Homemade boozy Christmas gifts

4. Add the ingredients
The basic method for making your drinks is the same in each case: you simply mix together all the ingredients in each recipe, pour into your sterile containers and store somewhere cool and dark for as long as possible.

The more time you allow ingredients to infuse the alcohol base, the more flavour is produced. Indeed, it's worth making quantities now for Christmas 2002, if you're really keen and organised.

5. Strain and bottle
To bottle your presents, strain liquors through a fine sieve. Fruit-based drinks can produce a cloudy sediment, so pour them carefully through coffee filter paper, too. Strain and bottle your booze several days ahead of presentation to give any remaining sediment time to settle.

You can present your bottles in wine gift boxes, or just tie with a ribbon. If you're very keen, draw, paint or print out a label and glue it on for that finishing touch.

Recipes:

• Christmas Pudding Vodka
  
• Hazelnut Frangelico
  
• Ginger Wine
  
• Irish Cream
  
• Cranberry and Raspberry Vodka
  
• Cassis
  
• Limoncello
  
• Sloe gin

Do you make your own booze? Or do you need some more advice or help? Post your comments and queries about this article.