More and more I have been seeing brides DIYing their favors for guests. DIYing your favors can be personal, creative, and may even save you money. Your guests will appreciate your time and effort in making your favors.
DIY CordialsHomemade Limoncello
What You'll Need
Step One- one bottle everclear (at least 151 proof)
- one bottle vodka (80-100 proof)
- 15-20 large thick skinned bright yellow lemons
- large clear glass jar (to hold your mixture, something like this)
Step Two- 3-4 cups filtered tap water or distilled water (not mineral water)
- 3-4 cups pure white sugar
- cheese cloth
How to Make It
Step One
Day 1- Pour the bottle of everclear and the bottle of vodka into the large glass jar.
- Clean all of the lemon skins thoroughly with a vegetable brush. Dry the lemons. Use a peeler or zester to zest the yellow part of the skin off the lemons. You don't want any pith (the white part) to get into the mixture, this will make it bitter. Try to make the pieces as large as possible, it will make the straining process easier
- Add all of your lemon zest to the jar and stir gently.
- Cover the jar tightly with a lid and store in a cool, dark spot (not in the fridge).
- Stir your mixture about once a week. Let the mixture sit for anywhere from 8 days to 40 days. The mixture should turn bright yellow and start to smell like lemons.
Next- Gently stir lemon peels.
- Scoop out one of the larger peels and test the flexibility. Ideally, when the peel breaks like a potato chip, you know you're ready to move on to the next step.
Step Two Day 1- Dissolve the sugar in the water and bring to a boil over high heat on the stove. Boil for 5 minutes or until the mixture is totally clear. This should make you 3-4 cups of simple syrup.
- Set aside the simple syrup to cool.
- When cool, add the simple syrup to your mixture. The more simple syrup you add, the lower the overall alcohol content you'll have and the more syrupy your limoncello will be. As you stir the mixture should start to feel more like a liqueur.
- Return the infusion to a cool, dry place for up to 40 days (or for at least 8 days), and repeat the process of gently stirring the mixture about once a week.
- The mixture should look bright yellow, and once everything settles, it should be fairly clear.
Next- Filter you limoncello using the cheese cloth and a funnel and strain into smaller bottles. Flip-top 80ml clear glass bottles (we used these) are an excellent size for wedding favors. Just make sure whatever bottle you pick can seal tightly.
- Since it's homemade, your limoncello should be consumed within about 6 months for the best taste. It will get smoother with age.
- Notes: Depending on how much simple syrup you added, your limoncello will be about 45% alc/vol.
- Serve your limoncello chilled in a small cordial glass, a shooter, or in a lowball glass over ice.
Flavored Cordials
http://www.uschiandkay.com/diy-wedding-favour-flavoured-cordials/
Homemade Vanilla Favors
Materials Needed:
Small Glass Jars
#4 Size Corks
Mini Gingham Ribbon
Sticker Paper
Scissors
X-acto Knife
Homemade Vanilla
Instructions:
Step 1: Download the Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe here and follow the directions on how to make it.
Step 2: Download Vanilla Labels here and print onto white sticker paper. Trim out each label. To get nice circles, take your time and use an x-acto knife and self-healing cutting mat – your fingers and table with thank you!
Step 3: Cut ribbon to 8″ long and wrap around the neck of the bottle crossing in the center. Secure ribbon with a small piece of tape and then apply Vanilla label to the center of the bottle. Finish it off by snipping the ends of ribbon to a point.
Step 4: Once Vanilla is prepared and ready, fill the jars with vanilla using a funnel and cap with a cork. Vilolá! a delightful homemade favor for your guests!
Links to Products:
Small Glass Jars: Call Packaging Specialties to order: 206.762.0540 ($6.00 each)
#4 Size Corks at Home Depot
Mini Gingham Ribbon at Michael’s
Sticker Paper from Avery
Infused Olive Oil
For instructions and recipes, please click here: http://www.thekitchn.com/fancy-flavors-how-to-infuse-ol-103225
Cookie Recipe in a Jar
Cowgirl Cookies
Layer the ingredients in like this:
First: flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
Second: oats
Third: m&ms
Fourth: chocolate chips
Fifth: brown sugar
Sixth: white sugar
Seventh: chopped pecans
For detailed instructions and to see final product click here: http://www.bakerella.com/mix-things-up/
Canning Jam
An assortment of jams and jellies and instructions are a click away: http://www.pickyourown.org/jam.htm
October Siggy! Love the Groom's Expression!
