How To: Make a Decorative Ice Ring

Learn how to make a decorative ice ring. Up your entertaining game and keep your large batch cocktails cool at your next party!

Usually I stick to serving beer, wine, and very simple mixed drinks (think a classic G&T) at my parties, but cocktails are fun, too. So, this year at Friendsgiving, I decided to make a large batch cocktail. I used Ina Garten’s autumn sangria recipe (which can be found in my previous post on fall dinner party ideas). Large batch cocktails are the perfect compromise between just serving wine/beer and slaving away making individual cocktails all evening. You need to keep them cool, though. Enter the decorative ice ring. It keeps the cocktail cold and is super pretty. This is a win-win to me. As someone who has chosen fashion over function many times in her life, it’s a treat when you get both.

To make your own ice ring, just follow these easy steps:

1. Clear space and chose your mold: A day or two beforehand clear some space in your freezer and choose the type of shape you would like to use. Baking pans work great. I chose a circular baking pan (use my affiliate link to get your own) because I thought it would fit nicely into my large round punch bowl. I think a bundt pan or even small loaf pans could work great as well.
2. Chose and arrange the fruit and herbs: My suggestion would be to use fruits and herbs that are the base flavors from your cocktail. For example, the autumn sangria featured apples heavily and also called for oranges to be chopped for part of the fruit mixture that goes into sangria. I chose to arrange granny smith, macoun apples, and blood orange slices. Arrange the fruit in a pretty pattern; this doesn’t have to be perfect.
3. Add water: Gently pour water around the fruit. Turn your sink on low or pour from a water bottle. If the water comes gushing out, this will ruin your fruit arrangement.
4. Freeze: For at least 24 hours. If you have a very thick ice ring, allow for more time.
5. Remove from mold: Shortly prior to your event, remove the ice ring from the mold. It will be difficult to remove so add a little hot water to loosen the ice. After that’s done, simply place in the punch bowl and your done!

To me, this is a simple easy thing that is sure to impress your guests. Have you ever made one before?