When your friends and relatives have pulled out of your driveway and the holidays are officially over, you’re often left with more leftovers than your fridge can handle and a bunch of half-empty bottles of spirits.
While we can’t help you play fridge Tetris with your Tupperware containers, we can definitely tell you how to make the most of not-quite-empty spirits bottles.
Keep reading for the best way to clear your bar cart after the holiday rush, from simple cocktails to baking recipes to DIY infusions.
The simplest way to get rid of dust-collecting spirits bottles? Make cocktails with them, of course! Check out some simple, delicious recipes to try below, divided by base spirit.
Pro tip: Have a “Leftover Libation” party with friends to make fun, experimental cocktails with your leftover bottles. Feel free to get creative with flavors! The point is to use up leftover spirits, so there’s no pressure to drink anything you don’t vibe with.
We love cocktails (obviously), but it’s not the only way to put your leftover spirit bottles to good use. Make even more yummy things to eat and drink by following the tips below!
When it comes to using spirits and cordials in the kitchen, the sky is the limit: think bourbon-glazed ham, rum cake and vodka pasta sauce. A splash of cream liqueur can do wonders for making creamy desserts and sauces even smoother, and an ounce or two of a hard spirit in cakes can cut through the sweetness to add even more flavor depth.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite sweet and savory recipes for you to try.
You can go two different ways with infusions: infuse your spirit with the flavor of something else or infuse something else with the flavor of the spirit. Regardless, it’s sure to be delectable!
If you’re someone who makes black cake for the holidays, then you already know that soaking dried fruit in rum makes the most juicy, boozy, dreamy fruit cake. Prunes, currants, cherries, apricots, raisins – pick your poison! Some will swear by soaking the fruit for a whole year, others for 3-4 months, while some say a couple weeks is fine. What’s certain is that a soak for any amount of time in a good rum or brandy produces delicious spirit-infused fruit for baking.
On the other hand, you can also infuse your spirits with different flavors to use in cocktails or for gifting. An infused spirit in a nice Mason jar with a beautiful bow or tag tied around it is a simple, thoughtful gift. You can even include your favorite cocktail recipe with it!
The most obvious way to use vodka or white rum is to make a DIY extract, like vanilla or mint. Simply add your ingredients (vanilla bean pods, mint leaves, orange peels, etc.) and store it in a cool, dry place for about 5 weeks, then strain and seal!
The process is essentially the same for making infused spirits, except the resting time is shortened. Add herbs, fruits, vegetables, spices or even florals (like food safe rose petals or lavender buds) to the bottle, store for a couple of days, then strain and seal. It’s the easiest way to play with flavors without committing to buying a full-sized bottle of a flavored spirit. Plus, who doesn’t love a good DIY project?
Finally, spirits and cordials can be added to already-made desserts or beverages to add a boost of flavor. Pour your favorite liqueur over ice cream, cake or brownies. Add a little Irish Cream or coffee liqueur to coffee or hot cocoa. Mix a flavored cream liqueur into a milkshake for a boozy, grown-up treat on girls' night.
If you can pour it, you’ll adore it! Er, if it can mix, it’s a hit? Whatever, you get the point.
Once you’ve cleared out those leftover bottles, keep the momentum going with lighter, fresher sips to kick off the new year.
