Do This: Make Cookie Cutter Ice Cubes!

Sometimes I’ll have an idea in my head for something I want to try, and that idea will just never leave. It was last Christmas that I wondered to myself, “Can one make ice cubes in cookie cutters??” The previous holiday season got busy fast, so I never got around to testing that hypothesis out. This go round, as I dusted off my holiday cookie cutters, I decided it was time. I tested my theory. The results? Success! Holiday ice cubes – oh yeah!           

There really isn’t much of a point to making holiday ice cubes other than that THEY’RE SUPER FUN. Who doesn’t appreciate weirdly-shaped ice in their mixed drink? Besides, if there’s a time for impracticality, the holidays are it.

Materials

 

• Cookie cutters
• Cookie sheet
• A hammer
• Water and pitcher you can easily pour from

Step

Line the bottom of a large cookie sheet with cookie cutters. Fill the cookie sheet halfway with water*, then transfer it to the freezer. Once inside the freezer, fill the rest of the way with water (if you try to fill the cookie sheet all the way up and then move it, you will definitely spill it). Freeze until solid, or overnight. 

*Pro tip: If you want crystal clear ice, fill the pan with boiling water. Don’t forget to wear an oven mitt when transferring the pan to the freezer, however!

Step

Once the ice is frozen, pull the pan out of the freezer (wear an oven mitt because the cold metal will burn your hands), and let it sit out for about 10 minutes. Tap the ice around the cookie cutters with a hammer. The ice in the cookie cutter should stay intact, and you should be able to chip away at any remaining ice outside the cutter. Wiggle the ice cube from the cookie cutter – if you’re having a difficult time, run under water for a second or two.

---

Hey, what do you know? Holiday ice cubes! You can make these ahead of time, and store in the freezer until your next Christmas cocktail party. Try adding a drop of food coloring to the water before it freezes if you want a pop of color in your mixed drinks. 

 

I usually stick to the traditional egg nog as my go-to holiday drink, but I think I want to switch things up this year and try some new recipes. Any suggestions?