How to Create Ice Cube Garnishes for Cold Drinks

Skip the usual: ice cube garnishes not only improve the aesthetic appeal of a drink, they also enhance the drink's flavor as they melt.

Picture the quintessential cocktail. Chances are you envision a drink with a plastic sword stabbed through juicy fruit slices, or one with a cute little umbrella resting above the rim of a glass. According to author Jaclyn Foley, "you drink with your eyes, and the prettier you can make a drink, the more appealing it is." Adding garnishes to beverages not only enhances the visual appeal of a drink, but also enhances flavor. Drink garnishing doesn't have to be complicated. Create fun, playful ice cube garnishes for a variety of drinks with standard ice cube trays, water, and a few simple ingredients.

Things You'll Need

• Standard ice cube trays
• Cold water
• Liquid food coloring
• 1 fresh lemon
• 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves
• Grenadine
• 5 to 6 Maraschino Cherries
• Kitchen knife

Instructions

Color Stripe Ice Cubes

1. Fill an ice cube tray 1/3 of the way full with water and place in the freezer for at least 2 to 3 hours.

2. Squeeze a few drops of liquid food coloring into 1 cup of cold water.

3. Pour the colored water directly over the first layer of ice in each tray cube, filling the tray to 2/3 full.

4. Place the tray back in the freezer for another 2 to 3 hours.

5. Pour cold water over the second layer of ice, and return to the freezer for another 2 to 3 hours minimum.

6. Serve color stripe ice cubes in clear beverages such as seltzer water, lemon-lime soda, white wine, or colorless spirits such as gin and vodka for a festive touch.

Lemon Wedge Ice Cubes

1. Fill an ice cube tray 1/2 full with water, and place in the freezer for at least 2 to 3 hours.

2. Cut a lemon in half and make 1/4-inch slices. Cut slices into 2/5-inch thick wedges, slicing fruit along the natural segment lines.

3. Place a wedge directly on top of the first layer of ice in each tray cube, gently pressing down so that the moist lemon adheres to the ice.

4. Place the tray back in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, so that the lemon begins to freeze to the ice.

5. Fill the trays completely with cold water, and return to the freezer for another 2 to 3 hours.

6. Serve lemon wedge ice cubes in iced tea, diet cola, water, cranberry juice, or pink martinis for extra zip as ice cubes melt.

Fresh Basil Ice Cubes

1. Finely chop basil.

2. Place approximately 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of chopped basil into the bottom of each section of an ice cube tray.

3. Slowly fill the tray with cold water, taking care not to pour too abruptly or the basil may splash up along the sides or out of the tray.

4. Place the tray in the freezer for at least 2 to 3 hours, or until water freezes.

5. Serve fresh basil ice cubes in tomato juice, water, Bloody Mary cocktails, or vodka or gin martinis for added garnish with a refreshing kick.

Cherry Flavored Ice Cube Gems

1. Coarsely chop maraschino cherries.

2. Place a few pieces of chopped cherries into the bottom of each section of an ice cube tray.

3. Fill the ice cube tray 2/3 full with water.

4. Add a splash of grenadine to each cube, filling the tray completely.

5. Place the tray in the freezer for at least 2 to 3 hours, or until water freezes.

6. Serve cherry flavored ice cubes in cola or lemon-lime flavored soda, fruit punch, orange juice, seltzer water, or fruity cocktails for a flavor refresher as ice cubes melt.

Tips & Warnings

• Start early to allow for adequate freezing time. Longer freezing time between steps creates neater ice cube garnishes.

• Work quickly between steps to prevent melting and mixing of ice layers.

• More drops of coloring will create deeper colors.

• Incorporate school, holiday, or team colors into special occasions and party events with color striped ice cubes.

• Substitute lemon with fresh orange, lime, or grapefruit wedges, or make a combination of fruit wedge cubes for a refreshing citrus twist.

• Experiment with a variety of fresh chopped herbs for different beverages. Oregano and parsley work well with vegetable juices, while mint and rosemary pair well with clear spirits like gin and vodka.

• Make orange flavored ice cubes instead of cherry by replacing the cherries and grenadine with fresh orange zest and orange juice concentrate, thawed.

• Sprinkle a pinch of sweetened powdered drink mix into water-filled trays for quick and easy flavored ice cubes.

• Use food coloring with caution as it can stain fabric and skin.

• Supervise any children helping in the kitchen.

References

• "Girls' Night: Over 1,000 Drinks for Going Out, Staying in and Having Fun!"; Jaclyn Foley; 2006
• "The Book of Garnishes"; June Budgen; 1988
• "Cocktail Times"; Cocktail Garnish

Resources

• "Redbook"; Dress Up Your Drinks; Crystal Martin