Step Up Your Stocking Stuffer Game With This Mini Vanilla Cranberry Mojito Kit

Desperate for a last-minute gift that's both thoughtful and inexpensive? Skip the wine aisle and give your loved ones this creative cocktail kit filled with all the ingredients needed to make a delicious, wintry mojito.

By: Chelsea Faulkner

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Don't get me wrong. I love wine. I love to drink it and I love to gift it (it's so easy!). But sometimes, I want to give a gift that says "I put thought into this." So this year, I'm stepping up my booze gift game and giving mini Vanilla Cranberry Mojito kits instead. These kits are so inexpensive, delicious and easy to make, I might just give one to all my friends, family and coworkers. You're welcome, guys. Get the details here:

Cranberry Mojito Kit 01:04

Forget wine and gift a cranberry mojito kit instead this holiday season.

Shake up the kit contents with a little ice and you get this delicious and seasonal (not to mention beautiful!) take on the classic mojito. Read on to learn how to create your own.

Materials Needed

equal parts (about 1/4 cup each) water, sugar and fresh cranberries
(3) 2 oz. glass or clear plastic bottles
vanilla rum
club soda
chalkboard tape
silver gel pen
printable Vanilla Cranberry Mojito recipe card
clear cocktail shaker

(1) lime
fresh mint
fresh cranberries (for garnish)
clear cellophane
gift tag
baker's twine
stir stick (optional)
decorative paper straw (optional)

Make Simple Syrup

In a small saucepan, bring cranberries, sugar and water to a simmer over medium heat. Lower heat to medium-low and cook for 10 more minutes or just before cranberries begin to burst. Remove from heat. Once cool, strain simple syrup into a spouted bowl or measuring cup. Tip: For extra flavor, let mixture cool overnight in the fridge before straining.

Fill Bottles With Liquid Ingredients

Using a small funnel or spouted container, carefully pour simple syrup, club soda and vanilla rum into clear 2 oz. bottles. Clean any spills or dripss with a wet washcloth and let dry. Tip: Leftover simple syrup can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week.

Write and Attach Labels

Cut chalkboard tape into decoratively-shaped labels sized to fit the 2 oz. bottles. Write the name of each liquid ingredient with a silver gel pen or fine-tipped chalkboard marker and attach to respective containers. Tip: Create gorgeous, handwritten labels with this faux calligraphy hack.

Download and Print Recipe

Print a free 3.5x5-inch copy of the Vanilla Cranberry Mojito recipe card. Roll printed recipe into a loose scroll (ingredient-side in) and secure with baker's twine.

Assemble and Wrap

Remove lid of cocktail shaker and place a handful of cranberries in the bottom. Follow with a small lime, bottles of liquid ingredients, recipe card, stir stick, straw and two sprigs of fresh mint.

Place shaker lid upside down and fit bottom of shaker inside the upturned lid, creating a removable base. Wrap completed kit in clear cellophane, tie with baker's twine and finish with a handwritten gift tag. To ensure freshness, kit should be used within 3 days.

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Tip: This kit makes one Vanilla Cranberry Mojito and is perfect for stuffing a stocking. For a larger gift, simply increase the sizes and quantities of the materials and ingredients.

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