• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mitten Girl
  • Cocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
    • Portfolio
    • About
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Recipes
    • My Book
    • Work with Me
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recent Posts » Holidays

    How to Make Cocktail Kits and Mocktail Kits for Holiday Gifts

    Published: Nov 16, 2021 · Updated: Nov 27, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 78

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    Tis the season for homemade treats and putting together cookie boxes. But I’d rather build a holiday cocktail box! Or mocktail box! Or both! 

    Ideas for DIY Cocktail Kits and Mocktail Kits
    Jump to:
    • What goes into a Cocktail Kit or Mocktail Kit? 
    • Give Your Cocktail Kit a Theme
    • Make it a Mocktail Kit 
    • How to Package Your Cocktail Kit or Mocktail Kit
    • Shipping Your Cocktail or Mocktail Kit

    Cocktail and mocktail kits have become increasingly popular and they’re so easy to make yourself! And since you choose everything that goes into the box, you can also control the price, making them a great budget-friendly option for holiday gift giving. 

    What goes into a Cocktail Kit or Mocktail Kit? 

    Just like cookie boxes, there’s so much fun to be had with ingredients in a cocktail or mocktail kit. You can customize each one to the recipient and give something that they’ll really enjoy. 

    Ideas include: 

    • Homemade syrups
    • Small bottles of liquor(s)
    • Homemade infused liquor(s)
    • Bitters 
    • Small cans of mixers (club soda, ginger beer, etc.)
    • A jar of cocktail cherries
    • Sugars and salts (for rimming a glass)
    • Glassware
    • Recipe cards or cocktail recipe books
    • Bar tools (cocktail shaker, jigger, bar spoon, etc.)
    • Cocktail picks
    • Cocktail napkins
    Buy Homemade Happy Hour

    Give Your Cocktail Kit a Theme

    Including ALL of those items would be a bit much and likey overwhelming for the gift recipient as well. When giving a cocktail or mocktail box, start by thinking about who you’re giving the box to, then form a theme.

    Is your recipient new to making cocktails? If so, they might enjoy a cocktail recipe book and the bar tools needed to start crafting delicious drinks. You could also include a couple small bottles of liquor and the mixers for one or two drinks. 

    You can also theme cocktail kits around a specific drink. If you friend loves vodka, choose a popular vodka drink - like a Moscow Mule or a Cosmopolitan - and provide them with the ingredients to make it.

    Moscow Mule Cocktail Kit
    Moscow Mule Cocktail Kit

    If you’re giving a cocktail kit to someone who’s likely to have a supply of standard liquors (gin, vodka, bourbon, etc.) already in their house, then taking the time to infuse liquor yourself is a fun way to add something new to their home bar they they’re not likely to think of. 

    Cocktail kit ingredients for an Apple French 75
    Cocktail kit ingredients for an Apple French 75

    Make These DIY Liquor Infusions

    Apple slices being dropped in a mason jar.
    Apple Cinnamon Infused Gin
    Strawberry Infused Vodka
    Strawberry Infused Vodka

    Make it a Mocktail Kit 

    If your gift recipient doesn’t drink - or you’re not sure - a mocktail box with homemade simple syrups, fresh citrus, fun mixers, nice glassware, and some printed mocktail recipes is a fun, alcohol-free variation on a cocktail kit. 

    DIY Mocktail Kit
    DIY Mocktail Kit

    You can also include zero-proof spirits or alcohol free sparkling wine, depending on your recipient's preference. Mocktail kits are a great idea for your sober-curious friends and family, along with those who participate in Dry January since they can still enjoy their gift right away.

    Make these Homemade Simple Syrups

    A pitcher of finished blueberry syrup.
    Homemade Blueberry Syrup
    Cranberry Orange Syrup
    Cranberry Orange Syrup

    How to Package Your Cocktail Kit or Mocktail Kit

    This is a gift, so you want the packaging to be nice, but that doesn’t have to mean expensive or over the top. Cardboard bakery boxes filled with parchment or tissue paper make a nice base for your cocktail or mocktail kit. 

    Reuse old bottles and jars in your gifting. I habitually save the glass jar from just about any item we use throughout the year and by the fall, I have a small treasure trove of bottles and jars that are perfect for using in cocktail and mocktail boxes. Just soak the labels off with hot, soapy water and make sure the lids are plain. Jam, honey, and spice jars all work great for this. 

    Your unique touch is what makes DIY cocktail kits and mocktail kits some of the most fun gifts to give and receive. Have fun putting it together and customize the box for each person! Make some items - make none of the items - it’s your call. Just make the boxes personal and your recipients will love them! 

    DIY Cosmopolitan Cocktail Kit
    DIY Cosmopolitan Cocktail Kit

    Shipping Your Cocktail or Mocktail Kit

    Whether you’ll be shipping the box or delivering it in person will impact what goes into it.

    If you’re shipping it, you’ll want to skip fresh ingredients, liquids, or alcohol and stick with non-perishable items like bar tools, a cocktail recipe book, cocktail picks, fancy sugars and salts, and fun cocktail napkins.

    You'll also want to take the weight of your items when shipping. The heavier the box, the more it costs to ship. A cocktail shaker, bar spoon, and muddler are going to be cheaper to ship than rocks glasses or a mixing glass.

    But if you’re delivering it in person, then the sky’s the limit!

    Creating custom gifts is so much fun to do! DIY Cocktail kit and mocktail kits are

    Holidays

    • 12 Delicious Drinks for New Year's Eve
    • 7 Easy Cocktails to Serve at Christmas
    • 6 Simple Non-Alcoholic Christmas Mocktail Recipes
    • 8 Easy, Make-Ahead Christmas Appetizers

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 78

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Weekly Newsletter

    Join my email list and get my 5 CLASSIC COCKTAILS EBOOK sent to you immediately!

    Subscribers receive a new and delicious recipe in their inbox each week.

    Most Searched Recipes

    • How to Set Up a DIY Cocktail and Mocktail Bar Your Guest Will Love
    • How to Make Cocktail Kits and Mocktail Kits for Holiday Gifts
    • Easy and Delicious Mocktail for Kids (Without Sugary Soda)
    • Easy and Summery Lavender Lemon Drop Martini with Vodka
    • Easy 15 Minute Stove Top BBQ Meatballs
    • Delicious Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
    • Easy Tomato Rice and Beans on the Stove Top
    • Refreshing Orange Ginger Gin Cocktail
    • Non-Alcoholic Mojito Mocktail is the Perfect Summer Drink
    • Slow Cooker Savory Spiced Nuts are the Best Happy Hour Snack

    Footer

    Website

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for weekly emails

    Contact

    Work with Me

    Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Mitten Girl LLC

    110 shares
    • 78