Moonshine gifts: how to turn this drink into a special present
When it comes to gifting an artisan bottle of alcohol, or a gift box of spirits, moonshine is probably not the first choice that comes to mind. As a once-prohibited substance, the 21st century has seen a resurgence in the popularity of moonshine and a widespread appreciation for this vibrant and versatile drink. Rather than opting for a bottle of a familiar liquor, take your gift giving to the next level by giving an exciting spirit with an engaging history. For those who love to give or receive unusual gifts with an interesting story and a fantastic taste, moonshine is an excellent choice, so read on to be inspired to give this drink as a special present.
What is moonshine?
In the aftermath of the American revolution, moonshine was traditionally made using the leftover crops of that season, meaning the spirit can be made from a variety of vegetables, fruits and grains. These accessible ingredients made moonshine a popular drink during the prohibition era in the US, maintaining its popularity throughout the 1920s as a staple of the underground alcohol trade.
The name may bring to mind ideas of a smokey underground speakeasy or rolling barrels of questionable alcohol along cobblestones in the dead of night, but these outdated images could not be further from modern moonshine. Today, moonshine is as popular as ever and is openly welcomed in bars, at parties and during dinners as an exciting alternative to other spirits.
Whether you are gifting one statement bottle of flavoured moonshine, or several small bottles as a gift set, it is important to consider the unique tastes and preferences of the receiver. Moonshine is often considered an enjoyable alternative to whisky due to its similar flavour profile, yet there is a wide variety of moonshine flavours on the market, and you can be certain that the ideal flavour is out there when searching for moonshine that your recipient will love. This also makes moonshine the ideal spirit to include in a range of cocktails and recipes, as well as offering an exciting opportunity to experiment with flavours and create drinks that are tailored to individual tastes and occasions.
How to gift moonshine
As is the case with most gifts, it is always the thought that counts. But coming in at a very close second is the look and presentation of the gift. When gifting a bottle of alcohol, it can be tempting to hand over the bottle on its own; however, when gifting as interesting and unique a gift as moonshine, the presentation should reflect the gift. A bottle bag is a nice touch, but if you want to do something imaginative and different with your bottle, try these ideas:
⦁ Wrap the moonshine bottle in craft paper or tissue paper for a simple yet stylish gift. Add a pop of colour around the neck of the bottle with a ribbon or garland, and add any extra decorations that your recipient will like, including your own gift tags or custom labels for a personalised, sweet touch that compliments the uniqueness of the gift, particularly if you have opted for flavoured moonshine.
⦁ Make a miniature moonshine bottle bouquet, a themed gift-box or a minibar in a jar. This gives you the opportunity to give multiple different flavours of moonshine, as well as being able to include other, smaller gifts or embellishments.
What to gift with moonshine
If you are unsure about gifting moonshine as a standalone gift, or you are interested in including more gifts to compliment this versatile spirit, there are a few gifts that work wonderfully with moonshine.
⦁ One of the first questions that springs to mind when discussing moonshine is how exactly to drink it. Moonshine can be enjoyed with a range of mixers, so why not include a bottle or two of your recipients favourite mixers, or a flavoured mixer to compliment the different flavours of moonshine. For example, pink moonshine is ideally suited for prosecco, whilst chocolate or coffee flavoured moonshines are an excellent choice for spicing up an espresso martini.
⦁ If the idea of a particular drink or flavour has captured your attention, why not include a personalised recipe card or recommendation list in your gift? As a unique and original idea, enclosing serving suggestions is an excellent way to ensure your gift is appreciated and used to its full potential.
⦁ As is the case with many alcoholic gifts, including a set of glasses is always a stylish and functional way to elevate your present. Whether you opt for highball, shot, or even mason jars, including glasses is a considerate finishing touch to any gift set.
Foods to go with Moonshine
Gifting a selection of foods and flavours that compliment the unique flavour of the moonshine is an elegant and considerate addition to your gift. Depending upon the flavour, or flavours, that you opt for, there will be a range of different foodstuffs to choose from, but for a staple list of foods that compliment moonshine we recommend:
⦁ Dark Chocolate
⦁ Cheese
⦁ Crackers or crisps
⦁ Dried fruit and nuts
⦁ Cold meats
These snacks can be easily incorporated into a gift box or hamper, and for a little something extra to embellish your gifts, why not include a small set of garnishes. For moonshine, the best accompanying garnishes are dried flowers, mint sprigs, Maraschino cherries and orange peel.
If you are looking for more inspiration for moonshine gifts, as well as a wide range of innovative and unique flavours, visit The Sweet Potato Spirit Company. They offer a range of spirits made from handpicked sweet potatoes, including moonshine and moonshine gift boxes, from their website.