What better way to enjoy a warm summer evening than sipping a cocktail on the back deck? Cubes of ice clinking and a soft breeze rustling in the trees, there’s nothing more relaxing.
Whether you’re a craft cocktail connoisseur or prefer to stick to the basics, a cool drink is always refreshing. Even better if it’s served in a beautiful glass! Premium glassware can be expensive, but you may already have an alternative just waiting to be enjoyed: the empty glass vessels from your LAFCO candles.
Artfully crafted from hand blown glass, LAFCO candle vessels can be used for everything from vases to bookends. They also make perfect glasses for homemade cocktails.
How to Prepare Your Vessel
Every LAFCO candle vessel is carefully crafted by hand for beauty and quality. Produced in a wide variety of colors and patterns, these vessels complement the fragrances of the candles they contain. Because they’re made from glass, these vessels are food safe, and they make wonderful cocktail glasses.
Before using your LAFCO vessel, you’ll need to prepare it. Here’s how:
- Allow the candle to cool completely after the last use.
- Place the vessel in the freezer overnight so the wax hardens completely.
- Scrape the wax out of the vessel, taking care not to break the glass.
- Soak the vessel in hot water for an hour and remove any wax that floats to the surface.
- Wash the vessel with soapy water and let it dry.
While LAFCO candles come in several different sizes, the Classic 6.5-ounce size may be best for cocktails. If you enjoy pitcher-style drinks, the Signature 15.5-ounce vessel would work well.
Try Out These Delicious & Refreshing Cocktail Recipes
A delicious cocktail doesn’t have to be complicated – with a few high-quality ingredients, you can whip up something tasty. Below you’ll find a collection of simple but satisfying cocktails to enjoy in your repurposed LAFCO vessel, including a few mocktails.
Classic Margarita
Served on the rocks with a lime wedge, a classic margarita is always refreshing.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces tequila blanco
- 1 ounce triple sec
- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
- Flaked sea salt
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
- Slice the middle of a lime wedge and run it around the rim of your LAFCO vessel.
- Dip the rim of the glass in a plate sprinkled with flaked sea salt.
- Combine the tequila blanco, triple sec, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until cold.
- Strain the liquid into the glass then fill with ice.
- Serve with a lime wedge.
Minty Mojito
Grab a handful of fresh mint from your herb garden and whip up this classic cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 6 leaves fresh mint
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 to 4 ounces soda water
Instructions:
- Muddle the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.
- Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Add ice and shake until cold.
- Fill the LAFCO vessel with ice and strain the liquid over it.
- Top off the glass with soda water and garnish with mint.
Gin Fizz
Sweet and tangy with a delicate layer of frothy egg white on top, this easy cocktail is sure to please.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Lemon twist
Instructions:
- Combine the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
- Shake for 15 seconds then add ice and shake until cold.
- Strain the mixture into your LAFCO glass vessel.
- Top off with soda water and garnish with a lemon twist.
New York Sour
A flavorful combo of a whiskey sour and red wine, this colorful cocktail is perfect for summer.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce dry red wine
- Lemon twist
Instructions:
- Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until very cold.
- Strain the mixture into your ice-filled glass vessel.
- Pour in the red wine over the back of a spoon.
- Serve with a lemon twist.
Aperol Spritz
Light and bubbly, this classic cocktail features hints of citrus and herb to freshen things up.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Aperol, chilled
- 3 ounces sparkling wine, chilled
- 1 ounce soda water
- Orange wedge
Instructions:
- Pour the Aperol into your LAFCO vessel and fill with ice.
- Stir then top off the glass with sparkling wine and soda water.
- Squeeze an orange wedge into the glass and stir gently.
- Serve with a straw.
Old Fashioned
Aptly named, this timeless cocktail is warm and slightly sweet.
Ingredients:
- 1 sugar cube (or 1 teaspoon sugar)
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- ½ teaspoon water
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Large ice cube
- 1-inch strip orange peel
Instructions:
- Place the sugar cube in your LAFCO vessel and add the bitters.
- Add the water then mash the sugar cube, swirling to melt the sugar.
- Pour in the whiskey and swirl to combine.
- Add a large ice cube.
- Squeeze the orange peel into the glass.
- Run the peel around the rim of the glass then place it in the glass to serve.
Paloma
The perfect combination of tequila and tart grapefruit, this drink is light and refreshing.
Ingredients:
- Grapefruit wedge
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce soda water
- Flaked sea salt
Instructions:
- Notch the grapefruit wedge and run it around the rim of your LAFCO vessel.
- Dip the edge of the glass in flaked sea salt then set it upright.
- Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in the glass.
- Stir well to combine then fill the glass with ice.
- Top with soda water to serve.
Virgin Pina Colada
Sweet and cold, this virgin pina colada is easy to whip up in large batches.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- Fresh pineapple wedges
Instructions:
- Combine the pineapple, coconut milk, and simple syrup in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and well combined.
- Adjust sweetness to taste and pour into your LAFCO vessel.
- Serve with a pineapple wedge.
Bloody Mary Mocktail
This mocktail is full of flavor from spicy, savory, and salty notes. It’s perfect for brunch!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups tomato juice
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
- ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- Old Bay seasoning
- Salt
- Garnishes: lemon wedges, celery sticks, olives, cocktail onions
Instructions:
- Chill the tomato juice, if possible, until very cold.
- Combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, olive juice, Tabasco, celery salt, and black pepper in a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well to combine then strain into a glass container.
- Chill for at least 1 hour but ideally overnight, if you have time.
- Combine equal parts salt and Old Bay on a plate.
- Notch a lemon wedge and run it around the rim of your LAFCO vessel.
- Dip the rim of the glass in the salt and Old Bay mixture.
- Pour ½ cup of the Bloody Mary mix into the vessel and fill with ice.
- Add garnishes as desired.
With a little creative thinking, you can turn your LAFCO candle vessel into beautiful new drinkware and more. Showcase your work using the hashtag #LAFCORepurposed for a chance to be featured on one of our social media accounts.