Holiday Drinks Under $80

Unpopular opinion: Showing up to a holiday potluck with just a bottle in hand doesn’t make your contribution low-effort. It just means that you’re the life of the party. 

But finding good alcohol for a holiday party is where it starts to get tricky. The one tipple that’s tasty, smooth and goes well with just about every party menu is often elusive. And if you don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered with some tips and recommendations on how to choose the perfect party drink. Plus, we’ve kept them all under SGD80.00 - a comfortable price that doesn’t come off as too stingy. 

There’s really no better way to delight the sophisticated taste buds of your gastronomic pals with a novelty wine. Especially one that has a hand in preventing food waste. Developed in Singapore, Sachi is a brand of soy wine (yes, such a thing exists) made out of soy whey, which is a by-product of tofu manufacturing. 

And we’ll get to the point - is it worth a pour? 

Price: SGD38.00 (500ml)

Taste profile: It’s a smooth, light wine with a nutty aroma. You’ll also taste a faint honeyed sweetness. 

Overall rating: It’s a tasty wine that’s like no other. The texture of the wine is silky and refreshing when served cold. It also complements most dinner dishes, and goes exceptionally well with Asian flavours like miso, yuzu and gochujang. 

A cheese platter is a popular starter option for most holiday parties. And as you nibble at the savoury cheese and brittle crackers, you’ll inevitably notice that good wine to chase down the salty goodness is missing. Here’s a sophisticated bottle of red by Fleur Armens, and it comes from one of the best wine-making regions in France - Bordeaux. 

Price: SGD68.00 (750ml)

Taste profile: Smooth on the palate and fruity with pops of morello cherry and violets. 

Overall rating: A reliable bottle of good quality red wine. The fruity notes in the wine are more noticeable when paired with soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. The smooth texture (tannins) of this wine makes it easy to drink. 

But a good dinner wine can also come in the form of a white. If you’re new to the world of wine, a sauvignon blanc is always a good choice. It’s a drier wine that brings out the freshness of herb-based white meats or seafood. This standout wine that’s also easy on the pockets is by 3Sixty2, a New Zealand owned wine boutique specialising in premium white wines. 

Price: SGD55.00

Taste profile: Sharp, textured mouthfeel. Expect a complex tropical flavour profile that has hints of green mango and pineapple. 

Overall rating: A fruity twist on the classic sauvignon blanc. The fresh fruity flavours are much more pronounced in this bottle, making it a perfect summer drink. Best served cold.

There’s always stomach-space for a dessert drink, especially if it’s a mildly-sweet bubbly that’s light on the palate. Renowned Italian wine brand, Bottega, makes a statement at parties with their stunning bottles. And this extra dry organic prosecco is a favourite in many homes due to its fresh profile. 

Price: SGD42.00

Taste profile: Fizzy and fresh on the tongue. It’s mainly fruity, with a strong ripe-apple flavour base.

Overall rating: A classic party drink that spells celebration in the form of a complex grown-up apple juice. Best served chilled, and with chocolatey desserts.

When we think of casual drinks over dinner, beer comes to mind. And if you’re looking to try something less commonplace, this Oatmeal Stout by local brewery Brewerkz is right up your alley.

Price: SGD75.00 (12 x 330ml)

Taste profile: Intense roasted coffee flavour with chocolate and caramel notes. 

Overall rating: This is great if you have a ton of snacks laid out. The nutty aroma that comes with the drink goes best with salted pretzels and nuts. 

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