Easy DIY Gifts for Procrastinating Imbibers

December 20, 2013

If you love making your own holiday gifts, but every year around this time you find yourself running out of time to be a DIYer, don’t worry—there’s still time left to get crafty, and in just a few hours! Here are a few of our favorite quick and easy DIY holiday gifts—and no one will even know that you left their gift to the last minute.

Photo: Stuart Mullenberg

Homemade Spiced Rum

Add a spirited splash of the tropics to holiday gifting with this spice-laden mix of aged rum, vanilla, black peppercorns, citrus and baking spices. Best of all? An overnight infusion is all it takes. And with these handy printer-ready bottle tags and recipe cards, the gift practically makes itself!

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Saturated

Infused Syrups

Not sure if the person on the receiving end drinks alcohol? Simple syrups are your answer since they can be used to flavor everything from sodas to teas to mixed drinks. Mix up a trio of complementary, seasonally infused flavors (think lemon, cardamom and rosemary), bottle them up and add a bow. And check out our Simple Syrup Cheat Sheet for 50 fail-safe syrup recipes ready for holiday gifting.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/semosoz

DIY Grapefruit Cordial

Brighten up the holiday season with this peppy, citrus-packed cordial from cocktail consultant Todd Appel. It’s a cinch to make and will keep refrigerated for up to six months.

DIY Bottled Cocktails

Tired of bringing wine to your holiday parties? Try a bottled cocktail. Follow these pro tips for pre-mixed, pre-packaged drinks in a jiffy.

Photo: Deb Perelman, Smitten Kitchen

Apple Cider Caramels

A favorite holiday sweet treat here at Imbibe HQ, these melt-in-your-mouth caramels from Deb Perelman at the Smitten Kitchen are as addictively delicious as they are easy to make. So much so, that you should probably get enough ingredients for a second batch.