Conference turris::cooks

    Try beer bottles.  Some stores still carry Grolsh(?) beer with the
    bottles that have the attached snap-on type of lids.  Just last night,
    Purity was selling large bottles of beer for $2 - the bottle is very
    dark brown (no idea what the make is) and it's the perfect size for
    storing flavored vinegars.  If you are in NH, we have a few empties to
    spare....Send mail.

         Another type of bottle is the Kaluha bottle itself.  Ask friends,
    family, etc. to save these bottles for you.
    

    Thanks for the replies so far; I've thought of using 'recycled'
    bottles but I'd rather not as I plan to give the Kahlua away
    as gifts. Keep those ideas coming....Anyone know of a bottling
    company that I might contact?

    Be carefull about describing what you make as Kahlua. Call it chocolate
    /coffee based alcoholic beverage or Kahlua-like, but claiming to make a
    homemade brandname product gets them nasty. (Not that you'll ever be
    approached by the people who make it, but... THis is the land of the
    litigators, and you never know...)
    
    q
    
    

    The same spanish/decorative bottles sold in Williams-Sonoma can be
    found at any Crate & Barrel. Also, most malls have a cooking wares 
    store and they stock 'em. Lastly, I believe that I have seen them at
    Spag's during the summer.

    Would you share your recipe with us?
    
    Thanks
    
    Flo

    Those Grolsch bottles have become yuppy merchandise.  Theey seel the
    empty ones at Pickety Place for more than th full ones used to go for.
    
    ed

    
    Try your Yellow Pages for Bottle Wholesalers/Manufacturers.  You may
    have to buy a whole case, but it soulds like you would use that many
    eventually.  Also, many of these places offer custom silk-screen
    labelling if you want to get fancy.
    

    Old wine bottles with new corks would work great.  After the bottle is
    corked, chill it by dipping the neck in ice water.  Then dip it in
    melted wax, then in ice water, in wax, etc.  Until you have a nice
    buildup.  Use colored, unscented wax (not melted scented candles).
    
    You could also seal a strip of ribbon into the wax, then use sealing
    wax and a signet to attach the ribbon to the bottle (like Grand
    Marnier).  
    
    You could also make up personalized labels, and glue them on, or use
    premade gummed labels, and just personalize them for each recipient. 
    The wine bottles make it easier to decorate the bottle itself.
    
    			-JP

	KAHLUA
	++++++

INGREDIENTS:
============

2 ea. vanilla beans (chopped fine)
1 qt. brandy
4 oz. instant coffee
6-8 cups sugar
4 cups boiling water


SUPPLIES:
========

For Now:
-------

1 gallon size glass jug

In 30 days:
----------

Cheesecloth 
4 Smaller (approx. 2-3 cup)  glass jars (I get some from Williams-Sonoma)


STEPS:
=====

1. Mix the coffee and sugar together in a very large bowl.
2. Dissolve the coffee/sugar mixture in the 4 cups of boiling water. 
3. Let mixture cool.
4. Add vanilla beans and brandy.
5. Pour this into the gallon jug and seal it tightly.
6. Label the jug with the date for 30 days from now.
7. Store the jug in a cool, dark place.
8. Occasionally tip the jug upside-down & right-side up during the 30 
   day period.
9. At 30 day point, strain the Kahula with cheesecloth & place in
   smaller jars.   ENJOY!!

    Hi-
    
    Just to close out this note. I just recieved a catalog which has
    reasonable prices for 14 oz. clear bottles and 12 oz. brown bottles.
    ($8.50/ dozen clear and $11.79/24 ea. brown).
    
    Beer and Wine Hobby, 180 New Boston Street rear, Woburn, MA 01801-6206
    (617) 933-8818 for consulting and info./ 1-800-523-5423 for orders.

I love Beer and Wine hobby.  Buy lots of toys there.  And the owner is VERY
knowledgeable about home brews.

When my roommates were bottling their own wine, the best value they found for
new bottles was at Nashoba Winery, although I forget the prices.

j.

    
    
    I Have been making this for years and have been using the bottle
    mentioned in RE:2.  I just ask friends to return the bottles, as the
    will get another surprize the next year.......
    
    :)