Fancy Ice Cubes

Add an unexpected touch of pizzazz to any drink. These fancy ice cubes will transform your drinks and cocktails for the holidays.

Elevate your beverage game with our fancy ice cubes. These lovely ice cubes not only chill your drinks but add an element of luxury and added flavor, transforming a regular drink into something special.

Add-Ins and Ingredients

Making fancy ice cubes is easy and adaptable. Not only do they add flavor but that add a punch of color and elegance to any drink or cocktail.

Start with the Liquid for the Ice Cubes

Ice cubes don’t need to be just water. While water is a great vessel, add additional flavor by using some of these:

• Water – plain, coconut, flavored
• Juices – orange, grapefruit, grape, lemon, lime, peach, cranberry, pomegranate, pineapple, apple
• Lemonade or other flavored drinks
• Coffee
• Coffee with milk
• Tomato juice

Fruits

Adding fruit to ice cubes brings that pop of color and flavor. Think, mimosas, bloody marys, fruit juices, water, and cocktails.

• Strawberries – fresh or frozen
• Grapefruit slices – Ruby red grapefruit is a beautiful color
• Peaches – fresh or frozen
• Cucumber slices – use English (seedless) cucumbers
• Lime wedges or slices
• Orange wedges or slices
• Blueberries – fresh or frozen
• Raspberries – fresh or frozen
• Cranberries – fresh or frozen

Fresh Herbs and Other Add-Ins

Herbs and other add-ins give drinks that special pop. Get creative and try some of these added the the fruit and liquid.

• Rosemary, mint, sage, thyme, cilantro
• Jalapeno pepper or other pepper slices for spicey drinks
• Edible flowers

Favorite Combinations

Here are a few of our favorite combinations. Be creative and have fun.

• Cranberries, rosemary, orange slices
• Strawberries and basil
• Strawberries and mint
• Raspberries and strawberries
• Oranges and blueberries
• Watermelon and mint
• Pomegranate and mint
• Tomato juice, jalapeno slices

How to Make Clear Ice When Using Water.

The most economical way is to use filtered or tap water and boil it. It may sound strange to boil water for ice, but it works! Boiled water removes impurities and any small bubbles that form when freezing.

Note: There is no need to boil liquids other than water.

• First, you boil the water. Some critics call for using distilled or “pure” water, but I find using tap water is just fine. If you are totally against the tap water in your area, feel free to use bottled or distilled.
• Once the water boils, remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
• When it’s room temperature, boil it again. And again let it cool to room temperature.
• That’s it! Now you can build your ice trays.

Let’s Make Fancy Ice

Holiday Ice

1. Add a layer of fresh cranberries
2. Top with orange slices
3. Add fresh rosemary
4. Add a few more cranberries
5. Add water
6. Freeze overnight

Making Layered Ice Cubes

Layered ice cubes are fun and add double the flavor. Another one of my favorite fancy ice tricks is to use fruit juice and freeze it in layers. I especially like to make these smaller and use them for mimosas. Check out my Fruit Layered Ice Cubes.

Storing Fancy Ice Cubes

The beauty of making fancy ice is that you can make a large batch of different types and flavors, and save them in zip-top bags in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.

Don’t get caught without these this holiday season. Make a batch today!