As the year comes to a close, we're looking back on the best of 2025, from the top restaurants in the city and the hottest new openings to the best bottles that we tried over the last 12 months. It's been a rollercoaster ride, but the bites and sips have been delicious.
In spring, we kicked off the year with lighter pours, from non-alcoholic drinks and mixers to low-calorie wines. Summer saw us double down on all things patriotic with the best Canadian drinks, before we cozied up with bold reds and cream liqueurs as the weather changed. During the holidays, sparkling wine and single-malts are fit for any celebration.
But don't feel you have to be hemmed in by the season — the best bottles from 2025 are perfect for sipping, gifting or serving any time.
The best bottles of 2025: Vodka
foodism's top pick: Zirkova Unity Vodka
$34.95
This Canadian-born company produced their vodka in Ukraine until they were forced out during the invasion in February of 2022. Now, they've brought the traditions and heritage of Ukraine to Canada with Zirkova Unity Vodka.
Honouring Ukrainian vodka-making and Canadian ingredients, Zirkova is hand-crafted by their Ukrainian master distiller, and made with the best wheat from the heart of the Canadian prairies and natural artesian water sourced from deep within the Canadian shield. Zirkova Unity is a loving expression that's smooth and approachable. Six unique bottle designs feature art from six different Canadian and Ukrainian artists, all representing freedom, resilience, courage and, of course, unity.
Northern Keep Vodka
$33.95
A Canadian vodka with a number of awards under its belt, Northern Keep is made with 70 per cent Canadian rye and 30 per cent winter wheat. The result is a well-rounded spirit with sweet, citrus and spice notes — and the winter wheat planted provides habitat for wildlife.
Mailroom Premium Vodka
$36.95
This Ontario-made vodka is crafted with Canadian soft red winter wheat for a distinct flavour with sweet hints of fresh citrus; a smooth, creamy mouthfeel; and a clean finish with notes of grain and pepper.
Alberta Pure Vodka
$30.95
Rocky Mountain glacier water and homegrown prairie rye go into crafting this classic vodka in Calgary, Alberta. The award-winning serve is smooth with creamy, bready notes.
Finlandia Vodka
$33.00
As pure and natural as Finland itself, this vodka is made with glacial spring water and golden Finnish suomi barley nourished by the midnight sun. It’s clean, light and smooth, with citrus notes.
The best bottles of 2025: Non-alcoholic mixers
Botany Balance Adaptogenic Elixir: Blueberry, Mango, Acai
$4.49
From beloved local brewery Collective Arts, this vitamin-packed bevvy is made with coconut water, prebiotics, lion’s mane and schisandra berries.
Remedy Kombucha
$59.94
Finally, a shelf-stable kombucha that we can take on the go. Remedy is a small-batch, long-aged brew with all the active cultures, organic acids and antioxidants we want, without any sugar.
Something & Nothing Cucumber Seltzer
$4.00
Lightly effervescent and delightfully refreshing with the tasty and clean notes of a fresh cucumber crunch, this low-calorie can is the perfect pick-me-up any time of day.
High Pony Lemon Lavender Drop
$18.75
This handy little bottle pours four non-alcoholic, pre-made cocktails. Bright lemon combines with sweet lavender and butterfly pea flower for a complex and effortless serve.
The best bottles of 2025: Light wines
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling
$25.95
Nova Scotia’s award-winning Benjamin Bridge winery has done it again with this juicy, low-alcohol sparkling wine featuring mango and green apple notes.
Vineland Estates Semi-Dry Riesling VQA
$16.95
Off-dry and bursting with pear and quince notes, this riesling from one of Niagara’s oldest wineries comes in at only 9 per cent ABV.
Kim Crawford Illuminate Rosé
$21.95
: Your spring fruit salad needs this floral, fruity and low-ABV pour. Savour notes of watermelon and ripe berries.
Nozeco Sparkling Rose Dealcoholized
$11.95
Leave it to the French to make a totally palatable boozeless sparkling wine. This dealcoholized bubbly is popping with red berry aromas.
Not Guilty Dealcoholized Pinot Grigio
$10.95
If there’s one thing this non-alcoholic pinot grigio is guilty of, it’s being the perfect spring sipper. It’s best paired with fresh seafood, bright salads and cheese. The label makes us chuckle, every time.
The best bottles of 2025: Ciders
Stock and Row Slow & Low Dry Cider
$3.55
Two industry vets are behind this popular Bloomfield cidery. Get to know the P.E.C. icons by cracking open a can of their orchard flavour-heavy flagship cider made using Canadian apples.
Revel Chambarine
$22.00
Bursting with nectarine flavour, this juicy, refreshing collab from Guelph’s Revel Cider and the Grape Witches is an absolute must-try.
Loch MÓR Harrison Spritz
$21.00
This high-acid, single varietal cider with bright orange notes takes its name from the Harrison apples harvested on this Hillier property.
Spy Estate Cider
$24.50
Step aside, riesling: This crisp cider, made with heritage estate apples from the Blue Mountains distillery, could make a play for most popular pour this hosting season.
The best bottles of 2025: Canadian cream liqueurs
Wayne Gretzky Salted Caramel Cream Whisky
$35.95
This Niagara winery and distillery adds salted caramel flavours to the already delicious cream tipple, made with 100 per cent fresh Ontario cream. It’s perfect in coffee or desserts.
