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Holiday Garnish Jar & Orange Rimming Sugar

This Simple Holiday Garnish Jar & Orange Rimming Sugar makes for a fun DIY Gift for Cocktails, Mocktails and Family Holiday Drinks. Some of the best homemade gifts are the ones that look beautiful, feel thoughtful and are actually easy to use. This Holiday Garnish Jar and Orange Rimming Sugar set checks every box.

The garnish jar is filled with colorful dried fruit and fragrant holiday spices that can dress up everything from sparkling water to Christmas cocktails. The orange sugar adds a sweet citrus finish to the rim of a glass. Package the two together with a small instruction tag, and you have a lovely hostess gift, neighbor gift or addition to a family mocktail-night basket.

Because this gift uses completely dried ingredients, it can be prepared ahead of time and stored at room temperature. No last-minute refrigeration or complicated canning is needed.

Holiday Garnish Jar

A festive blend of dried oranges, cranberries, cinnamon, star anise and rosemary for decorating cocktails, mocktails, cider and holiday punch.

Equipment

1 16-ounce wide-mouth jar

Ingredients

6 to 8 fully dried orange slices
1/3 cup dried cranberries
3 cinnamon sticks
3 to 4 whole star anise
2 small sprigs dried rosemary or about 1 tablespoon loose dried rosemary

Instructions

Make sure the jar, lid and every ingredient are completely dry. Any remaining moisture can shorten the shelf life or cause mold.
Arrange the dried orange slices around the inside of the jar so they are visible through the glass.
Add the dried cranberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise and dried rosemary.
Close the jar tightly and add a ribbon or instruction tag.
There is no need to follow the exact layering shown here. The jar should look full and festive, so gently rearrange the ingredients until you like the way it looks.

Orange Rimming Sugar

A sweet, citrusy sugar blend that adds a sparkling orange finish to cocktails, mocktails and other holiday drinks.

Equipment

1 4-ounce jar

Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon finely ground fully dried orange peel
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional

Instructions

Place the dried orange peel in a spice grinder or small food processor and pulse until it becomes a fine powder.
Add the sugar and optional cinnamon.
Pulse just a few times to distribute the orange evenly. Do not process it too long or the sugar may become powdery.
Transfer the mixture to a clean, completely dry jar and close it tightly.
If you purchase dried orange peel, choose a food-grade product without added sugar or preservatives. If you dry your own orange peel, make sure it is crisp and contains no soft or flexible spots before grinding it.

What you Need

4 oz jar
16 oz jar
dried orange slices
dried cranberries
cinnamon sticks
whole star anise
sprigs dried rosemary, or about 1 tablespoon loose dried rosemary
granulated sugar
dried orange peel
ground cinnamon
Ribbon, twine or a gift tag, if desired

How to Rim a Glass

Pour a small amount of orange rimming sugar onto a shallow plate.
Run an orange wedge around the outside edge of the glass. For a sweeter rim, use a little simple syrup instead.
Turn the glass upside down and gently press the rim into the sugar.
Lift the glass, let the rim set for a minute and then add the drink.

For a lighter finish, rim only half of the glass. This lets each guest choose whether every sip is sweet or not.

How to Use the Holiday Garnishes

The ingredients may be used individually, or a few can be combined to match the drink.

Add a dried orange slice to sparkling water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda or iced tea.
Float an orange slice and a few dried cranberries in a holiday punch.
Add a cinnamon stick to hot apple cider, mulled wine, hot chocolate or coffee.
Use an orange slice, cinnamon stick or star anise to decorate an old fashioned, sangria, cranberry spritzer or bourbon cocktail.
Add a small piece of dried rosemary to a cranberry-orange mocktail for a festive herbal aroma.
Place several garnishes in a clear drink pitcher shortly before serving for an easy holiday centerpiece.

The dried garnishes are primarily intended to flavor and decorate drinks. Cinnamon sticks and whole star anise should not be eaten. Remind guests to remove loose rosemary and whole spices before drinking, or serve drinks with a straw.

Easy Holiday Drink Ideas

Cranberry-Orange Holiday Mocktail

Rim a glass with orange rimming sugar. Fill it with ice, then add:

3 ounces cranberry juice
3 ounces sparkling water or ginger ale
A squeeze of fresh orange juice

Stir gently and garnish with a dried orange slice and a few dried cranberries.

Family Mocktail Night Punch

In a large pitcher, combine:

4 cups cranberry juice
3 cups ginger ale
1 cup orange juice
4 to 5 dried orange slices
1 cinnamon stick
A small handful of dried cranberries

Serve right away over ice. This makes a fun centerpiece for a family movie night, cookie-decorating party or Christmas Eve gathering.

Holiday Old Fashioned

Rim half of a rocks glass with the orange sugar, if desired. Add:

2 ounces bourbon or whiskey
1/2 ounce simple syrup
2 to 3 dashes aromatic bitters

Stir with ice and finish with a dried orange slice and cinnamon stick.

Warm Spiced Apple Cider

Warm apple cider in a saucepan or slow cooker. Serve each mug with a cinnamon stick and dried orange slice. Adults may add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum to their own mugs.

How to Package the Gift

Pair the 16-ounce garnish jar with the small jar of orange rimming sugar. Place them in a gift bag, small basket or wooden crate with one or two pretty glasses.

You could also add:

A bottle of sparkling water, ginger ale or cranberry juice
A bottle of bourbon, prosecco or nonalcoholic sparkling wine
A small bottle of simple syrup
Paper straws or cocktail picks
A citrus juicer
A handwritten copy of the Cranberry-Orange Holiday Mocktail recipe

For a family gift, skip the alcohol and label it a Family Holiday Mocktail Night Kit. Add popcorn, a holiday movie and a set of festive cups for an easy gift everyone can enjoy.

Storage and Shelf Life

Store both jars tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from heat, humidity and direct sunlight.

Holiday garnish jar: Best used within 3 months for the nicest color and flavor. Properly dehydrated ingredients may remain usable longer, but inspect them before use.
Orange rimming sugar: Best used within 3 months.

Discard the contents if you notice moisture, clumping that appears damp, mold, an unusual odor or any other sign of spoilage. Do not place used or wet garnishes back into the jar.

If you live in a humid climate, a food-safe desiccant packet can help protect the unopened garnish jar during storage. The packet must stay sealed and should be removed before the jar is used.

Suggested Gift-Tag Wording

Holiday Garnish Jar
Add dried fruit or spices to cocktails, mocktails, sparkling water, cider or holiday punch. Cinnamon sticks and whole star anise are for flavor and decoration—do not eat. Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place. Best used within 3 months.

Orange Rimming Sugar
Moisten the edge of a glass with an orange wedge or simple syrup. Dip the rim into the sugar, fill with your favorite holiday drink and enjoy. Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place. Best used within 3 months.

A Gift Made for Sharing

This Holiday Garnish Jar and Orange Rimming Sugar set is simple enough to make in an afternoon but pretty enough to bring to a holiday party. It works for cocktail lovers, families and anyone who enjoys making an ordinary drink feel a little more special.

Make one for a hostess—or prepare several assembly-line style for teachers, neighbors, friends and family. It is a cheerful homemade gift that invites everyone to slow down, pour something festive and enjoy a little time together.

Follow Grounded in Thyme for DIY Holiday Gift Ideas!