inspiration
6 fun flavoured ice-cube ideas
October 18, 2024Hosting a summer drinks party, or just want to mix up your ice-cube repertoire? Here are 6 ideas for the coolest ice-cube garnishes.
Having a tray of ice cubes in the freezer is always useful, but sometimes it’s worth going the extra mile to make something a bit special. The good news is you don’t need to do much to create beautiful flavoured ice cubes that’ll wow your guests and jazz up your favourite summer drinks. All you need is an ice-cube tray (preferably one with large compartments) and a handful of extra ingredients.
Fruit, herbs and edible flowers can all be frozen – simply top up with filtered water, or water that’s been boiled and cooled, to make sure your ice cubes are nice and clear. Or you can even try freezing coffee for a refreshing pick-me-up! Check out our brilliant ice-cube ideas to mix up your drinks game.
PERFECT ICED COFFEE
Brew 285ml of coffee, either using a cafetiere or your preferred method, and leave to cool to room temperature. Pour into an ice-cube tray and freeze for 4 hours, or until frozen solid. To serve, place 6 coffee ice cubes in a glass and top up with cold milk for the perfect iced coffee. Also delicious teamed with warm milk and caramel sauce to make a caramel iced coffee.
REFRESHING SUMMER MOCKTAILS
These beautiful ice-cube garnishes are a great way to add instant flavour to water. Simply finely slice half an orange and fan out the slices on a board so they’re slightly overlapping. Carefully roll them up, making sure to keep them all together, allowing you to turn and squeeze it into one of the compartments in a large ice-cube tray. Top with a little filtered water and freeze for 4 hours, or until frozen solid. To serve, place an ice cube in a glass and top with still or sparkling water, tonic or soda.
REDCURRANT COOLER
Frozen redcurrants look gorgeous in a big ice cube, and you’ll get lovely little pops of fruit in your drink as the cube melts. Simply fill the compartments of a large ice-cube tray with whole redcurrants. Top with a little filtered water and freeze for 4 hours, or until frozen solid. To serve, place an ice cube in a glass and top with still or sparkling water, tonic or soda.
ICE AND A SLICE
Take a classic drink garnish to the next level with this refreshing lime ice-cube idea! Slice 1 lime to the thickness of a £1 coin, then carefully slice each round slightly off-centre so you have one large half moon and one small half moon. Place 2 of the larger slices into one of the compartments in an ice-cube tray, rind side up, then place the smaller slices between them to create a rose effect. Fill with filtered water and freeze for 4 hours, or until frozen solid. Great for jazzing up still or sparkling water, tonic or soda, serving in a classic G&T, or even teaming with tequila.
COOL AS CUCUMBER MIXER
Use a speed peeler to peel long ribbons of cucumber, then arrange in an ice-cube tray in wavy shapes. Sprinkle over a few pink peppercorns and edible flowers, if you like, fill with filtered water and freeze for 4 hours, or until frozen solid. Great for jazzing up still or sparkling water, tonic or soda, serving in a classic G&T, or even teaming with tequila.
FRUITY FIZZ
Slice 1 orange and 1 lemon to the thickness of a £1 coin, then cut each round into quarters. Arrange the slices in the compartments of an ice-cube tray along with raspberries, blueberries, fresh mint leaves and edible flowers, if you like. Fill with filtered water and freeze for 4 hours, or until frozen solid. Perfect for taking water to the next level, or topping with elderflower cordial and sparkling water for a super-pretty summer drink.
Give your new ice cubes a go in one of our store-cupboard cocktails!
