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Add a merry touch to your drinks with fancy ice cubes filled with cranberries and herbs. These Christmas drink ice cubes are an easy way to elevate your Christmas brunch, Xmas dinner, or holiday cocktails. Ideal for Christmas entertaining, they turn ordinary beverages into festive sips at any Christmas dinner party. Use them in sparkling water, punch, or prosecco to impress your guests with minimal effort.
I first made these during a relaxed Christmas at home and have since been asked to include them every year by friends and family. They add a charming seasonal touch without any stress
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries: Whole cranberries provide natural tartness and a beautiful pop of red color. Select firm berries that are bright and free of blemishes
- Fresh rosemary sprigs: Add an aromatic herbal note and vibrant green contrast. Choose unwilted fresh sprigs to maximize fragrance
- Filtered water: Ensures purity and clarity in the cubes yielding cleaner ice
- Large silicone ice cube trays: Large compartments help keep cranberries and rosemary suspended attractively. Opt for high quality flexible silicone for easy removal and neat shapes
Instructions
- PREPARE THE INGREDIENTS:
- Rinse the cranberries and rosemary under cold water with care to remove impurities. Pat them completely dry using a clean towel. The dryness is essential to prevent cracks or cloudiness in the ice cubes
- FILL THE TRAYS HALFWAY:
- Gently pour filtered water into each compartment of the silicone tray until it is about half full. Then place 1 or 2 cranberries and a small rosemary sprig in the water. Adjust their placement to keep the decorations centered in each section. This step will anchor the garnishes in the middle of the cubes
- FREEZE THE FIRST LAYER:
- Place the trays on a flat surface in your freezer. Allow them to freeze solid. This first freezing step helps the cranberries and herbs stay suspended in the ice so they won’t float to the surface
- TOP OFF WITH WATER:
- Once the first layer is firm, carefully add more filtered water to fill the compartments completely. Filling slowly helps avoid disturbing the arrangement you created in the first layer
- FREEZE COMPLETELY:
- Return the ice cube trays to the freezer. Leave them to freeze for at least four to six hours. Overnight freezing provides the best clarity and solid form
- STORAGE:
- After fully frozen remove all cubes from the trays. Transfer them into a freezer safe bag or airtight container. Storing them properly keeps them clear and ready for use anytime during your holiday season
Using fresh cranberries amazed me because their tartness brightens any drink. My family smiled the first time I served sparkling water with these festive cubes at our Christmas brunch. It quickly became a tradition to include them at every holiday meal
Storage Tips
To maintain the best appearance keep cubes stored in a single layer in an airtight container. Avoid freezer burn which can dull the look. If you plan to use cubes at different times portion them out in resealable bags. Keep them in the coldest part of the freezer to retain clarity and texture
Ingredient Substitutions
You may swap cranberries for pomegranate seeds which also provide appealing color and a burst of sweetness. Rosemary can be replaced with fresh thyme or even mint for a different herbal nuance. If fresh herbs are unavailable frozen varieties can work but dry them very well before freezing to avoid cloudiness in the ice
Serving Suggestions
Serve these festive ice cubes in sparkling water to guests at your holiday brunch or add them to a sparkling rosé for elegant Christmas cocktails. They add visual interest to punches and even simple sodas offering a fancy touch with very little effort. Try garnishing the glass rim with a sprig of rosemary or a few extra cranberries to tie the presentation together
These festive ice cubes bring instant holiday charm to any beverage. They are an easy, low effort way to elevate your holiday gatherings.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Comment éviter que les glaçons deviennent troubles ?
Utilisez de l'eau filtrée et congelez les glaçons en deux étapes pour que les décorations restent bien visibles au centre.
- → Quels ingrédients utiliser pour un goût subtil ?
Les canneberges fraîches et les brins de romarin apportent une saveur délicate et un look festif.
- → Combien de temps faut-il pour congeler entièrement les glaçons ?
Prévoyez environ 8 heures, en incluant le temps de congélation intermédiaire pour la première couche.
- → Peut-on préparer ces glaçons à l'avance ?
Oui, conservez-les dans un sac hermétique au congélateur jusqu’à leur utilisation.
- → Dans quelles boissons utiliser ces glaçons ?
Ils agrémentent parfaitement les eaux pétillantes, punchs et cocktails légers pour les fêtes.