As the temperature drops and the Christmas decor starts coming up, a familiar sense of anticipation fills the air. The ’ber months bring along with it the lingering joy of the upcoming festive season. Soon you’ll be among friends and family once more, cozying up together and looking back at what the past year has done for you all. With such reunions coming soon, it’s likely many toasts of the year’s achievements are on their way. Here are a few recommendations for the perfect drink to share with your loved ones.

Archipelago Botanical Gin

Handcrafted from over 28 botanicals, 22 of which are sourced locally, Archipelago Botanical Gin offers a citrus-forward botanical mix that includes pomelo, oranges, calamansi, Benguet pine, fresh mangoes, and a medley of fresh tropical flowers that include sampaguita, ylang-ylang, and kamia. 

Other offerings by the Full Circle Craft Distillers Co. are the Archipelago Barrel Reserve Gin, where the mix is laid down in 225-liter new American oak barrels for a rich flavor, and the Archipelago Lava Rock Vodka, in which the mix is filtered over lava rocks from Philippine volcanoes Taal and Mayon. These spirits are also held in high regard after sweeping the Asian Spirits Masters 2023 awards, earning three gold and two master medals. If that’s not enough to convince you, you can even book a tour of the distillery in Calamba, Laguna for only ₱1,800 per head. fullcircledistillers.com

Don Papa Rum

Don Papa Rum is a premium-aged single-island rum from Negros Occidental. Its premium flavors are crafted from the fertile foothills of an active volcano, Mt. Kanlaon, where the finest blades of sugarcane are expertly milled to produce sweet molasses. Enjoy a drink of this quality rum simply on the rocks or mix it into a special cocktail of sorts. We recommend the Masskara mix, where the rum is pot-distilled and infused with calamansi to offer distinctive citrus notes, honey to sweeten the senses, and siling labuyo for a touch of heat and spice. www.donpaparum.com

Lakan Lambanog

Lambanog has gained quite a reputation for being one of the strongest drinks offered in our country due to its high alcohol content. Its roots can be traced back to pre-colonial times when farmers would use coconut nectar to create the drink for sharing after a long day of hard work. Lakan Lambanog by the Philippine Craft Distillers, Inc. uses this as inspiration in its production of lambanog using world-class distillation technology. Its mix uses only the coconut nectar for its distilling process, needing no additives to add to its rich flavor. This drink is best enjoyed mixed as a cocktail based on recipes posted on the website. lakan.com.ph 

Engkanto Beer

Handcrafted beer has become a popular drink hitting shelves as of late. One brand that has stood out recently in the market is Engkanto Brewery. What began in 2017 as a way to show Filipinos that we could do anything just as good as anyone can, Engkanto Brewery offers a selection of handcrafted beers using the best natural ingredients. Its brews are considered high quality as well, having bagged several awards from various beer awards worldwide. Our recommendation is the High Hive Honey Ale, a sweet brew that pairs well with any meal. engkanto.com.ph

Ube Cream Liquer

Are you a fan of ube? Destileria Barako has put a playful twist to the Filipino favorite by incorporating it into one of its liqueurs. Even the bottle adds a fun look to it, making it appear like a magical potion of sorts from its design. The Ube Cream Liqueur is a sweet sensation that is best served either on the rocks or mixed with your halo-halo! It has also received the World’s Best Cream award at the World Spirits Competition in 2022. www.destileriabarako.com