Use empty liquor, beer, or soda bottles; Groelsch™ beer bottles have an attached reusable cap making them ideal. Look for unique shaped bottles at flea markets, rummage and garage sales; they will make your liqueur look and even taste that much better! Check kitchen or import stores for small cupsize bottles and create six-pack sampler packs. Buy inexpensive (or expensive!) wine decanters.
Bottle corks of all sizes may be purchased at winemaking shops for capping bottles. Soda bottle caps also work great and come in a variety of styles and colors. Cover the cork or cap with foil, tie a ribbon across the top, and seal with a wax sealer. Check commercial bottles for other techniques.
A label on your homemade liqueur is not only a special touch, but is useful to display the liqueur type, date made, and date to be used by — not to mention your name as the maker! There are many creative ways to make labels; below are a few ideas to get you started:
Personalize the label with either your “brewing name” or the recipient’s name (perhaps a nickname, occupation, hometown).
Use a photograph or illustration.
Rub-on lettering or stencils will give a professional and finished look; have labels typeset for an even more elaborate effect.
If writing by hand, be wary of felt pens as many will run when wet. Colored ballpoint pens make a good alternative as do permanent and metallic markers.
Make a master sheet of labels and photocopy them on colored or textured paper.
Try adding borders or circle shapes.
People love receiving homemade gifts and will delight in your unique assortment of liqueurs. The Irish cream, cranberry, and hazelnut liqueurs are a sure hit as holiday gifts to friends and neighbors. A bottle of coffee liqueur is a great housewarming present. Give a fruit liqueur to an ice cream lover or a friend who loves to bake.
I’m sure you have begun to form your own ideas. Here are some of my favorite gift suggestions:
Fill a small basket or wire container with straw packing and four or five different small bottles and create a sampler pack.
Fill a nice decanter and give with decorative liqueur glasses.
Give a pound of coffee beans with your liqueur to a coffee lover friend — many liqueurs taste great mixed in coffee.
Find a baking book or recipe using liqueurs and give with the appropriate liqueur.
Put together some starting ingredients and an empty decorative bottle and give with a copy of this bulletin to another do-it-yourselfer.