LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2015

SPIRITS  BARTENDER IN A BOTTLE

Homemade Gifts

Buck tradition this holiday season: instead of baking cookies, hand out your own homemade cocktail.Withlotsofsweetsgoingaround,those on your gift list will find a tasty drink a refresh- ing change. To make, start with a mix that can be made ahead and that has a pretty colour for maximum impact, such as the Mistletoe Cosmo (visit foodanddrink.ca/holiday2015recipes for the recipe). Packaged elegantly, a home- made cocktail is a great gift for neighbours, friends and unexpected drop-in visitors alike. Bonus: they won’t take as long to make as cook- ies do.

PACKAGING ➤ Buy adhesive labels from an office supply store, and make your own stickers, either handwritten or designed on a computer and printed. Include the name of the drink and any serving instructions, along with a seasonal greeting. ➤ Select ribbon and labels in colours to complement the hue of the cocktail. ➤ To package, pour your mixed cocktail into a bottle with a tight-fitting cork (use a funnel to minimize spilling)—see Source Resource on page 254 for where to buy. Drape a length of ribbon around the bottle’s neck, then cross in front and secure in place with double-sided tape and a label.

210  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2015