Homemade “Baileys” (this delightful treat is thanks to my sister-in-law Bettie!)

• 3 cups Rye whiskey
• 2 tins Eagle Brand condensed milk
• 6 egg yolks, whipped
• 1 tbsp instant coffee (diluted in water)
• 1 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 4 cups whipping cream

In a blender or using an electric hand mixer, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to one week. Stir before serving.

Makes 8 cups (2 large bottles worth!)

‘Boozy’ Gift Bag

Don’t show up to that holiday party with a naked bottle of homemade Bailey’s! Dress it up with the sleeve of a well-worn dress shirt. This also works well as a bag for other gifts too, like a great bottle of wine!

INGREDIENTS:

· Long-sleeved button-down shirt (sleeves must be wide enough to hold a wine bottle. Cuffs with lots of buttons look great!)

· Ribbon or raffia or feather boa

· Bracelets/anklets (optional)

TOOLS: scissors, sewing machine, thread (or hot glue gun & hot glue sticks in lieu of the sewing machine)

Method using sewing machine:

1. Cut the sleeve of your shirt 4” (10 cm) longer than the length of a wine bottle. This cut edge will be the bottom of the bag.
2. Flip the sleeve inside out. Sew the cut edge using 3/8” seam allowance and with a single needle straight stitch.
3. OPTIONAL: Miter the corners of the bag so that it sits flat on a counter surface. To miter the corners on the bottom of the gift bag, pull open the sides to create triangles on either ends of the straight seam. Fold each triangle towards each other, so points meet in the centre of the seam. Edge-stitch the outer edge of the “triangle” to secure the triangle shapes. This will create the flat bottom.
4. Flip the sleeve right-side out, and your gift bag is done!
5. Tie ribbon around the neck of the bottle to add a decorative touch and secure into place.
6. OPTIONAL: add a bracelet or anklet to give your wine holder some personality; and it becomes a bonus gift for the hostess! Or find a shirt that’s made for cufflinks. You can make the cufflinks yourself, and they become part of the gift!

Method using hot glue gun:

1. Cut the sleeve of your shirt 4” (10 cm) longer than the length of a wine bottle. This cut edge will be the bottom of the bag.
2. Flip the sleeve inside out. Run a bead of hot glue along the inside edge of the cut end of the sleeve, and adhere the two edges together.
3. Flip the sleeve right-side out, and your gift bag is done!
4. Decorate as the same instructions above.