Flower Ice Cubes: The Easy DIY That Makes Any Drink Party Ready
Alright people, contrary to what you may think I am not very crafty. I can come up with the idea but to actually make it happen sometimes takes me a minute. I wish there was a class of simple art tasks I could take since the last time I took anything artsy was in 8th grade. Even ask my employees, I am not allowed to cut any paper or write on a chalkboard.
But let's focus on my strengths and that is being able to watch a YouTube video and follow directions!! LOL So a few weeks ago we wanted to do a shoot with our new "Bubbly Bar" decor and I thought it would be fun to put flowers in ice cubes and freeze them!
And amazingly they turned out!! Flower ice cubes (or floral ice cubes, if you're feeling fancy) are now one of my favorite easy party tricks, and here is exactly how I make them.
How to Make Flower Ice Cubes
Get a variety of different colored flowers… we stuck to roses but I would suggest any small flower, just NO baby's breath (those are poisonous). Flowers from a store-bought bouquet aren't meant to be eaten, so use culinary edible flowers or unsprayed flowers you grew yourself. Our list of edible flowers is below!
Boil about 4 quarts of distilled or filtered water. That way your water is clear when it freezes. (Tap water makes cloudy cubes.)
While the water is boiling, trim off the tops of the flowers and start placing them in the trays. My amazing bonus daughter helped me cut a bunch of petals and place them in the trays, and we added the leaves to some also. (Edible glitter would be fun to add too!)
I also allowed some of the roses to stick out so it was like a 3-D ice cube.
Let the water cool.
Use a ladle to pour in just enough water to anchor the flowers, then freeze for a few hours. This keeps them from floating to the top.
Once that first layer is set, ladle in more cold water almost to the top.
Pop them back in the freezer overnight.
Take them out in the morning and use them in a champagne bucket or in an ice bucket.
Best Edible Flowers for Ice Cubes
Pretty and safe to eat is the goal with edible flower ice cubes. A few of our favorites:
Pansies. Bright colors and a flat shape that sits nicely in a tray.
Nasturtiums. Bold orange and red petals with a peppery bite.
Bachelor buttons. Small, colorful and perfect for mini trays.
Rose petals. Our go-to for a romantic look. Rose ice cubes are perfect for a bridal shower, just make sure the petals are food safe.
Daisy petals. Sweet and simple for a garden party vibe.
Lavender. Gorgeous in lemonade or a gin cocktail, but use a little since the flavor is strong.
Violets, chamomile and marigolds. Small and sweet, perfect for mini molds.
Herbs. Mint, basil and rosemary add a pop of green between the flowers.
Always check that a flower is safe to eat and organically grown. Some grocery stores, like Whole Foods, carry edible flowers in the produce section.
Best Molds for Flower Ice Cubes
I used muffin tins (you can put larger flowers in them and they made a circle of ice… sort of cool). I also used silicone trays shaped like hearts as well as mini silicone muffin tins. The silicone ones are easier to pop the ice out of.
How to Store Flower Ice Cubes
Once they're frozen, pop them out and store them in gallon freezer bags so you can make a big batch ahead of your party. They're best used within a month or two.
How to Use Flower Ice Cubes at a Party
EASSSSYYYYY! I put the ice cubes in rosé and it gave the drink a yummy scent. The whole process was simple and it took me maybe 20 minutes to actually make!
A few more ways we love using them:
Champagne buckets. Drop a handful around the bottles and the whole bucket looks styled.
Punch bowls. The big muffin tin cubes are perfect for a crowd.
A Bubbly Bar. This is where it all started for us, and they're the prettiest finishing touch.
Bridal showers and bachelorette welcome drinks. Instant photo moment the second guests walk in.
Iced coffee, sparkling water and lemonade. Not just for cocktails!
Want the whole bar styled for you? Our party planner team can handle the decor, the drink setup and everything in between. Planning a bach? See the bachelorette themes we've styled. We have a full post on them.
Flower Ice Cubes FAQ
How long do flower ice cubes take to freeze?
A few hours for the first layer and overnight for the full cube. Make them the day before your party to be safe.
How do you get clear flower ice cubes?
Boil distilled or filtered water and let it cool before you pour. They'll be clear, not crystal clear, and that's totally fine once they're in a drink.
How do you keep flowers from floating in ice cubes?
Freeze them in layers. Pour in just enough water to hold the flowers in place, freeze, then top off with cold water.
Let me know if you have any suggestions or have done this before… but here are a few more images of the process <3
xoxo
GAT
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