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Make this Bourbon Advent Calendar

Posted by Andrea Updyke

on Nov 30, 2020, Updated Jan 26, 2022

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with this DIY 2021 bourbon advent calendar! This might be the easiest and possibly the most delicious holiday treat you can make this year. 

Counting down to Christmas is a holiday in itself. In the past few years, I’ve seen toy and candy countdowns, even 12 days of socks!

It’s time for the adults to have a little fun and this DIY Bourbon Advent Calendar is just the thing to make it happen. Especially in 2021!

The best part about making your own bourbon advent calendar is that you can customize the bourbon with your favorites by using your own bottles. Or you can grab some minis from the liquor store.

Maybe you want a variety of liquor and don’t want to stick to just bourbon. Why not throw in a rye whiskey or a nice gin? I won’t judge.

Oh and if you’re looking for a wine advent calendar, I have that too!

Make Your Own Bourbon Advent Calendar

Making a bourbon advent calendar is super easy and fun.

No matter what alcohol you or your giftee enjoys, it’s a great way to customize a fun countdown all the grownups can enjoy.

Whether you enjoy cask strength Kentucky bourbon in a glen cairn or love mixing up a mint julep, bourbon is as delicious as it is versatile.

In 2020, I fell in love with Rye. It’s just spicy enough for the past couple years if you ask me.

Sure it’s a little more work to make your own bourbon countdown calendar instead of buying a big bottle, but it’s fun! And no, you don’t have to drink one each day.

In fact I hope you will drink responsibly and add some fun to your liquor cabinet.

Feeling a Christmas dessert instead? Make this peppermint pie!

Bourbon Advent Calendar Supplies

I didn’t want to get too crazy with the packaging for our countdown.

After all, a bourbon advent calendar is all about the bourbon.

Of course if you have a variety of items, it’s still fun to be surprised so I wrapped them!

What you will need:

I found some super cute treat bags at target that came with stickers to seal them.

They are the perfect size for small travel bottles of alcohol. Done!

• Holiday themed box or bucket
• Treat bags
• Stickers
• Bourbon variety or other liquor mini bottles (24 for the full month or 12 for the 12 days of Christmas)

If you have your own bourbon stash and want to create your own custom selection, grab these glass bottles for a custom set. The sky is the limit!

These couldn’t be easier to make. I popped one bottle in each bag, folded it over and sealed with a sticker. That’s it!

I love the way they turned out and I know my husband will be too.

He doesn’t know it yet, but this is an early Christmas present for him!

Where to Buy Small Bourbon Bottles

Alcohol rules vary in the United States so this answer will too.

Here in North Carolina, you can only buy liquor from an ABC Store so that also goes for the small “airplane bottles” or individual sized bourbon bottles.

In other states, you may be able to find the small bottles in liquor stores, grocery stores or even warehouse clubs like Costco.

Typically, I’ve seen brands like Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Jim Beam, Bulliet, and Larceny on shelves.

My husband and I are always on the lookout for interesting or limited edition bourbon finds when we travel so keep this in mind on your next trip.

The great thing about bourbon is it doesn’t really go bad so feel free to stock up when you find something good!

Make a Bourbon Countdown Calendar for a Gift

Speaking of gifts, a bourbon countdown would make a great gift for friends or coworkers or even party favors.

Customize a 12 days of Christmas option or wait til Christmas Day and swap the theme to a New Years Eve countdown!

I can think of so many ways to customize these baskets. I made a wine advent calendar too, which is how I plan to count down to my favorite holiday.

If you don’t want to go the DIY route, there are options for just about every spirit over on Drinks by the Dram where you can buy your own.

Cheers!

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Post updated from 11/2018