As the holiday season winds down, retailers are left with a surplus of festive drinks that have a very short shelf life in the eyes of the consumer. While everyone expects candy and wrapping paper to go on clearance, the beverage aisle offers some of the deepest and most surprising markdowns of the year. From dairy-based nogs to premium coffee blends, savvy shoppers who know where to look can stock their fridges with high-quality drinks for a fraction of the regular price starting December 26th.
The Eggnog Evacuation
Eggnog is the most time-sensitive item in the entire store. It is virtually unsellable after New Year’s Day. Consequently, stores begin marking it down aggressively immediately after Christmas. You will often see premium organic nogs and plant-based alternatives discounted by seventy-five percent or more. Since eggnog can be frozen or used as a rich base for French toast and pancakes, buying it on clearance is a smart move for breakfast lovers.
Holiday Coffee Blends
Coffee brands release limited-edition winter roasts and holiday blends that feature red and green packaging. Once the holidays pass, this packaging becomes a liability. The coffee inside is fresh and will remain good for months, but retailers need to clear the shelf space for standard inventory. You can find bags of Starbucks Holiday Blend, Peet’s Holiday Roast, and Dunkin’ winter flavors at half price in late December and early January.
Sparkling Cider Surplus
Sparkling cider is a staple for New Year’s Eve, but stores often over-order in anticipation of the rush. In the first week of January, you will find massive displays of Martinelli’s and store-brand sparkling juices marked down to clear. These bottles are shelf-stable for years. Buying them in January allows you to save them for summer picnics, birthday parties, or next year’s holiday celebrations for pennies on the dollar.
Seasonal Tea Collections
Boxed tea sets are a popular gift item, but they rarely sell out completely before Christmas. In January, you will find holiday-themed herbal teas like gingerbread spice, candy cane lane, and sugar cookie sleigh ride on the clearance rack. These teas are perfect for the remaining cold winter months. The boxes may have snowflakes on them, but the warm tea inside is just as comforting in February as it was in December.
Winter Craft Beers
The beer industry operates on a strict seasonal calendar. By January, distributors are pushing retailers to make room for lighter spring ales and lagers. This forces stores to clearance out the heavy winter warmers, stouts, and Christmas ales. You can often find six-packs of high-quality craft beer for under five dollars as stores try to liquidate the winter inventory. Since these darker beers age well, they are a fantastic bargain for beer enthusiasts.
Hot Cocoa Kits
Elaborate hot cocoa gift sets and tins are merchandised heavily in December. When the season ends, these items are often some of the first to hit the clearance bin. You can disassemble the kits to get the high-quality cocoa powder, marshmallows, and mugs for your own pantry. Often, the price of the clearance kit is lower than buying a standard box of cocoa packets.
Drinking Up the Savings
The window for these deals is short, usually lasting only a week or two into January. By scanning the end-caps and the seasonal aisle right after the holiday, you can enjoy premium beverages for the rest of the winter without the premium price tag.
Do you wait for the post-holiday sales to buy your winter drinks? What is the best clearance deal you have ever found on a beverage? Share your finds!
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