Hansen Distillery Oat Milk Cream Liqueur
$32.00
Celebrate the season with this uniquely Canadian sipper. Made with vodka and oat milk, this is Hansen Distillery’s tribute to the Prairie farmers who inspire them.
Forty Creek Cinnamon Bun Cream
$33.95
Hailing from Grimsby, this indulgent liqueur blends Forty Creek’s award-winning whisky with fresh cream for a rich, dessert-like sip. Think cinnamon buns in a bottle — delicious in a fall espresso martini or as a sweet after-dinner treat.
Cabot Trail Maple Cream
$34.95
Quebec produces most of the world’s maple syrup, so it’s no surprise that Cabot Trail nails it with this smooth blend of maple, amaretto and fresh cream. Expect rich notes of chocolate and cinnamon in every sip.
The best bottles of 2025: Big, bold reds
Trius Red The Icon
$27.95
It may taste like a bordeaux, but this VQA-certified blend is made in Ontario. It’s a meaty red with plenty of tannins, and is an excellent partner-in-crime to a fall pork roast.
Aasha Wines From Here On In 2017 Syrah
$45.00
Decant this fresh, light-bodied and complex Okanagan syrah for 30 minutes before serving it to a date you’re trying to woo.
Goats do Roam Red
$14.95
This South African red blend is a chameleon; it fits in perfectly with almost any fall dish, including spicy birria tacos and pulled pork sandwiches.
Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
$18.00
There’s something deeply comforting about this Chilean red’s smoky vanilla and dark chocolate notes, paired with a porterhouse, as temperatures start to dip.
Tavernello Sangiovese-Cabernet
$10.00
We start leaning towards comforting pastas and proteins in the fall, and this affordable sangiovese-cabernet blend from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, is an excellent choice to pair.
Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2020
$47.80
This complex-yet-balanced merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc blend recently won gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards. All of the grapes are sourced from the Two Sisters Estate Vineyard in the Niagara River.
The best bottles of 2025: Single malt whisky
Spring Mill John Sleeman & Sons Sherry Finished Single Malt Whisky
$74.95
A homegrown hit that uses traditional scotch methods, this fruity, floral and sweet single malt is made with 100 per cent Canadian barley. It’s aged for five years in American white oak and partially finished in oloroso and sherry casks.
Seven Seals Single Malt Whisky Amarone Wood Finish
$79.95
This single malt opens with lush aromas of sweet apple, dried berries and orange zest, layered with warm toffee and vanilla spice. It all wraps up with a smooth finish of gently bitter coffee and white pepper.
Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve
$102.95
This single malt scotch is aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in charred American oak. It reveals a bouquet of deep vanilla, caramelized brown sugar and baked apple on the nose, followed by creamy toffee, candied orange and wood spices on the palate.
Shelter Point Classic Single Malt
$87.50
Newly available in Ontario, this award-winning, 100 per cent Canadian whisky is crafted on the shore of Vancouver Island using the traditional method of single malt scotch. Expect notes of fruit, caramel, baking spices and honey in this dram.
The best bottles of 2025: Wine worthy of aging
Domaine Laroche Saint Martin Chablis
$34.70
Who says aging is only for reds? This fresh, mineral-driven chablis is delightful now, but its bright acidity means it will shine even more after five to seven years of aging in the wine cellar.
Duca di Saragnano Alchymia Primitivo
$23.95
Crafted from primitivo grapes, this full-bodied red is lively with cherry flavours and smooth tannins. Over time, it softens beautifully, gaining spice notes and layered depth.
Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella
$50.95
Amarone, a wine made from partially air-dried grapes, is always a treat. But the rich, moody chocolate and fig flavours in this excellent vintage will only benefit from aging.
Domaine Des Petits Quarts Tradition Chenin AOP Bonnezeaux 2022
$53.95
This wine, made entirely from hand-harvested chenin blanc, is bursting with bright acidity and notes of ripe fruit. If you’re patient, it develops honeyed, nutty flavours while keeping its freshness intact.
The best bottles of 2025: Sparkling wine
Riunite Lambrusco Reggiano 1950 Amabile
$14.40
The finishing touch to your magnificent holiday feast, this versatile lambrusco contains delightful notes of raspberries and strawberries.
French Bloom Le Rosé Sparkling Wine
$54.99
French Bloom’s sparkling rosé offers an exceptional alcohol-free option. Think peach, fresh berry and rose petal notes mingling with delightful bubbles.
Champagne Telmont Reserve Brut
$95.99
This award-winning blend of chardonnay, meunier and pinot noir is gold in colour, fresh in taste, and packed with fine bubbles. Go all out and pair with caviar. Arriving spring 2026.
Trius Brut VQA
$29.95
Premium Niagara chardonnay and pinot noir are the dynamic duo behind Trius’ bestselling sparkling wine.
Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne
$87.50
A beautiful, festive pairing with seafood or a creamy, white-sauce winter pasta, this elegant champagne woos with a bouquet of floral notes.
Ruffino Prosecco
$19.95
: This wallet-friendly Venetian prosecco smells like an orchard, with a crisp palate. It’s perfect for cheeky morning mimosas.
