I love both craft cocktail kits and homemade gift baskets– so naturally, I thought why not combine the two? I mean, who doesn’t want all the ingredients for their favorite craft cocktail delivered straight to their door?! After our friends Ben and Liz surprised us with a wine and chocolate tasting kit for a virtual game night, I wanted to return the favor with a DIY margarita gift basket for Cinco de Mayo. It turned out adorable, and since we’re still in prime margarita season, I couldn’t wait to share the details with y’all!

A DIY margarita gift basket is the perfect way to surprise your loved ones with everything they need to enjoy the classic cocktail, especially around Cinco de Mayo. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just showing appreciation for a friend or coworker, this homemade margarita kit makes the perfect gift. Keep reading for tips on creating the ultimate DIY margarita gift basket. I’m also sharing my all-time favorite margarita recipe below!

DIY Margarita Gift Basket

A DIY margarita gift basket is a thoughtful and fun way to surprise a friend, celebrate a special occasion, or thank a party host (bonus points if they’re a Cinco de Mayo party host). This craft cocktail kit is packed with everything you need to make the perfect margarita, and it’s easily customizable to suit any taste.

What to Include in a Margarita Gift Basket

Curating your own margarita themed gift basket is quick, easy, and pretty darn fun. Start with the basics (tequila and lime juice), then get creative with extras like garnishes, orange liqueur, and even personalized items.

Here’s everything I used to make mine–

• Woodchip Basket– I found this woodchip basket at Walmart around Easter. It’s since come back in stock, and I bought a bunch for future gift baskets. I love the natural rustic look, and you can’t beat the price point!
• Tequila– A 375mL Patron bottle is the perfect size and budget-friendly!
• Fresh Citrus Juice– Some people can’t stomach margarita mix (guilty– it’s the simple syrup that does it for me), so I included Santa Cruz organic pure lime juice and grapefruit juice instead.
• Salt– I ordered this fine mediterranean sea salt, along with these cute little glass bottles to hold and label it. 
• Citrus Squeezer (Optional)– If your recipient doesn’t already have one, it’s a handy addition. This one is a staple for our bar. 
• Fresh Citrus– I threw in some lemons for color, but fresh limes are a must!
• Fresh Flowers– I used baby’s breath and yellow solidago asters to fill space without adding weight. 
• Orange Liqueur (Optional)– If you have space (and room in the budget), add orange liqueur like Cointreau to complete the margarita! This particular basket was already nearing eight pounds, so I left it out.
• Crinkle Filler Paper– I order this light ivory crinkle filler paper in bulk from Amazon and use it in all my gift boxes and baskets. 
• Natural Paper– I used this rustic stationery paper to make my own custom labels. 
• Burlap Ribbon– This 1.5″ burlap ribbon is affordable and perfect for a variety of DIY projects!
• Margarita Recipe Card– Every margarita gift basket needs the perfect recipe to match, so include a printed recipe card (like this one) for your all-time favorite margarita (sharing mine below). Also, for extra flair, suggest some margarita variations on the recipe card, like a strawberry or jalapeño margarita.

Customizing Your Margarita Gift Basket

To make your gift even more meaningful, why not tailor each basket to match the recipient’s tastes and personality? By adding thoughtful personal touches, you can transform a basic gift basket into something truly special. Whether you’re including monogrammed drinkware, themed snacks, or a small bouquet of flowers, these little details can make all the difference. For even more inspiration, consider these sweet little additions–

• Customized items like engraved margarita glasses, personalized drink stirrers (love these and these), or a monogrammed bottle opener.
• Bartending accessories like a margarita salt rimmer set (I love this one) or a nice cocktail shaker.
• Gourmet snacks such as homemade salsa, tortilla chips, or spicy margarita-flavored treats (like these gummies).
• Small citrus trees or fresh flowers to add a splash of color and a fresh touch, making it feel extra lush and special.
• Small margarita-themed posters and art prints like this one to decorate their bar area.
• A themed novel or cocktail recipe book like this one to inspire future margarita-making adventures

The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity run wild. Seriously, the sky’s the limit here!

