you choose, you're sure to be pleased, as every bottle has been carefully curated. Also, you can have your order delivered to your door for free. Alongside the excellent drinks, you'll also find some fantastic accessories. And if you fancy a visit to one of Hungary's most famous sparkling wine producers, Törley Museum and Visitor Centre, you can even buy tickets here – a brilliant gift idea for family or friends!
Bortársaság
A great bottle of wine is almost certain to make an appearance at most holiday tables this year, and when it comes to wine, Bortársaság is unbeatable. For the festive season, they've put together a selection of popular wines in discounted holiday gift sets, with the design inspired by one of the most beloved elements of the holiday table. We particularly recommend the 'Holiday Duo', featuring two organic, unfiltered wines, and the 'Holiday Six', a collection of six sparkling wines. If you're looking for a gift for a colleague, or perhaps the whole team, office, or business partners, you'll find excellent corporate gift sets that can even be customised with a company logo. And if you're thinking of giving the gift of an experience, there are various Borsuli gift vouchers available, perfect for someone who wants to dive deeper into the world of wine. Bortársaság's stores are found in many locations, and if you prefer shopping online, their website makes it easy to make a purchase with just a few clicks.
(Cover photo: Bortársaság)
