DIY Etched Bourbon Glasses | Budget-Friendly Party Favor

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When my husband turned 40 this year, I knew I had to go big. We planned a Bourbon & BBQ party, and one of my favorite DIY details was making DIY etched bourbon glasses as the perfect party favor. One of the main focal points of the night was our self-serve bourbon bar, complete with a wide variety of bottles our guests brought and all the add-ins to create a great cocktail.

And let’s be honest: if you’re sipping good bourbon, a plastic cup just doesn’t cut it. Since this was mainly an adult party, I decided glassware was the way to go. Not only would real glasses elevate the drinks, but they could also double as keepsakes for everyone to take home.

As I was browsing inspiration for the bourbon bar setup, I noticed pictures of custom glasses and thought, what a special touch! I knew I could pull it off on a budget, so I started hunting for glassware deals at HomeGoods, Marshalls, and the dollar store. For the wine and sangria station, I scored stemless wine glasses from the dollar store. For the bourbon rocks glasses, I lucked out at HomeGoods and Marshalls — thick-bottom glasses sold in sets of four for about $6. After a couple of trips to different stores, I had exactly what I needed.

👉 You can check out the full party details in my Bourbon & BBQ 40th Birthday Party recap — these glasses ended up being one of the biggest hits of the night!

Supplies You’ll Need for DIY Etched Bourbon Glasses

Here’s everything you’ll want to make your own custom etched glasses:

• Rocks glasses or stemless wine glasses – I used a mix of both. You can often find deals at HomeGoods or Marshalls, but if you’d rather shop online, this affordable set of rocks glasses on Amazon is a great option.
• Etching cream – I ordered this etching cream from Amazon, but you can usually find it at Hobby Lobby too.
• Removable vinyl or stencil vinyl – I used leftover removable vinyl I already had. A roll goes a long way, so you’ll have plenty for other projects.
• Transfer tape – A must for moving your design from the Cricut mat onto the glass. I like this clear transfer tape because it’s easy to see where you’re lining things up.
• Paintbrush or popsicle stick – A small craft brush set works perfectly for applying the cream.
• Cricut (or any cutting machine) – If you love doing DIY projects, investing in a cutting machine is worth it. I use a Cricut Explore Air, but the Cricut Joy is another great starter option.

Pro tip: if you don’t already own a Cricut but plan on making crafts like this often, it’s one of those tools that will completely change your projects. I use mine constantly — from party favors to signage to holiday décor.

How to Design Your Cricut Stencil for Etched Glasses

This was the fun part! I wanted the DIY etched bourbon glasses to feel personal, so I came up with four custom designs that tied into our bourbon theme. I played around in Cricut Design Space, adjusting the shapes and sizes until they worked for both the rocks glasses and stemless wine glasses.

Pro tip: the stencil shape may need slight tweaking depending on the curve of your glass. For the wine glasses, I gave the stencil a little extra curve at the bottom so it wrapped smoothly.

@enchantedcraftingmama

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DIY Etched Glasses: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prep the Glasses
Wash all your glassware in warm, soapy water and dry completely. Wipe them down with rubbing alcohol right before applying stencils to make sure they’re totally clean.

Step 2: Apply the Stencil
Place your glass on its side, anchored with a rolled-up kitchen towel. Apply your vinyl stencil with transfer tape, pressing firmly from the center outward to remove bubbles. Smooth edges = crisp design.

Step 3: Apply Etching Cream
Using a brush, cover the stencil area with a thick, even coat of etching cream. Work in a ventilated area and wear gloves if you’d like extra protection. Set a timer for 3 minutes — don’t overdo it, because leaving it longer can cause the cream to seep under your stencil.

Step 4: Rinse & Reveal
Rinse the glass under cool running water until the cream is fully gone. While still under the water, peel the stencil away to reveal your design.

💡 Time saver: I lined up five glasses at once. Once the cream was applied down the row, it was almost perfectly timed to rinse the first one. Assembly-line style made the project go faster and smoother.

Etched Bourbon Glasses: The Final Look

The finished glasses came out exactly how I imagined them. Guests loved sipping bourbon (and sangria!) out of personalized glassware, and several told me they couldn’t wait to use theirs at home. My husband was blown away by the detail — and knowing the effort that went into them made him appreciate them even more. Honestly, his smile made every bit of trial and error worth it.

Tips & Troubleshooting for Etched Glass Projects

I’ll be honest — my first glass didn’t come out perfect. But that’s the beauty of DIY: you learn as you go! Here’s what helped me:

• Stick to bold designs for cleaner results.
• Press down stencil edges firmly to prevent leaks.
• Follow the timing on your etching cream (3–5 minutes worked best for me).
• Rinse thoroughly before peeling away the stencil.
• Work in batches if you’re making a lot.

And remember, even if one doesn’t turn out perfect, your guests won’t notice — they’ll just love the personal touch.

Why DIY Etched Bourbon Glasses Make the Best Party Favor

When my husband turned 40 this year, I knew I had to go big for his celebration. The theme that felt right — and perfectly suited his style — was a Bourbon & BBQ party. One of the standout details of the night was the bourbon bar, stocked with bottles our guests brought and all the fixings for custom cocktails. To make it even more special, I created DIY etched bourbon glasses that doubled as both drinkware and party favors.

If you’re hosting a celebration (whether bourbon-themed or not), I can’t recommend this DIY enough. It’s budget-friendly, customizable, and adds such a thoughtful touch.

👉 Ready to try it yourself? Shop my Amazon Party Planning Essentials for the supplies I used.
👉 Curious how these glasses fit into the bigger picture? Don’t miss the full recap of our Bourbon & BBQ 40th Birthday Party.

What would you etch on your own party glasses? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear your ideas, and I might even feature them in my next newsletter!