Click below to shop my favorite margarita cocktail kit additions!

How to Make Your Own Margarita Gift Basket

Assembling your DIY margarita gift basket is quick and easy! You can choose between a woven basket like the one I used or a wooden crate for a sturdier option when packing glass bottles. If you do go the crate route, check out Style Me Pretty’s margarita gift crate for inspiration!

If you prefer a more uniform look, peel off the labels from store-bought items like juice bottles, then use a smart cutting machine (like my trusty Cricut Explore Air 2) to cut and glue on your own. I also used this burlap ribbon to create a fun “When life gives you limes, garnish your margarita” gift tag. To make your own, cut a thin rectangular label to roughly the width of your basket or crate and add slits in both sides. Simply slide the ribbon through and attach to your basket.

Once all my labels were created, I filled the bottom of the basket with air pillows and threw in some crinkle filler paper. Whenever I’m assembling a gift basket, I try to balance all the larger heavy items in the back and the lighter delicate items up front. Pretty much everything in my margarita gift basket was relatively big and heavy, though, so I tried to distribute the weight as evenly as possible. 

As a final touch, I used some baby’s breath and yellow solidago asters to fill space without creating additional weight. I swear, no matter what project I’m working on, baby’s breath never fails to add that little extra something!

Classic Margarita Recipe

Every margarita gift basket needs the perfect recipe to match, so include a printed recipe card (like this one) for your all-time favorite margarita! My go-to is a classic combination of tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur, all topped off with a salted rim. Kyle and I recently watched Lynnette Marrero and Ryan Chetiyawardana’s Mixology Masterclass, and I swear their classic margarita is the best there is. Here’s the recipe–

Ingredients

• 2oz tequila (60mL)
• .75oz fresh lime juice (22.5mL)
• 1oz orange liqueur, such as Cointreau (30mL)
• Sea salt, for garnish
• Lime, for garnish

Instructions

To start, prepare a rocks glass with ice and a salted rim. Add the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur to a shaker. Add 4 to 5 ice cubes and shake vigorously. Then, using a cocktail strainer and a fine-mesh strainer, pour the contents into the rocks glass. Finally, garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy!

More Cocktail Gift Basket Ideas

If a margarita gift basket doesn’t fit the season (or recipient), try one of these cocktail-themed ideas instead– 

• Bloody Mary Gift Basket– Perfect for brunch lovers, this basket includes vodka, a spicy mix, and classic garnishes like pickles, olives, and celery. Add flavored salts or spices for extra oomph!
• Mimosa Gift Basket– Pack it with champagne, fresh fruit juices, and stylish flutes. For an added touch, throw in a fruit garnish or a set of personalized drink stirrers!
• Mint Julep Cocktail Kits– Ideal for Derby season, these mini cocktail kits include bourbon, homemade mint simple syrup, and a festive julep cup. While they work perfectly as party favors, you can easily turn one into a full-fledged mint julep gift basket. It’s a great gift for someone who enjoys classic cocktails with a Southern twist.

Any of these cocktail-themed gift baskets are sure to impress and make someone smile! By adding personal touches and selecting ingredients that match their favorite flavors, you can make your cocktail gift basket even more special. Whether you stick with a classic margarita theme or experiment with other cocktails, the key is to have fun and be creative!

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And that’s it—your very own DIY margarita gift basket is ready to impress! Whether you’re gifting it for a special occasion or just because, this customizable cocktail kit is sure to be a hit. If you have any questions about assembling your basket or perfecting the classic margarita recipe, let me know in the comments. As always, I’m happy to help!

Cheers to sweet surprises and delicious margaritas!

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Photography by Catherine Rhodes | Dress from Amazon Fashion