Why should you take the time to make DIY mason jar cups?
Allow me to present my case:
1) They are easy to throw together
2) They are cheap (price breakdown below)
3) Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is cooler in a mason jar. Am I right?
Of course, you could always buy the pre-made lid/straw thingies, but it’s just as easy (and cheap) to make them yourself. Here’s the price breakdown:
(this post contains affiliate links)
On Amazon, these pre-made lids and straws sell for $6.21 for a pack of two, plus shipping. Not a bad price, but let’s break down the cost of a DIY mason jar cup with straw:
- One mason jar lid + ring: $0.45 IF you buy them new, but I recommend repurposing a used ones
- One rubber grommet: $0.52 at Lowes
- One paper straw (the paper ones are cute, but you could also use a reusable glass or stainless steel straw, or just a regular plastic one): $0.15
TOTAL: $1.12 (but probably cheaper because I’m betting you already have lids/rings)
See what I mean? Easy peasy.
And when you fill them with fizzy kombucha or homemade honey lemonade, you’ll officially be a DIY homesteading rockstar.
DIY Mason Jar Cups with Straw
Makes one DIY mason jar cup with straw
- Pint-sized canning jar (like these)
- Canning jar lid (Like these)
- Canning jar ring
- Rubber grommet (I got mine at Lowes)
- Straw (paper, glass, plastic, or stainless steel straws will all work)
- 3/8″ to 1/2″ drill bit, depending on the size of your straw
The size of the rubber grommet you need will depend on the size of your straw. I have some fat glass straws, and I wanted to be sure my lids would work for them, as well as my cute paper straws. Therefore, I used a grommet with an inner diameter of 3/8″ and an outer diameter of 5/8″. We also used a 1/2″ drill bit.
However, this will vary, depending on your straw, so play around a bit.
Drill an offset hole in the canning lid.
There were some raised/jagged edges, so we pounded them down a bit. You could also file them if you wanted. However, don’t be too worried about this, because the grommet will cover a multitude of sins.
Insert the grommet, wash the entire lid assembly thoroughly, and affix to your jar.
Now fill ‘er up and sip away!
Project Notes:
- Definitely use old canning jar lids for this (you know, the ones where the seal isn’t good for actual canning anymore)
- You could make DIY mason jar cups with quart-sized jars as well, as long as your straw is long enough.
- These are perfect for older kids who still benefit from a spill-resistant cup, but aren’t as apt to break glass. My 5-year old thought they were the coolest thing ever.
DIY Mason Jar Cup with Straw
- Yield: 1 mason jar cup 1x
- Category: DIY
Ingredients
- Pint-sized canning jar (like this)
- Canning jar lid (like this)
- Canning jar ring
- Rubber grommet (I got mine at Lowes)
- Straw
- 3/8” to 1/2″ drill bit, depending on the size of your straw
Instructions
- The size of the rubber grommet you need will depend on the size of your straw. I have some fat glass straws from Strawesome, and I wanted to be sure my lids would work for them, as well as my cute paper straws. Therefore, I used a grommet with an inner diameter of 3/8″, and a 1/2″ drill bit.
- However, this will vary, depending on your straw, so play around a bit.
- Drill an offset hole in the canning lid.
- There were some raised/jagged edges, so we pounded them down a bit. You could also file them if you wanted. However, don’t be too worried about this, because the grommet will cover a multitude of sins.
- Insert the grommet, wash the entire lid assembly thoroughly, and affix to your jar.
- Now fill ‘er up and sip away!
I LOVE these! My kids and I use them daily. My youngest daughter is 1 1/2 and she prefers these, makes her feel like a big girl. 🙂
Love! We just usually just pound a hole in a lid and leave it at that, so I appreciate the tip about the grommet!
Yep! The grommet makes it much nicer. 🙂
Also older kids, teens, & adults appreciate these when drinking a sweetened cold drink outside– to keep the bees out of your drink! Thanks for the DIY details.
Totally!
I can’t wait to make some of these. My doctor told me to drink at least 3-4 pints of water every day. I got 6 of the colored (green) jars. I looked for the lids, but everytime I go to where they have them, they’re out. I make up my infused water every night. (I put cucumber slices, or lemons and limes in my water). I let these sit in the fridge over night to get good and cold. Water or anything else just tastes better out of a mason jar. I have a variety of brands. Some even came with jelly in them and have a handle. I use my canning jars for a variety of different things.
Your infused water sounds yummy– and yes, these cups will definitely make drinking water more fun. 🙂
I always save the metal one-piece lids that come on salsa jars or plastic peanut butter ones. They seem to be more water tight and look nice too. These would be even better for the straw lid IMO! Can’t beat free lids.
Good idea Susan!
I know this is old, but it’s new to me!
There are also plastic mason jar lids available that you can easily drill holes in. My metal lids always seem to rust, so this would be a great rust-free option!
Love your blog.
Enjoy Robin! 🙂
They have super cute multi colored grommets at ebay less than two dollars.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/162163172679?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
Can these jars with holes be used for canning?
No– if you poke holes in the lids you can’t use them for canning.
The grommets are 10 cents each in groups of 25 on etsy!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/470619282/25-rubber-mason-jar-straw-seals
Good post guys!