​All the Reasons to Love Swing Top Bottles

They may have a vintage vibe, but swing top glass bottles are always in fashion, and it's easy to see why! These fun and cute-looking bottles tick all the boxes for stylish picnics, garden parties, kitchen projects and general use around the house. Let's take a closer look...

Why we love a love swing top bottle

It may look simple, but a tall glass swing top bottle is hugely functional. Thanks to its Quillfeldt stopper, named for the inventor, these bottles have their own stopper, usually made from plastic or porcelain and fitted with a rubber seal. The top is then secured into place with wires, and the stopper can be used repeatedly without needing a bottle opener. The contents stay fresh and free from oxygen thanks to the latch clamp closure, so swing top bottles were traditionally used to seal mineral water, beer and other carbonated or fermented drinks before crown corks came into fashion.

These traditional bottles allow you to make delicious drinks and homebrews without complex equipment or preservatives. Being glass, they are highly recyclable, they look wonderful and what's more, they are extremely cost-effective. Here are some great examples which are always particularly popular from our extensive range of glass bottles: https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/bottles/swing-top-glass-bottles/.

Making springtime drinks with swing top bottles

Why not get creative in the kitchen and whizz up a batch of this delicious rhubarb gin for a seasonal drink that's perfect for a mid-afternoon refresher on a hot Bank Holiday weekend, or for evening entertainment? It couldn't be easier as you simply need a kilogram of pink rhubarb stalks from the garden or allotment, 400g of clear caster sugar and 800 ml of gin.

Wash your rhubarb, trim any tough bits and discard the leaves and base. Cut the stalks into chunks and place them in a large Mason glass jar with the sugar. Shake everything, add a lid and leave it overnight so that the sugar extracts the juice from the rhubarb. After 24 hours, pour in the gin, seal the bottle and shake it again. Leave it for around four weeks before you drink it, and then strain the liquor using a muslin or sieve. Transfer the delicious contents into your swing top bottle - these are ideal: https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/bottles/glass-bottles-with-corks/drink-and-liqueurs/.

The drink will have a beautiful soft pink colour, and it will taste delicious with a little ginger cake to complement the rhubarb. Don't expect it to last long!

Find the full recipe here: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/rhubarb-gin

Other uses for swing top bottles

- Why not get into the habit of storing water in the fridge so that it's always chilled and ready to accompany your next meal? The swing top bottle style is perfect for table presentation too, which is why you'll often see it used in restaurants.

- Have a go at making your own cordials with summer fruits, elderflower or citrus. There are some great recipes here and they only need basic ingredients: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-cordial.

- Another great use is to fill the bottles with different coloured kitchen oils. If you are using transparent glass models, why not make your own steeped oils, using herbs, lemon, chilli, garlic and other ingredients to make a kitchen condiment display that looks as good as it tastes?

- Swing top bottles are perfect for picnics and you can fill them with homemade lemonade for a refreshing treat.

- In the home, you can also use them to decant bath bubbles and oils for a pretty display. If you're feeling crafty, try using Decoupage to personalise your bottles. These make lovely gifts too; you can fill them with strings of tiny battery-operated lights to make simple decorations or nightlights.

- If you've never tried your hand at home brewing or making kombucha, why not try something new this weekend? You can buy simple kits for home brews and ready-to-go SCOBY's for kombucha. Alternatively, order some kefir grains and experiment with healthy, gut-friendly fermented drinks that will sit happily in these bottles.

A top tip for cleaning

You can dishwash these bottles to sterilise them and make them ready for their next use, whether you're home-brewing or storing cordials. You don't need to remove the cork system either if you want to wash that too, and the heat will not damage the rubber elements. Just remember to clean the bottles first in the sink to remove any particles or sediment, so that the dishwasher provides a sanitation clean.

Find out more

Wares of Knutsford sells plenty of beautiful and practical glass bottles and jars for all needs. We are constantly updating our ranges and we offer great products, low prices, fast delivery and excellent customer service. If you're sharing photos of your crafts and creations on social media, why not tag us in, and we'll include your projects and successes in our community! Sign up to our newsletter too for the latest news, products, competitions and offers so that you never miss out on everything that is happening at Wares!