For my upcycle project, I want to transform discarded liquor bottles into a set of unique, vintage-inspired cups and pitchers. Rather than stripping away the original branding, I’m embracing the logos, embossed glass, and worn labels as part of the design. This approach aligns with the Industrial Vintage aesthetic—an aesthetic that highlights raw materials, historical charm, and a touch of rugged craftsmanship. The result will be drinkware that carries both function and history, turning everyday glass bottles into eye-catching conversation pieces.
Why Industrial Vintage?
Industrial Vintage is all about repurposing aged materials while maintaining their original character. Many liquor bottles already have intricate embossed lettering, textured surfaces, and logos that add to their visual appeal. Instead of trying to erase these elements, I want to make them a defining feature of my upcycling project. This style celebrates imperfections, blending nostalgia with a sense of craftsmanship. The final pieces will have a slightly worn, handcrafted feel—like something you’d find in a speakeasy or a rustic distillery tasting room.
Project Plan
1. Selecting the Bottles
The first step is choosing the right bottles. I’m looking for whiskey, tequila, gin, and other liquor bottles with distinctive branding—embossed lettering, raised logos, and unique glass colors.
Misc. – Colorful Bottles of Liquor – 0738
2. Cutting & Smoothing the Glass
Once I’ve gathered a selection of bottles, I’ll carefully cut them down to size, transforming them into drinkable cups or larger pitchers. The most important part of this process is ensuring smooth, polished edges. I’ll sand the rims extensively to create a comfortable and safe drinking surface, preserving as much of the original bottle shape and branding as possible.
Sapphire Blue Liquor Bottle Cups
3. Final Touches
To tie the aesthetic together, I’m considering displaying the finished drinkware on a reclaimed wood tray or pairing them with vintage-style coasters. This will complete the rustic yet polished feel, reinforcing the Industrial Vintage theme.
Bringing New Life to Old Bottles
At its core, this project is about sustainability and storytelling. Each bottle holds a history—whether it was once the centerpiece of a celebration or sat collecting dust in a cabinet. By repurposing them into functional drinkware, I’m giving these bottles a second life while preserving the craftsmanship that went into their original design.
The final product will be bold, functional, and full of character, showing that upcycling doesn’t have to mean erasing the past—it can be about finding a new way to purpose your trash.
3 Comments. Leave new
This is a super fun project! I actually had an idea reading this for the top of the bottle that you are cutting off. I’m not sure what you were planning on doing with the top after you separate it from the bottom of the bottle, but you could maybe turn that part into a glass as well! Sort of like a wine glass, where you flip it upside down to give it that shape. I guess you would also need something for the bottom of it to stand on. It’s just an idea that this post gave me. I also have the same question as the other two, how do you plan on getting a nice clean cut? Super excited to see how this turns out! Good luck.
Hi Thomas, this is a really cool concept and a great way to repurpose bottles that would normally go to waste. I like the finishing look of the example images you used, and I think this project will come out with some great results! Do you know how to get clean cuts and finishes on glass? I imagine this is a delicate process, and I’ll be interested to see how you do it. Best of luck on this!
This sounds like a great project! How do you plan on cutting the bottles and making them the shape you want?