4 DIY Infused Liquors for Unique Signature Cocktails
Feeling a little crafty? Want to experiment with some handmade booze options for your wedding reception, bridal shower, or just because? Have we got the project for you!
If you ask me, the world of flavored liquors has really gotten a little out of hand. Aside from bonkers flavors (Pecan Pie?) and questionable corporate partnerships (Cinnabon? Really?), the majority of flavored options are full of artificial everything. So if you want something with a little more pizazz and a lot fewer additives, here are four options for DIY flavored liquors (and recommended signature cocktails) that will knock your socks off!
1. Herbed Vodka
What you'll need:
an airtight jar (we got ours at AC Moore for $0.99 each)
decent vodka (enough to fill said jar)
fresh herbs (we used basil, mint, dill, and lemongrass)
plus a tiny bit of fresh ginger and a slice or two of lemon
How to do it:
Fill your jar with all your herbs and muddle them well.
Add your slice(s) of lemon, pour in the vodka, close jar, and give it a little shakey shake.
Store in a cool, dark place no more than 24 hours (or the herbs will make the vodka bitter).
After that, strain out your mix-ins and enjoy!
Best in:
Bloody Mary's and any cocktail that has apple or grapefruit juice.
2. Ginger Bourbon
What you'll need:
an airtight jar (we got ours at AC Moore for $0.99 each)
decent bourbon (enough to fill said jar)
fresh ginger
How to do it:
Fill your jar with a ton of sliced ginger.
Pour in bourbon, close jar, and give it a little shakey shake.
Store in a cool, dark place for 3-5 days (or as long as you like).
After that, strain out your ginger and enjoy!
Best in:
Juleps, hot toddys or any cocktail that calls for Fireball (we prefer the burn of ginger to the burn of cinnamon!)
3. Pinapple and Sage Tequila
What you'll need:
an airtight jar (we got ours at AC Moore for $0.99 each)
decent silver tequila (enough to fill said jar)
fresh pineapple
fresh sage
How to do it:
Fill your jar with three parts cubed pineapple for every one part sage.
Pour in tequila, close jar, and give it a little shakey shake.
Store in a cool, dark place for 2-3 days.
After that, strain out your mix-ins and enjoy!
Best in:
Margaritas or any cocktail that has Grand Marnier
4. Mango Rum
What you'll need:
an airtight jar (we got ours at AC Moore for $0.99 each)
decent rum (enough to fill said jar)
fresh mango
How to do it:
Fill your jar halfway with cubed mango.
Pour in rum, close jar, and give it a little shakey shake.
Store in a cool, dark place for 2-3 days.
After that, strain out your mix-ins and enjoy!
Best in:
Mojitos or any fruity punch
sarah & reid // charlottesville, va engagement
My first meeting with Reid, before he was officially my client, was magical. Unbeknownst to me, he was in Richmond for the Neutral Milk Hotel concert at the National, a show that I had tried in vain to get tickets for. To add insult to injury, the coffee shop where we met up was staffed with employees who were excitedly discussing their VIP ticket access to the show; needless to say I was bumming about it. However, when I asked Reid about why he was in Richmond (instead of Charlottesville where he and Sarah live) and he told me about the show, he also added: I actually have an extra ticket; do you want it?
So I knew it was a [photography] match made in heaven! Later, when I met Sarah and realized what a wonderful person she is and what an absolutely perfect couple they are, I was even more thrilled! We spent a short, rainy afternoon in Azalea Park in Charlottesville, snapping away in the light snow. The results are adorably early-winter-y (perfect since they had a Christmas wedding!) and ever-so-slightly Wed Anderson-y (at their request). Enjoy!
leah & seth // roanoke, va elopement
I was so giddy when Seth reached out about the elopement he and Leah were planning. I'm all about pretty outdoor celebrations of love, and the fact that they wanted me to come down to just outside my hometown to capture their special day was icing on the cake. It turns out they have a "special spot" on the Blue Ridge Parkway and wanted to do a private ceremony officiated by their friend who had been (online) ordained. It was, in a word, beautiful. But more than that, it was thoughtful and meaningful and perfectly suited to them, from the tops of their heads (and Leah's DIY hairdo) to the tips of their toes (Seth's were covered in hand-knit and charmingly mismatched socks). Seth and Leah: THANK YOU for inviting me to your lovely afternoon!
nathalie & joseph // [post-wedding] engagement session // brooklyn, ny
Autumn might very well be my favorite time of year to take photos. The light is beautiful, the foliage color is just stunning, and the clothes are awesome and cozy. Fall lends itself well to walks in the park, snuggling, and cider. So it's winning all around!
Last month I visited NYC and spent an afternoon with the delightful Nathalie and Joseph (whose incredible wedding you can see here) to do some [post-wedding] engagement photos in Prospect Park. These two lovebirds showed me the place where the proposal happened, and we even stood on the bridge awhile watching another couple get ready to be married at the Boathouse. Adorable!
