As you know, I’ve been talking all about home this month on IBC. I certainly hope you’re enjoying it! It’s been a fun challenge for me.

In keeping with this month’s theme, today I’m going to share a DIY Vase, but I’m also throwing in three cocktail recipes! These recipes are all unique in that I made them using a Soda Stream. I’ve been seeing these cool gadgets everywhere and today, I’m putting one to the test.

Being a new Soda Stream user, I must say I had a great time testing all of the delicious drink options available. I love creating new things (and a good party) so coming up with a few drink recipes was a blast. I even invited my BFF over to sample my creations. It always helps to have a friend nearby when taste testing.

I was inspired by the season to create this little collection. An elegant Halloween evening would be the theme behind these cocktails and my craft. Leave the witches and cobwebs outside, snuggle up with your special someone, and sip on a cocktail or two. Let’s get this party started.

Pears are one of my favorite flavors of the season. The smell of them literally makes my mouth water. The Black Currant & Pear mix was the perfect base for this cocktail.

The pear vodka really enhances the flavor, while the St. Germain (one of my favorite liqueurs) brings a botanical flare to the mix.

Let’s get shaking!

Black Currant & Pear Martini

2 oz. Soda Stream Black Currant & Pear Sparkling Soda
3 oz. pear vodka
1 oz. St. Germain Liqueur
Lemon wedge
Pear slice for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Soda Stream Black Currant & Pear, pear vodka, St. Germain, and the juice of one lemon wedge. Shake vigorously.

Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a pear slice.

This next drink is a little out of my comfort zone. Typically, I’m not a big fan of bourbon or whiskey. I want to be, but I’m just not there yet. Maybe when I’m 40.

Even so I gave this cocktail a try and I’m pleased to report that I love it. The Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea mixture really toned down the flavor of the bourbon. And the orange and mint add a bright freshness to the combination.

This could be a new fall favorite. Let me show you how to muddle one.

Sweet Tea Bourbon

4 oz. Soda Stream Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea Sparkling Drink
2 oz. bourbon
1 oz. agave syrup
1 orange, quartered
4 mint leaves
Orange slice and mint leaves for garnish.

In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, add agave syrup, orange quarters, and mint leaves. Using a muddler or the back of the spoon, mix these ingredients together. Add a generous scoop of ice. Then add the Soda Stream Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea and bourbon. Shake well.

Pour over a glass filled with ice, orange slice, and a couple mint leaves.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking; grapefruit really isn’t a fall fruit. Humor me for just a bit. Once you put this drink to your lips, you’ll quickly change your mind.

What I really like about this cocktail is the spicy kick that comes from the cayenne pepper. That alone makes this drink ideal for fall. As the weather starts to cool, it helps to have something that warms you from the inside out.

I also like the fact that the Diet Pink Grapefruit mix cuts a few calories from this margarita. That works for me!

Okay, now it’s time to get our mix on.

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

4 oz. Soda Stream Diet Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Soda
2 oz. tequila
1 oz. cayenne simple syrup*
1 lime wedge
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Grapefruit slice for garnish

On a small plate, mix together the salt and cayenne pepper. Run the lime wedge around the edge of your margarita glass. Dip your glass in the salt and cayenne mixture. Set aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Soda Stream Diet Pink Grapefruit, tequila, cayenne simple syrup, and the juice from one lime wedge. Shake well. Pour the margarita and the ice into your salt-rimmed glass. Add more ice, if needed.

* Cayenne Simple Syrup – Bring ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to a simmer over medium-high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. I usually let the mixture summer for about 10 minutes to create a thicker syrup. Remove from heat. Allow syrup to cool completely.

Pretty fabulous recipes, right? Based on the descriptions and pictures, which one are you loving the most?

Now, if you have some of the above supplies on hand, go mix yourself up a drink and join me back here for a little craft time.

Before I got a Soda Stream, I had a bunch of plastic bottles lying around, ready for recycling. Instead of sending them out the door, I decided to do something with them.

In keeping with the elegant Halloween evening theme, I decided some flowers were in order. And since flowers require a vase of some sort, my plastic bottles were about to get a new life.

Plastic Bottle Vase

For this craft you will need:

plastic bottles (I’m using six, but this could easily be done with two.)
washi tape
rubber band
bouquet of flowers

First, group your bottles together in the way you’d like your final vase to look. Place a large rubber band around all of the bottles. This will keep everything in place for the next step.

Then, grab your favorite colors of washi tape and start wrapping it around the grouping of bottles. I went with a uniform horizontal stripe pattern in varied colors. Use your imagination and get creative.

Next, fill each of your bottles with water.

Finally, tuck in your flowers.

What I really love about this vase is that it makes flower arranging super simple. If you are using a variegated bouquet, tuck a few of each color / type into each bottle. If you are using all of the same color / type, just tuck the same amount into each vase. It’s really that simple.

I think the resulting vase and arrangement is super special. You really wouldn’t even know they were plastic bottle until you closely inspected the vase.

After my vase was created, I quickly set the table to bring all of this awesomeness together.

Some gold flatware and brass candlesticks upped the elegant factor. Plus I included a few white mini-pumpkins for a festive Halloween touch!

With my Black Currant & Pear Martinis served and my arrangement in place, the table is complete.

There you have it! Three cocktails and a quick, easy, low cost vase! Which one of these cocktails sounds the yummiest to you?

This is a sponsored post thanks to my friends at Soda Stream. Remember, I only post about products or companies I love. All ideas and opinions are my own.

31 Days of Home:
Intro, Day 01, Day 02, Day 03, Day 04, Day 05, Day 06, Day 07, Day 08, Day 09, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Today is Day 25!