10 Ways to Reuse Rum Bottles
Ever carry the recycling to the curb and wonder how you can put those glass bottles to use? We do. (If you’re familiar with our environmental sustainability practices, you’re probably not surprised!) Recycling is a good practice, but it takes a lot less energy to reuse an item than it does to recycle it. And it’s a win-win if reuse helps you create something you’d otherwise have to buy.
We love our bottles so much we can’t help but think they’re perfect candidates for a second life. They’re made from high-quality Cradle to Cradle certified glass, and the synthetic corks (made in the USA) have such a cool look with a beautiful wooden top. Here are ten ways to reuse Montanya rum bottles once you’re finished the liquid gold inside:
Montanya cocktails are often made with homemade infusions and simple syrups that line the bar in reused rum bottles.
#1 Store Simple Syrups and Homemade Rum Infusions
In the Montanya Tasting Room, we make our cocktails with homemade simple syrups and infusions. While some recipes definitely make use of the tried and true—one part water, one part sugar—we’ve never felt limited to just one. We make honey syrup, agave syrup, triple syrup (sugar, honey and agave), bay leaf reduction, Maharaja syrup with cloves, cinnamon and cardamom, and so many other specialized syrups for our cocktails. They last in the fridge or on the shelf for 30 days to forever, depending on what you’ve made. When you visit, you’ll see that we store and serve them using old Montanya rum bottles, labels removed.
#2 Store and Serve Olive Oil or Olive Oil Infusions
We love a good meal as much as we love a good cocktail, and quality olive oil goes a long way in the kitchen. Consider buying your olive oil in bulk steel tins to save money, keep the oil fresher and use less packaging, filling empty rum bottles (washed and labels removed) for everyday use. Most kitchen stores sell stainless steel and rubber spouts that fit into the neck of the bottle, or you can use the cork that comes with it. Just be careful when pouring!
If you feel like getting fancy, olive oil infusions are a simple way to transform household olive oil into something special. Try rosemary, lemon or spice it up. This article from Brit & Co covers the basics. (We also feel better storing our olive oil in glass rather than plastic, because over time chemicals from plastic can end up in your olive oil.)
The Montanya barrel tree featured twinkle lights inside of rum bottles.
#3 Step Up Your Holiday and Party Decorations
We added twinkle lights to empty Montanya Rum bottles when we decorated this year’s barrel tree. While we left the labels on as a way to celebrate our rum, it’s easy to remove them for a classic (and unbranded) look at your next party. Many stores sell battery-operated lights designed for bottles so you can get the look without the wires. Just look up wine bottle lights. (We recommend using rechargeable batteries to avoid the waste and short lifespan of small electronics batteries )
#4 Make a Collection of Vases
You may be picturing a clear glass bottle with one or two flowers sticking out of the top, but the opportunities for decoration and customization are endless. We were inspired by this post on Nifty by Buzzfeed: washi tape, twine or yarn, and paint all transform an ordinary bottle into something special. And if you’re a spirits connoisseur, you’re sure to like #10 on this list of ideas on Wide Open Country—we’ve always thought spirits bottles are beautiful, but this takes it to a whole new level.
#5 Create Sand Art
Remember those art projects you did as a kid, filling glass bottles with layers of colored sand? Maybe it’s time to channel your inner child.
#6 Light Some Candles
We can’t help but think that a collection of bottles—especially a variety of sizes—would look beautiful topped with candles (well away from flammable materials, of course). When you place the candle in the opening, wrap the end with a small piece of foil, corners sticking out to catch the drips and make removal easy after the candle burns down.
#7 Put Your Green Thumb to Use
We have to admit, this is a project to complete at your own discretion. Not everyone should handle a glass cutter. But if you’re proficient with power tools, you might like this idea from Thrillest: turn a bottle into a planter, perfect for succulents.
You can also cut the bottles in half lengthwise, frost and smooth the edges, and turn them into candleholders, glassware and planters. Amazon has a glass cutter that works and the results are gorgeous!
#8 Keep Your Plants Happy When You Leave Town
If you try this one, you’ll have to let us know how it works! Gobourbon.com suggests filling an empty spirits bottle with water and sticking it upside down into the dirt of your houseplant to water plants while you’re gone.
#9 Use Them as Water Pitchers
Guests coming to dinner? Fill the washed and empty rum bottles with water so guests can refill their glasses.
Photo courtesy Unsplash.
#10 Send a Love Note
Who wouldn’t love to receive a message in a bottle? Either leave it loose so the message can be read through the glass, or role it tight and tie with a string—let the string trail out of the bottle for easier removal.