How to Bottle Your Own Summer Cocktails

Selection of glass bottles with homemade cocktails and fresh fruit garnishes for summer

How to Bottle Your Own Summer Cocktails

Summer is the season of long aperitifs, outdoor dinners and cocktails prepared ahead of time so you are not stuck behind the bar all evening. Whether you are hosting a garden party or simply want to bring an artisan touch to your drinks, bottling your own summer cocktails at home is easier than it sounds, and with the right containers the result looks properly professional.

In this article we look at three different approaches: infused spirits, homemade syrups and batched cocktails, all timed to be ready for two of the most loved summer dates, Piña Colada Day and Mojito & World Rum Day.

Why bottle your cocktails at home

Preparing cocktails ahead of time is not just convenient. A good batch cocktail gives the ingredients time to blend together, which means more balanced flavours compared with a drink shaken on the spot. Serving from an elegant bottle rather than a random jug also turns even a casual home aperitif into more of a bar experience.

The key is choosing a glass container, chemically neutral and able to preserve the aromas of spirits and botanicals intact.

Infused spirits: the first step

Infusions are the simplest way to start. All you need is a neutral spirit such as vodka or gin, fresh fruit, aromatic herbs or spices, and a few days resting somewhere dark.

For this, we recommend bottles with a wide opening, which make it easier to add fruit and herbs, such as the Glass Bottle Aspect 700ml or Glass Bottle Gardi 700ml. To test several combinations without wasting ingredients, the mini bottles, 50ml are perfect for small batches, and also make great gift size samples.

A few simple ideas for summer:

gin infused with cucumber and mint
vodka with strawberries and basil
rum with pineapple and vanilla

Homemade syrups for richer cocktails

A homemade syrup instantly raises the level of a cocktail. Sugar, water and an aromatic ingredient (fruit, spices, herbs) simmered for a few minutes are enough to create a base that keeps in the fridge for weeks.

For storing syrups, it is best to choose smaller, easy to pour bottles, such as the mini bottles or the intermediate formats within our spirit bottles range, closed with a screw cap for everyday use without waste.

Batched cocktails: ready for the party

A batch cocktail is the ideal solution when hosting more than a couple of guests. Simply prepare a multiple of the recipe, pour it into a bottle and keep it in the fridge until serving, topping up with ice or soda at the last minute.

For batches served at the table or given as a gift, a more eye catching bottle makes all the difference. Models such as the Glass Bottle Serenade 700ml, Glass Bottle Herbalist or Glass Bottle Belleville combine good capacity with a design that also works well as a homemade summer gift. Sealed with a cork stopper or a Vinolok glass stopper, they keep the drink fresh and well sealed.

Two occasions to get started

If you are looking for a concrete reason to start now, summer offers two perfect dates.

Piña Colada Day is the ideal moment for a rum, pineapple and coconut batch cocktail, prepared ahead and served well chilled.

Mojito & World Rum Day, on the other hand, is perfectly suited to a homemade mint and lime syrup, paired with a well bottled rum.

Which bottle to choose

There is no single format that suits everything. In short:

for infusions and small tests, wide openings and smaller formats work best
for syrups, practical bottles with a screw cap
for batched cocktails served at the table or gifted, more eye catching 700ml formats

Ready to Elevate Your Summer Cocktails?

Now that you're ready to start, browse our premium glass collection to find the perfect bottles for your infusions, syrups, and batched drinks.

Explore All Glass Bottles

STAY UPDATED!

Subscribe to the newsletter and start receiving news and special offers from ThePackStock!