Bottling is the final step in preparing a flavoured spirit, liqueur or blend. Good bottling practices protect quality, while clear labelling helps you identify what is in every bottle.

For home use, labels are especially useful when you are testing multiple flavours, sweetness levels or alcohol strengths. For licensed commercial producers, labelling requirements can be more detailed and should be checked against current Australian laws and food standards.

Before you bottle

Make sure the blend is ready.

Check that:

• The spirit has rested after dilution or blending
• The flavour is balanced
• The final ABV has been measured or calculated
• The bottle and closure are clean
• Any haze or sediment issue has been addressed
• You have recorded the recipe and batch details

Spirits Calculators

Choosing bottles and closures

Choose bottles designed for spirits or liqueurs. Clear glass works well for products where colour is part of the presentation, while darker glass can help protect light-sensitive products.

Common closure options include:

• Screw caps
• Synthetic corks
• Natural corks
• T-top closures
• Swing-top bottles for suitable lower-proof products

Use a closure that seals reliably and suits how quickly the product will be consumed.

Spirit Bottles, Caps and Closures

Filling bottles

Use a clean funnel or bottling wand and fill bottles consistently.

Avoid splashing where possible. Excess air exposure can affect flavour over time, especially in lower-proof liqueurs or products containing delicate flavourings.

Leave enough headspace for the closure, but do not leave large empty gaps at the top of the bottle.

What should a home-use label include?

For practical home organisation, include:

• Product name
• Batch number or batch name
• Bottling date
• Final ABV
• Bottle size
• Standard drinks per bottle
• Main flavouring or essence used
• Notes on sweetness, blending or resting time

A simple label makes it much easier to compare bottles later.

Standard drinks on a label

In Australia, calculate standard drinks from the bottle volume and ABV.

Standard drinks = Volume in mL × ABV % × 0.789 ÷ 1000

For example, a 700 mL bottle at 40% ABV contains approximately 22 standard drinks.

How Standard Drinks Are Calculated

Storage guidance

Store spirits and liqueurs in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and major temperature changes.

High-proof spirits are generally stable for a long time when sealed properly. Cream liqueurs, egg-based products and other perishable recipes need more careful storage and should follow the ingredient manufacturer’s guidance.

Commercial labelling note

If you are producing for sale, do not rely on a home-use label template. Commercial alcohol products may have requirements relating to ABV declarations, standard drinks, allergen information, lot identification, country-of-origin claims and more.

Check current requirements with the relevant Australian authorities before selling any alcohol product.

Frequently asked questions

Should I label the ABV if I am only making bottles for myself?

It is strongly recommended. It helps you calculate standard drinks and identify each blend correctly.

Can I bottle immediately after dilution?

You can, but resting first usually gives a more integrated and reliable final result.

Why has my bottled spirit become cloudy?

Cloudiness can occur when flavour oils drop out after dilution or cooling. Let the bottle rest, check the water quality and consider filtration if suitable for the product.