
There was a point in my life post college that all my holiday gifts were handmade. Living in the city with a job that just covered my expenses, I didn’t want to skip out gifts for my family but purchasing pricey items was definitely out of the question. The sensible option was to make something handmade from my kitchen, homemade candy and cookies got shipped off to everyone that year. The one thing I wish for was the knowledge I know now in the kitchen and a better container to store everything in.
When I had the opportunity from Freund Containers to choose a container of my choice from their website, I was immediately drawn to their Swing Top Bale Wire Bottles. There are a number of options to use these for, homemade vanilla, hot sauce or even infused liquor but my first thought went to Homemade Flavored Simple Syrups.
Generally when I make a cocktail, I make the simple syrup as I go, but how easy would it be to have the flavored simple syrup right there ready to pour? It’s the perfect gift for a friend or family member that loves to play mixologist at home. Simple syrups aren’t just for alcoholic drinks, they can be the base for homemade sodas, flavoring for cakes or even to sweeten your coffee or tea.
I’ve come up with 4 season appropriate simple syrups for today but the varieties are endless, let your imagination run wild. There’s also a chance for you to win a gift certificate to Freund Containers below, so that you can pick up a few Swing Top Bale Wire Bottles of your own to package up your simple syrups.
Handcrafted Holiday ideas for making gifts from your kitchen using products from Freund Container:
- Candy Cookies in a Jar from Alida’s Kitchen
- Chai Tea Blend from Curious Cuisiniere
- Flavored Sea Salts {DIY} from girlichef
- Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Homemade Coffee Liqueur from Cooking for My Peace of Mind
- Homemade Crunchy Granola from Magnolia Days
- Homemade Flavored Simple Syrups from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Homemade Mexican Hot Sauce from Juanita’s Cocina
- Homemade Steak Sauce from The View from Great Island
The base to make a simple syrup is quite simple, it is a 1 to 1 ratio of water and sugar. From there we just add our flavors. Here I have 4 seasonal choices for the holidays.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pure cane sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup fresh mint springs
- 3/4 cup pure cane sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup pure cane sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- lemon peel (no white parts) from 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3/4 cup pure cane sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Instructions
- In a small saucepan bring to boil the sugar, water and fresh mint. Boil until the sugar has dissolved and remove from heat. Let steep for 5 minutes. Place a funnel with a fine mesh strainer over top into the Swing top Bale Wire Bottle and pour. Let cool completely before sealing tightly. Store in the refrigerator.
- In a small saucepan bring to boil the sugar, water and fresh cranberries. Boil until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries begin to pop. Continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes and mash the cranberries with a muddler. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Place a funnel with a fine mesh strainer over top into the Swing top Bale Wire Bottle and pour. Let cool completely before sealing tightly. Store in the refrigerator.
- In a small saucepan bring to boil the sugar, water and lemon peel. Boil until the sugar dissolves and whisk in the honey. Remove from the heat and let steep for 5 minutes. Place a funnel with a fine mesh strainer over top into the Swing top Bale Wire Bottle and pour. Let cool completely before sealing tightly. Store in the refrigerator.
- In a small saucepan bring to boil the sugar and water. Boil until the sugar dissolves and whisk in the cocoa powder. Cook for an additional minute, remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Place a funnel over top into the Swing top Bale Wire Bottle and pour. Let cool completely before sealing tightly. Store in the refrigerator.
This giveaway is for three $100 gift certificate to Freund Container & Supply. Gift certificate will expire on February 28, 2014. Gift certificate is a one-time use certificate and must be used in its entirety; any leftover monies on the gift certificate will be forfeited. This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. However, it should be noted that due to current International shipping rates, any Canadian winners will pay higher shipping costs for orders. This giveaway will run from Friday November 22, 2013 through Saturday November 30, 2013 (11:59 pm ET). Winner will be notified within 48 hours of the close of this contest, and given 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
Freund Container & Supply has been helping build businesses since 1938 as the largest distributor of glass bottles, containers and wholesale packaging supplies online. Freund offers over 5,000 items in stock every day, 98% same day shipping and low-price guarantees. Take a look at Freund’s wide selection of jars, tins, bottles and vials for all your crafting and food related needs!
1. Mandatory Entry: Which Freund product would you choose, and what type of handcrafted holiday project would you make?
2. Many more ways to enter on the rafflecopter widget.
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Great post and just in time for the holiday season. Can I make these syrups with any fruit; like strawberries?
Thanks Chris! You can absolutely switch out the fruit, I would just use the same method as you do for the cranberry one. With strawberries, if they are out of season, I recommend picking up a bag of frozen ones to maximize the flavor.
Homemade gifts pretty much make my day and I can think of quite a few friends and family who would adore these homemade simple syrups!! Definitely adding these to my DIY gift list!
I’m actually saving the ones I made to be a housewarming gift for a friend. They are just the perfect gift because you can customize it for each person.
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This is such a fun idea, Susan…and CHOCOLATE! That is one that I never would have thought of. I’m getting so many great gift ideas today…I’m covered this year! 🙂
We recently made a mint simple syrup. Now I really want to try these! The jars are so perfect too!
If someone got a basket with all four of these simple syrups they would be really happy! I agree they are fantastic to have around for more than cocktails. There are so many possibilities.
With a set of these syrups around, I’d be set for a year’s worth of cocktails!
What a great idea! I love that instead of infusing booze, you are making simple syrups for people to add flavors to booze! These bottles are so cute!
i would definitely get the same bottles you used, i can thinnk of a few people who would enjoy receiving flavoured syrups and of course homemade vanilla for christmas.
I’d love to receive one (or ALL) of these as a holiday gift! What a marvelous idea!
My daughter and I make felt ornaments every year! We could certainly use some of these plastic containers to hold supplies! There are a few other container that would be great for gift giving! So awesome, thanks for letting me on to the Freund website, I’d never heard of it!
I loudly love to get the smaller clear glass milk bottles to put our homemade maple syrup in!
Nothing beats a homemade gift, I’m planning on making quite a few of these for the holidays!
Thanks Pamela! I also spent some time on your blog. I can’t even begin to tell how jealous I am that you have all that roof space for your garden!
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Would love to win the wire containers–I make homemade vanilla and I think it’d be perfect!!
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Do these need to be refrigerated? And how long will they keep? Thanks!
I do recommend keeping them in the refrigerator and they should stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Thank you 🙂
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