How to Make an Ice Slide
An ice slide or ice luge is an easy-to-make addition to any party that will add a degree of style and fun. Ice slides are simply blocks of ice, with a rut or two carved out, so that shots can be poured into the ice slide and wind up ice cold in the shot glass held at the bottom.
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Things You'll Need
- Block of ice
- Chisel or carving tool
- Towels
- Box or support
- Brick or paperweight
- Shot glass
Instructions
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Preparing the Slide
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Get a block of ice, as large as you can find. An ice distributor that specializes in making ice can provide blocks in various sizes. Check your Yellow Pages under "Ice." Many grocery stores also sell block ice in freezers next to regular bagged ice.
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Make your own if you cannot find block ice or would prefer to save money. Get a long, deep plastic container, such as a wide, rectangular flower planter with no holes in the bottom. Fill with water. Bottled spring water will provide the clearest, cleanest ice slide. Put it in the freezer and allow it to freeze. Do this several days in advance. Depending upon the size of your container, it could take a while to freeze fully.
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Use a small chisel or other sharp carving utensil to carve a rut into the ice. Gently run the sharp edge down the top of the ice block repeatedly to deepen the rut. Consider making it twist down in an S shape for a longer, colder slide. The rut can be about 1/2 inch deep. Do not smack the chisel into the ice, as this may cause the entire block to fracture, ruining your ice slide.
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Pour a shot or two of warm water down the rut to further structure it and smooth it out.
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Keep the ice slide refrigerated until you intend to use it.
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To set up, angle ice slide at 45 degrees or so and place a box or other support underneath to hold up. Be sure to have something heavy, like a brick or paper weight, holding the front so it does not slide off the table.
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Place a towel underneath the ice slide itself and on the floor under the end of the slide (where people will be drinking from it) to catch any melting water or spilled liquor.
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Use your favorite liquor. A flavored Vodka or Schnapps would work well. One person will need to drink and one will need to pour, for every turn.
At the Party
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To set up, angle the ice slide at 45 degrees or so and place a box or other support underneath it to hold it up. Use something heavy, such as a brick or paperweight, to hold the front so it does not slide off the table.
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Place a towel underneath the ice slide and on the floor under the bottom of the slide (where people will be drinking from it) to catch any melting water or spilled liquor.
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Use your favorite liquor. A flavored vodka or schnapps would work well. One person will need to drink and one will pour for every turn.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider placing a colored light underneath the ice slide for extra visual effect.
For a more complex, artistic ice slide, hire an ice-carving company to make a sculpture that incorporates a slide or luge.
Some party and novelty stores sell ice luge kits.
If temperatures are below freezing, freeze your ice outside. This will allow for even larger blocks of ice than will fit in a freezer.
Do not allow your guests to drink heavily and drive home.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit ice storm damage image by BJ Clark from Fotolia.com
