More skills, more learning, more paying it forward – and better drinks. Bring on 2026.

You know what they say? Failing to plan is a plan to fail, so this January, we’re joining the “new year, new you” brigade and setting some resolutions to better ourselves and our communities. But don’t worry, these resolutions are still all centered on really good drinks – a tiger can’t change its stripes that much. We’ll leave “learn French” and “become a fitness influencer” to the others. So, here are seven habits to adopt for better drinks this year.

1. Become a regular

The hospitality scene has never been easy – long shifts, ungodly hours, exhausting work and intense customer service requirements – but it was never meant to be as hard as it is right now. There are rising costs, yes, but also the shifts of the past five years such as Covid, tighter licensing laws and workplace welfare changes, too. Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are struggling, and without them, things look pretty grim, so, this year, make it your mission to support them. Becoming a regular is a great way to fill your community cup. You could switch a takeaway night to a restaurant night, like Fridays at your local pizzeria. You could start meeting your besties on a Sunday morning at the same cafe. You could make one venue the place where you celebrate the wins and commiserate the losses with your nearest and dearest. Just know there’s a little more to becoming a regular than attending often – you need to chat with the staff, introduce yourself, learn their names, be friendly and open. You can do it, and it will be worth it. Claim your third space.

2. Go further afield for drinks

Not to contradict ourselves, but another way of supporting the hospitality scene is to go somewhere completely different. Grab your mates and venture beyond your usual spots to discover whether the grass is greener across the river/highway/tracks/harbour (you know, all the things that segment a city). Choose an area that has a few places you want to hit like shops, bars and bistros, and make a day of it. Find out what all the fuss is about and find a new fave. Live a little.

3. Visit your local brewery or distillery

Destination breweries and distilleries are well and truly a thing, with more popping up all the time. There’s newbies like Mountain Culture’s Sydney outpost in Redfern, and old faithfuls like Stomping Ground in Melbourne’s Collingwood or Stone & Wood in Byron Bay. These are places to taste and buy, but they also have cracking food and a buzzy atmosphere as well as new and original drinks that might not have made it to your go-to’s drinks list. These venues are where brewers and distillers experiment, so the offering is ever-changing and dynamic – a great thing to experience when you feel like you’ve seen and tried everything in your own ’hood.

4. Finally learn about Scotch

Okay, it doesn’t have to be Scotch whisky, it could be anything – soju, sake, tequila, some sort of aperitivo or gin. Pick a category and make it your focus, learning about its origins and varieties, how to buy it and enjoy it, and how to know if it’s good. This is the stuff you want in your brain bank come 2027, and it will be a delicious journey along the way. Hell, go the whole hog and plan a trip to the place that made it famous. In fact, why not base your new drink focus on the trip itself? Think Speyside, Seoul, Japan or Jalisco – now that would really be something.

5. Be a conscious bottle shopper

One of the best and easiest ways to support the world you want to live in is by what you buy. This year, look to support brands that do more for society, the environment or their community. For example, The Gospel Straight Australian Rye Whisky is made in the Victorian Malle region from 100% local ingredients. One to One (who make a great Shiraz) has partnered with Greenfleet to regenerate ecosystems, restore animal habitats and support the native biodiversity. For every six-pack bought of One to One, another square metre of bushland is planted. Sit Stay Society donates to PetRescue’s national adoption program with 50c from every 375mL bottle, and $1 from every 700mL bottle. There are loads of options out there.

6. Nail a signature cocktail

Being able to mix a drink is a total green flag. It’s a sign of maturity, responsibility and that you are capable of showing love with acts of service (tick tick tick). Now, learning to nail a signature cocktail means you can make it on repeat, to perfection, with all the garnishes, bells and whistles. This could be entry level: something pour-over like a Spritz, Negroni or Old Fashioned. You could go for a classic, like a Mojito or Margarita. But if you’re going to learn just one this year, it should be something a little more levelled up. Something a little impressive, with a bit of flair. Of course, it should be something you’ll want to drink often — a Nutella Martini might have its limitations — but there are more than enough cocktails that are versatile and will get an “ooooooh” from your recipient. Something like a Ramos Gin Fizz, which has high drinkability and special effects. Tick off another resolution and make it with independent distillery The Melbourne Gin Company’s Dry Gin. Earthy, spiced and creamy, it’s an untapped gem.

7. Give more low-alcs a spin

Humanity has been making alcohol longer than we’ve been writing down our ideas, but it’s nice to know we’re not resting on our laurels. In the past few years, the zero%* drinks has become a category that stands on its own (you’d never go to an event or venue without quality non-alcoholic options these days). There’s been a whole lot of innovation in mid-strength beers, lighter wines, and spirits and premixes that hit every number on the scale. Brewers and distillers have prioritised taste and found a welcome market for these middle-grounders, as have wineries, too. If you haven’t ventured into this lighter-alc world yet, 2026 is your time to do just that. The ranges are so comprehensive (Better Beer Zero Alcohol is a fridge staple), dynamic (Non 1 Salted Raspberry & Chamomile is an event in itself) and so interesting (NOOT Functional Non-Alc Limoncello offers a bright zero% alternative). It’s all worth an exploration.