With only 40 days until Christmas, it’s definitely time to sharpen your pencil and start that gift list. Gifts from your own kitchen are fun to make and are always a special treat for the recipient. How about ditching the fruitcake plan and trying something a little bit different this year? There are lots of recipes for delicious homemade alcohol based libations that you can easily (and inexpensively) prepare in your own kitchen. All require some “resting” time, (don’t we ALL?) so they need to be prepared sooner rather than later.

Decorative bottles for decanting the liqueurs are quite easy to find these days.  Check dollar stores, kitchen shops, the housewares section of department stores, and the larger craft shops often have a good selection. And don’t forget to check your pantry for almost empty bottles of olive oil or vinegars – imported varieties are often packaged in lovely bottles, some with attached stoppers. Decorate the bottle with a sprig of holly and some ribbon or raffia and you have a lovely gift that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. By the way, you don’t have to buy top shelf liquor for making these concoctions. I’ve had good results with less expensive brands. When the instructions call for a large glass container with a lid, dust off that sun-tea jug  – works great! Continue reading “Cranberry Vodka and Almond Liqueur” »