Black Friday is the best time of year to stock up on booze.
Not least because you can make the most of rock bottom prices across pretty much every category you can think of, but because it always lands just before the festive season kicks off which means you can save on hosting in the month ahead.
Could it be any more perfect? Think about it: whether you’re planning on hosting a festive soirée yourself or you’re likely to be attending a get-together with friends or family, chances are you’ll want a few bottles in the cupboard which you can grab at a moment’s notice – and that’s all before you get to Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
That’s why it’s prime time to consider filling your shelves so you’re prepared for whatever pops into your agenda. You could choose champagne, cocktails, wine, spirits, beer, festive drinks (did someone say mulled wine?) or even non-alcoholic alternatives – either way, it’s guaranteed there will be plenty of discounts on offer so your thirst will be quenched, no matter what.
Happily, it’s usually the luxury brands which have the best discounts. Tarquin’s. Macallan. Ciroc. Veuve Cliquot (when the orange label’s on offer, best believe a few end up in my basket). So, if you’ve got a taste for the finer things – or you know someone who does who’d like a fancy bevvy as a gift – you’ll be covered by the sales.
The good news? You can get involved before Black Friday officially kicks off. Retailers drop their prices earlier every year, so you can expect good deals throughout September and October, too. If you secure whatever drinks are on your wishlist early, you’ll avoid fighting it out for the dwindling stock levels come the final weekend of November.
When is Black Friday 2025?
As always, it’s on the last Friday in November – that means this year’s sales event falls on Friday, November 28.
Are there early deals ahead of the main sale?
There are, indeed. Actually, it seems the deals drop earlier and earlier every year, and there’s now discounts as early as late September. Keep checking our Black Friday coverage to stay in-the-know about all the best deals.
What Black Friday discounts can I expect?
When it comes to alcohol, nothing’s off limits. Crates of beer. Cases of wine. Luxury champagne and rare spirits. That, as well as all of the basics you could find in the supermarket. Basically, you’re covered no matter your tipple of choice.
Why you can trust Standard Shopping’s Black Friday coverage
We’re seasoned Black Friday experts. Not only have we been covering the sales for years, but we know all there is to know about the hottest products on the scene across every category going, so we know exactly what we’re looking for, too.
Shop the best early deals on booze below
Naked Wines case
Skip the supermarket wine roulette. With Naked Wines, you’ll enjoy £80 off your first case of 12 world-class bottles worth £144.99, that’s less than £6 a bottle.
By backing independent winemakers directly, Naked Wines cuts out the middlemen, giving you access to incredible wines at fairer prices.
Buy now £144.99, Naked Wines
Harrods Red St Emilion Case (12 Bottles) - Bordeaux, France
Red wine season is finally here. Whether you’re partial to a red wine night with friends or you know people who would like to receive a bottle as a gift, this case of 12 gorgeous bottles of St Emilion means you’re covered either way.
Was: £385
Buy now £345.60, Harrods
Campari Bitters 70cl
A Negroni is winter’s answer to an Aperol Spritz. A key ingredient? Campari. Once you’ve bought it in the sale, all you’ll need is the vermouth, gin and lots of ice.
Was £19
Buy now £16.00, Waitrose
Birra Moretti Lager Beer Bottles 12 x 330ml
If you’re a fan of Birra Moretti, this is your chance to fill your boots. You can currently get 12 bottles for just £13 from Morrisons, which makes them £1.09 per bottle. A real steal.
Was £18
Buy now £13.00, Morrisons
Champagne Laurent Perrier La Cuvée 75cl
There’s never a bad time for champagne. Whether you need a last minute gift, you’re planning on making a toast or just treating yourself, it’s always handy having a few bottles stowed away in your reserves. Laurent Perrier is one of the best – and it’ll taste even better when you know you got it for a fraction of the price.
Was £52.99
Buy now £39.99, Drink Supermarket
Bailey’s Original Irish Cream Liqueur 70cl
If you can’t have Bailey’s in the run up to the cold season, when can you? Rich. Indulgent. Creamy. It’s got everything that makes a drink comforting when it’s cold out.
Was £18.50
Buy now £13.00, Ocado
Tanqueray No. Ten Gin 70cl
Though the entry level Tanqueray is nice, Tanqueray No. 10 is on a whole other level. It’s a citrussy little number, with notes of grapefruit, orange, and lime which together deliver a crisp, clean finish. The perfect pairing for classic tonic.
Was £35
Buy now £27.00, Morrisons
Ciroc Vodka 70cl
Unlike most vodkas, which are distilled from grains, Ciroc is distilled from French grapes – and it’s distilled five times rather than the traditional four which is why it’s so smooth. A great gift for anyone who’s a fan of bloody marys or espresso martinis.
Was £41
Buy now £32.50, Waitrose
Seedlip Grove 42 Alcohol Free Spirit 70cl
If you don’t drink, but would still like a point of difference from the usual soft drinks when you’re relaxing, there’s a growing number of non-alcoholic spirits which fit the bill nicely. Seedlip’s one which has been around for a while. Grove 42 is a great alternative to gin thanks to its botanicals of Mediterranean orange, lemon peel, ginger and lemongrass.
Was: £26.50
Buy now £22.00, Ocado
Black Tears Dry Spiced Rum
Rum’s a great option when the weather takes a turn in autumn. Whether you pair it with hot chocolate, make an alternative old fashioned or use it in a hot toddy, it’s a real winter warmer. And you’ll feel even more content knowing you got a luxurious bottle for just £23.
Was £31.50
Buy now £23.00, Waitrose
Sipsmith FreeGlider
From gin experts Sipsmith comes FreeGlider, a booze-free and vegan alternative to the OG: talk about a high achiever. Treat the refreshing non-spirit as you would a regular gin - just mix with tonic and add a garnish for a faux G&T so good you can practically see its halo.
Was: £19
Buy now £14.00, Waitrose
When does Black Friday end?
There’s no official end time, but the sales usually last until midnight on Cyber Monday (this year, that’s Monday, December 1). Some of them last a little longer, though – and some even hold some of their best discounts until the last day – so it’s always good to check what each individual retailer says on its website.
Where did the name Black Friday come from?
The name was originally coined in 1960s Philadelphia – it’s the term the police used to describe the chaos caused by shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. But in the eighties, retailers turned the narrative around and reclaimed it as a term representing the weekend when their annual profits would increase (from in the ‘red’, or in debt, to in the ‘black’, or profitable).
