3 Ice Cube Hacks for the Holidays

3 Ways to Upgrade Cocktail Hour Using Things You Already Have in Your Kitchen

Updated November 15, 2019

Ice cube jello shots, mini punch rings and how to use your cookie cutters to freeze things—here are three ice cube hacks for your next holiday party that are just plain fun.

Cookie Cutter Cocktails

Cookie cutters aren’t just for baking anymore. Once you’ve made your cookies, use those cutters to for festive, fruity cocktails. Here’s what you’ll need:

Frozen fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries or mango
Lemon-lime soda, like Sprite™ or 7-UP™
Vodka
Cookie cutters
Cookie sheet

Lay cookie cutters on a cookie sheet, spaced apart.
Purée the fruits individually in a blender or food processor.
Fill the cookie cutters with puréed fruit, making sure to keep cookie cutters flush with the cookie sheet.
Freeze for 8 hours or until frozen solid. Push ice cubes through cookie cutters when you’re ready to use them.
To make a cocktail, add 1 ice cube to a glass, then top with lemon-lime soda and a splash of vodka.

Mini Bundt Punch Rings

Serving punch at your party? You’ll want to keep that bowl good and cool all night long—why not do it with a little flair? These petite, pretty punch rings are decorated with fresh fruits and herbs, making them the most stylish floaters around. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:

Fresh cranberries
Fresh rosemary
Fresh mint
Fresh lime slices
Fresh lemon slices
Whole star anise
Pomegranate arils
A silicone mini Bundt pan

1. Arrange fresh fruit and herbs in the silicone Bundt pan. Give each ice ring variety by sticking to 2-3 ingredients per ring.

2. In a large pot or kettle, boil water—boiled water will freeze clearer than regular tap water. Pour the boiled water into the molds and transfer the silicone pan to your freezer.

3. Let freeze for 8 hours or overnight, until solid. When you’re ready to use them, simply pop them out of the molds, and set them out to float in a bowl of party punch.

Looking for a punch recipe to satisfy your party guests? Try our spiced rum punch, Christmas sangria or exceptionally festive jingle juice.

Ice Cube Tray Jello Shots

Pick up your ice at the grocery store and let your ice cube tray have some fun for a change by turning it into a primo jello shot maker. We used our candy cane jello shot recipe in this silicone ice cube tray, but any recipe will work. For non-silicone trays that are more rigid, give the tray a light coat of cooking spray before filling. Keep in mind that the size of your ice cube tray will determine how much jello shot mixture you’ll need (for instance, we doubled the measurements in the “white layer” of this recipe to have enough liquid to fill the ice tray). After these festive shots set up overnight, each got a mini candy cane stuck through the middle for garnish. Crushed candy canes, holiday sprinkles or even edible glitter would also be a festive addition to these wiggly party treats. Bottoms up!