I’ve seen these DIY upcycled Clase Azul lamps floating around the internet for years. They always looked so beautiful, but as someone who rarely drinks (and definitely not tequila!), I never imagined I’d end up making one myself.

I’ve always admired Clase Azul bottles, each one is hand-painted by artisans in Mexico, making the bottle a work of art on its own. Honestly, I knew about the brand long before I knew about tequila… solely because of how gorgeous the bottle is.

So when my brother-in-law finished his bottle, I immediately asked if I could have it. Luckily, he’s one of my biggest fans when it comes to upcycling projects and handed it over without hesitation. Huge thanks to him, because this project wouldn’t have happened without that generous donation! If you don’t have a family member with an empty bottle lying around, check Facebook Marketplace. During my search, I found several priced between $10–$30 in my area.

For this lamp, I wanted to put my own spin on the project by using a rechargeable bulb. This means no drilling, no wires, and no risk of damaging the bottle. The entire design uses every part of the bottle, including the cork and the metal topper. I’m sharing exactly what I did below, but feel free to customize it to your style.

• Empty Clase Azul bottle

• 3/8” threaded rod (1 ft)

• Lamp socket with screw ring

• Lampshade (Slip UNO style)

• Rechargeable bulb

Rinse out the bottle thoroughly and let it air-dry for a few days. Because the opening is small, it takes longer than you’d expect for moisture to evaporate. Some bottles have removable stickers on the back, if yours has one then be sure to peel it off. Mine had the design imprinted directly onto the bottle.

Attach the lamp socket to the threaded rod. You may not need the full 1-foot rod, but I found it adds stability inside the bottle. (I actually repurposed pieces from a broken lamp!)

Separate the cork from the metal topper. It may take a bit of wiggling, but it will come loose.

Use a small tool to make a hole in the bottom of the cork. Insert the threaded rod so it sits firmly inside the cork. Slide the cork up to the base of the lamp socket so everything fits snugly together.

Carefully lower the threaded rod into the bottle and press the cork securely into the opening. This step is important because the cork helps support the weight of both the shade and the bulb.

I thrifted my shade, a Slip UNO style that fits perfectly into the socket’s screw ring. Mine happened to be from Pottery Barn Outlet, and the blue detailing even matches the bottle’s painted design. If you choose a different shade style, you may need to add a lamp harp.

Screw in your rechargeable bulb and turn it on, your lamp is ready!

One of my favorite things about this project is that the lamp is completely off grid. Bring it out for an evening dinner in the garden, take it camping, or move it from room to room without needing a cord. My rechargeable bulb has multiple color temperatures, a timer, and even a remote.

Here’s a fun tip: flip the Clase Azul metal topper upside-down, and it becomes the perfect little dish to hold the remote or snacks!

I hope you enjoyed this upcycled project! If you try this tutorial, please share your results, I’d love to see your take on it. Until next time, happy upcycling!