Flavored ice makes drinks more beautiful and delicious

There are those who cannot resist a good caipirinha or a glass of champagne, and those who prefer to stick to juices, soft drinks or non-alcoholic drinks… There are still people who confess that, regardless of the occasion, they really like to drink the traditional water. The fact is that, whether at a more intimate dinner with friends, or at a big party, drinks cannot be left out!

If you are the type of person who frequently receives family and friends at home, or if you are simply organizing a celebration that will take place in a few days and have not yet defined the drinks menu, you will love the suggestion: how about betting on flavored ices ?

They can be made with fruits, herbs, spices, essences, always according to your preferences, and serve to add charm and an extra taste to your drinks. They can also be placed in the ice bucket to chill drinks, it’s super chic!

How to make flavored ice?

Making flavored ice cream is very simple and allows for countless possibilities! Here are 7 ideas you can do at home:

1. If you are going to use fruit, just put the chosen fruit, minced in the forminha(s) and fill it with mineral water, coconut water or even a juice and take it to the freezer.
2. To make jellies with fresh herbs, such as mint and lemon balm, just clean the chosen leaves well, chop them, place them in the mold(s) and fill with mineral water, coconut water or juice. and put it in the freezer.
3. For ices with spices such as ginger, just cut a piece of the root, remove its skin and chop it. Then, just put the pieces in the forminha (s) and fill with mineral water and take it to the freezer.
4. To make ice with flowers, to be placed in the ice bucket, choose the flower of your choice, put it in the mold(s) and fill it with water. Then put it in the freezer.
5. To make flavored ices with flowers to put in drinks, buy edible flowers. Place them in the mold(s) and fill with mineral water, coconut water or juice. Then put it in the freezer.
6. To make flavored ices with a specific type of juice, prepare the juice normally (with the fruit or pulp itself), put it in the mold(s) and take it to the freezer.
7. To make coconut water ice, just distribute it in the mold(s) and take it to the freezer.

with fruits

Ellen Koscianski, event specialist at Florianópolis Eventos, gives some ideas for fruits that can be placed in flavored ice:

• Litter
• Cherry
• Raspberry
• Orange
• Kiwi
• Pear
• Grape
• Strawberry
• lemon slices
• pineapple chunks
• Small pieces of watermelon, among other fruits, except the banana.

With leaves and herbs

Below, Ellen cites suggestions for leaves/herbs/spices that can be placed in flavored ice:

• Basil
• Mint
• Lemongrass
• Rosemary (in a small amount, as it is very strong)
• Ginger
• Orange or lemon zest
• Melissa
• Vanilla essence or other essence of your choice.

It is worth noting that these are just a few ideas, as there are many ingredients that can be used!

With flowers

For those who want to make ice with flowers, Ellen advises:

• Use wildflowers and roses for a decorative effect;
• To use in drinks, the large supermarkets and special hortifrutis already sell boxes of edible flowers.

Drinks with flavored ice

Did you like the idea of ​​flavored ices, but want some tips to combine them in the best possible way with the most varied types of drinks?!

“Ice is very important in most alcoholic beverages, so it can be made from lemon to make a caipirinha, or from kiwi for a sake caipirinha. The flavored ices will add a little spice to the drinks, dare and try the passion fruit caipirinha with vanilla ice, a very exotic mixture. The possibilities are endless, just create and taste the drinks”, highlights Ellen.

Check out some suggestions below:

Ices for alcoholic beverages

1. Caipirinha with lemon ice
2. Sake caipirinha with kiwi ice
3. Passion fruit caipirinha with vanilla ice
4. Peach vodka with mango ice
5. Mango vodka with passion fruit ice
6. Berry vodka with strawberry ice
7. Berries vodka with lemon ice
8. Caipirinha (lemon) with mint ice
9. Caipirinha (lemon) with mint ice
10. Cachaça with grape ice
11. Cachaça with passion fruit ice
12. Caipirinha (lemon) with fennel ice
13. Champagne with peach juice ice
14. Champagne with orange juice ice, mint leaves and pieces of ginger
15. Whiskey with Chai Ice (Indian Tea) and Orange Drops
16. Whiskey with peach tea ice
17. Whiskey with red fruit ice (strawberry, blackberry, raspberry)
18. Whiskey with coconut water ice
19. Mojito with kiwi ice

These are just a few ideas, as the possibilities are endless!

