All Shapes and Sizes

• You eat and drink with your eyes first, so it only makes sense that your handcrafted Irish cream should be displayed in a great looking bottle. All types of bottles will do though, whichever bottle you choose, make sure it has a closure that seals properly. Clear or dark glass bottles are ideal for liqueur and may be purchased at local craft stores or through various manufacturers for relatively low prices. Consider glass round bottles with cork stoppers or glass square bottles with swing-top closures for an extra-tight seal. If you choose to store your Irish cream in plastic bottles, be sure that the plastic is BPA free. Research suggests that BPA leaches from plastic when exposed to the high temperatures associated with dishwashers. Therefore, if plastic bottles must be used, wash them in cool or warm water only.

Recycle and Reuse

• Recycling is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for your homemade liqueur. Collect and save your empty olive oil or vinegar bottles. Empty screw-top wine bottles with the labels removed also work well; just remember to reserve the screw-top closures.

Storing Your Liqueur

• Most homemade Irish cream recipes incorporate light or heavy cream and sometimes eggs, which means that the finished product has a limited storage life and must be refrigerated to maintain freshness. Refrigerate homemade Irish cream in a sealed glass or plastic container, and check the expiration date of the cream; include this information on a personalized label affixed to the bottle. If your recipe calls for both cream and eggs, indicate an expiration date that coincides with whichever expires first.

Keep It Clean

• Whether it's recycled or purchased, your glass bottles should be sterilized to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Start by washing the bottles in very hot and soapy water or in the dishwasher on the hot cycle. Set the glass bottles on a baking sheet and place them it in a preheated 325 degree Fahrenheit oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Allow bottles to cool before filling. Wash BPA-free plastic bottles in hot water with anti-bacterial soap. Allow them to dry before filling. Don’t forget to wash the closures thoroughly and allow them to dry before placing on the bottles.