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Holiday Cocktail Infusion Flight: Three DIY Jars for One Memorable Gift

Saturday is our big reveal: three cocktail infusion flight jars gathered into one holiday gift set. Each jar has its own flavor, and the person receiving it gets to choose the spirit, add it at home, and enjoy the infusion a few days later.

The flight includes a Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned for bourbon, a Cranberry-Orange Spice jar for vodka, gin, or brandy, and a Pineapple-Lime Ginger jar for white rum or tequila. Line them up in a small wooden crate or gift box, add a tag to each jar, and you have a gift that looks as fun as it is to make.

The idea: Give the jars dry. The recipient adds the alcohol. Each recipe below fits a 16-ounce wide-mouth jar and calls for 12 ounces of spirits. Check that your jars can close comfortably after the spirits are added; dried fruit varies in size.

What You’ll Need for the Flight

Three clean, completely dry 16-ounce wide-mouth jars with tight-fitting lids
Dried fruit and whole spices listed below
Three gift tags, ribbon or twine, and a box or crate
Optional: a fine-mesh strainer, cocktail glasses, bitters, or a small bottle of simple syrup
Optional: the appropriate spirits, if you plan to include them and can give them to an adult of legal drinking age

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Look for fully dried, food-grade fruit without a wet or sticky surface. Choose dried pineapple that is pliable but not moist; a heavily sweetened candied version will make a sweeter infusion. Do not substitute fresh fruit or fresh ginger in jars you plan to assemble ahead and give dry.

Jar 1: Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned

This is the bourbon jar we made for Monday’s full article. Add ½ cup dried tart cherries, 3 dried orange slices, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole cloves, and an optional tablespoon of turbinado sugar to a 16-ounce jar. The recipient adds 12 ounces of bourbon, infuses for 3–5 days, tastes beginning on day 3, then strains.

Read the full Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion Jar recipe here. It includes the detailed steps, gift-tag wording, and an Old Fashioned cocktail recipe.

Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion Jar Recipe

This Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion combines dried cherries, dried orange slices, cinnamon, and cloves with bourbon for a smooth cocktail filled with warm citrus and cherry flavor. Easy to assemble and beautiful in the jar, it makes a thoughtful homemade holiday gift—just add bourbon, infuse for 3–5 days, strain, and enjoy over ice with bitters.

Equipment

1 16 ounce glass jar with lid

Ingredients

1/2 cup dried tart cherries
3 dried orange slices
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 tablespoon turbinado or raw sugar optional

Instructions

To Assemble the Gift Jar
Make sure the jar and lid are completely clean and dry.
Add the dried cherries to the jar.
Tuck the dried orange slices along the inside of the glass so they can be seen.
Add the cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and optional sugar.
Seal the jar tightly.
Add a ribbon or twine and attach the infusion directions below.

Notes

Do not add the bourbon until you are ready to begin the infusion. If you are giving the jar as a gift, the recipient can add their favorite bourbon at home.
12 ounces bourbon
Infusion time: 3–5 days
Makes: Approximately six cocktails

Jar 2: Cranberry-Orange Spice

Cranberry-Orange Spice

Tart cranberry and citrus meet warm spice in this one. Vodka keeps the fruit front and center; gin brings a botanical twist; brandy makes it richer.

Equipment

1 16-ounce jar

Ingredients

⅓ cup dried cranberries
2 fully dried orange slices
1 small cinnamon stick
1 whole clove
1 small piece of star anise optional
12 ounces vodka gin, or brandy, added by the recipient

Instructions

To assemble: Place the dry ingredients in a clean, completely dry jar and seal. Attach a tag that says: “Add 12 oz vodka, gin, or brandy. Seal and infuse in a cool, dark place for 2–4 days, turning gently once a day. Taste on day 2. Strain into a clean bottle when the flavor is right; refrigerate.”

Notes

To serve: Pour 2 ounces of the strained infusion over ice and top with sparkling water or tonic. Add a dried orange slice, if you like. If the dried cranberries are sweetened, taste before adding any syrup.

Jar 3: Pineapple-Lime Ginger

Pineapple-Lime Ginger Infusion Jar

This bright, slightly spicy jar gives the flight something completely different. White rum makes an easy tropical drink; tequila gives it a citrusy kick.

Equipment

1 16-ounce jar

Ingredients

⅓ cup chopped fully dried pineapple
2 fully dried lime slices
2–3 small pieces of dried ginger about 1 teaspoon total
12 ounces white rum or tequila added by the recipient

Instructions

To assemble: Place the dry ingredients in a clean, completely dry jar and seal. Attach a tag that says: “Add 12 oz white rum or tequila. Seal and infuse in a cool, dark place for 2–4 days, turning gently once a day. Taste on day 2. Strain into a clean bottle when the flavor is right; refrigerate.”

Put the Gift Set Together

Fill and seal all three dry jars. Label each flavor clearly.
Attach its spirit choice and infusion directions to each jar so the recipient can use them separately.
Nestle the jars in a box or crate with crinkle paper or a folded kitchen towel.
Add a card that says “A little holiday cocktail flight—just add your favorite spirits.”
Add Instruction Cards
- Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned
- Cranberry-Orange Spice
- Pineapple-Lime Ginger

For a larger gift, tuck in two glasses, a strainer, and a few cocktail napkins. You can also add a small tasting card with three lines: Cherry-Orange + bourbon · Cranberry-Orange + vodka, gin, or brandy · Pineapple-Lime Ginger + white rum or tequila.

Make-Ahead and Storage Notes

Assemble the dry jars several weeks ahead and keep them tightly closed in a cool, dry place. Use the earliest best-by date of the ingredients as your guide. If a jar develops moisture, condensation, or an off smell, discard its contents.

Once spirits are added, keep the jars closed in a cool, dark place during the short infusion. Taste early: citrus peel and spices can turn bitter or overpowering. Strain out all fruit and spices, bottle the infusion, refrigerate it, and enjoy it within about two months for best flavor, as in the Cherry-Orange recipe. Discard an infusion that develops mold or an unusual smell or appearance.

These jars are intended for adults of legal drinking age. Enjoy responsibly.

Three little jars, three different drinks, and one gift that gives your favorite holiday host something to look forward to after the wrapping paper is gone.

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