Ices for non-alcoholic drinks

Not only alcoholic drinks can be made more beautiful and tasty with flavored ices! You can add them to your water, soda, juice, tea, non-alcoholic cocktail…

“Flavored ice is a decorative idea for drinks, and it can also be very refreshing. Experienced add ice cubes with anise to the water; or in the soda, lemon ice cubes… it will make it even tastier. To innovate, try pineapple juice with apple jellies”, says Ellen.

Check out these and other ideas below:

1. Anise ice water
2. Coke with lemon ice
3. Guarana with orange ice
4. Sprite or Soda with mint ice
5. Pineapple Juice with Apple Ice
6. Watermelon Juice with Mint Ice
7. Pineapple juice with mint ice
8. Grape juice (whole) with mint ice
9. Sprite or Soda with Orange Ice
10. Iced green tea with orange zest ice
11. Iced green tea with lemon zest ice
12. Iced Hibiscus Tea with Pineapple Ice
13. Iced Hibiscus Tea with Strawberry Ice
14. Beetroot Juice with Orange Ice
15. Watermelon Juice with Lemon Ice
16. Orange Juice with Ginger Ice
17. Orange Juice with Basil Ice
18. Water with Sicilian lemon, mint and fennel ice
19. Strawberry ice water
20. Cherry ice water
21. Water with citrus fruit ices (orange, pineapple, kiwi, tangerine)
22. Water flavored with cucumber and mint ice
23. Water flavored with Indian cloves and with red fruit ices (blueberry, strawberry and raspberry) and mint ice
24. Watermelon Juice with Coconut Water Ices

The secret is always to use creativity because it is possible to create delicious drinks using flavored ices!

8 ideas for using the ice tray

To make flavored ices, you will certainly need to have at least one ice tray at home. But know that, despite the popular name, this type of tray, in addition to making pebbles that cool your favorite drinks, also has other uses!

Discover other amazing ways to use your tray:

1. Iced coffee

Make your coffee normally (with or without sugar, according to your custom), let it cool and then distribute the liquid in the ice tray, then put it in the freezer. After a few hours (when it’s already frozen) you can put one or two squares in your glass of milk, it looks amazing!

2. Herbal oil

Chop your favorite herbs, such as sage, parsley, rosemary, oregano, place them in an ice tray and fill each mold with olive oil, then freeze.

3. Chocolate with strawberry

A delicious sweet aperitif tip! Melt the chocolate, distribute half of it in each mold on the tray. Place a strawberry (or half a strawberry, depending on the size) inside each mold and cover again with chocolate. Then put it in the freezer and wait about an hour until it freezes.

4. Tomato sauce

What to do with leftover tomato sauce packaging (can, box or sachet) after making pasta?

A good tip is to freeze! To do this, put the sauce in the ice tray and put it in the freezer.

5. Fruit mini popsicle

Place pieces of banana and strawberry in each pan on the tray. Top up with whole apple juice and place a small toothpick in the middle. Place in the freezer and wait about an hour until frozen.

6. Wine

This is a good tip for hot days. Just put the wine in the ice tray and put it in the freezer. After freezing, just serve with your own drink.

7. Watermelon Cubes

Remove the seeds from the watermelon, fill each tray with the fruit and place in the freezer. Then, a good tip is to put one or two molds inside the lemonade, it is super refreshing.

8. Cabbage ice

In order not to spoil the bunch of cabbages you bought (and didn’t use whole), a valuable tip is to turn cabbage leaves into ice.

To do this, place the leaves in a blender with a minimum amount of water (just to be able to blend). Transfer contents to the ice tray. Then, just use the cabbage ice cubes to make your green juice.

Did you like the tips? In addition to making delicious and beautiful drinks with flavored ice, you can use your ice tray to make many other delicious things in your house!