Gifts by the Glass

DIY gift ideas for the alcohol enthusiast in your life

When making limoncello, be sure to avoid the white pith -- it'll make your drink bitter.

Image credit: Photo by grongar via Creative Commons

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By: Lauren Peck and Drew Kerr

It’s easy to head to the department store and grab something for that special someone. In fact, it’s too easy. This season, consider giving that special someone a personalized gift that shows them how caring – and crafty – you truly are.

All week, we'll be featuring DIY gifts we’d be happy to hand over. Today’s selections are for the tipplers and microbrew enthusiast in your life.

What: Etched beer glasses

Why: Because drinking from a plain-old pint just isn’t that fun.

 Supplies you’ll need:

+ Pint glasses
+ Glass etching cream
+ Painter's tape
+ Xacto knife
+ Paintbrushes
+ Rubber gloves

The process

1.  Track down etching cream, brushes, knife and tape at your local craft store. You can find affordable glassware to etch at stores like Target, or you can even stop by a thrift store to check out its home good offerings.
2. Using the Xacto knife, cut your desired design out of a strip of painter's tape. This becomes your stencil.
3. Press the tape stencil to the glass.
4. In a well-vented area with rubber gloves, paint over the stencil with the etching  cream. After a minute or two, wash the cream off with hot water.
5. Wash the glasses before use.

More info: quitelikeit.com

Total cost: $20-$40, depending on how fancy your glassware selection is.

What: Homemade limoncello (makes two bottles)

Why: Because there’s no better way to finish a meal than with a shot of adult lemonade.

Supplies you’ll need:

+ 15 lemons
+ Two 750 mL bottle of vodka (everclear also works)
+ 5 cups water
+ 4 cups sugar
+ Glass jar with a sealed lid (an iced tea container would work, too)

 The process

1. Remove the lemon peels with a peeler, zester or grater, avoiding the white pith.
2. Put the peels in the one-gallon glass jar and add your alcohol. 
3. Let sit in a cool, dark place for as long as you can – a week minimum. The longer it sits, the better it will taste (maybe this is a gift for next year?).  
4. After the peels have sat in the alcohol for at least a week, mix your water and sugar in a saucepan over low heat until sugar is dissolved.
5. Let the sugar mix cool and add to your lemon-alcohol mix. Let this sit for another week.
6. Strain and remove the lemon peels, stir and pour into your vessel of choice. 
7. Keep in the freezer until ready to give away.

More info: epicurious.com

Total cost: $20-$30, depending on the quality of alcohol you choose.

+ Tomorrow's DIY gift ideas will cater to the foodie on your list.