OH HI!
Today’s Thirsty Thursday project is a little different — it’s not a cocktail recipe, but it does involve something to hold your drink: a floral ice bucket. It’s decorative, practical and makes any gathering feel a touch more special.
This floral ice bucket was a huge hit last summer, and since so many readers asked, here’s a clear, simple guide on how to make one yourself. It’s really fun and surprisingly impressive: people assume you spent a fortune or are wildly talented when they see flowers suspended in crystal-clear ice holding your wine.
A proper ice mold isn’t strictly required, but using one makes the whole process far easier. I tried doing this without a mold once and it was almost impossible to remove, and difficult to freeze flat in the freezer. An ice mold designed for a bottle or cooler shape makes assembly and removal so much simpler.
The mold I used works beautifully and is sturdy enough to freeze and unmold without drama. If you want to make two at once for a party, having a second mold helps — it speeds up preparation and gives you a backup.
About the flowers: I don’t buy fresh, expensive blooms just for this project. Instead, I usually pick up flowers a few days early and use them when they’re starting to fade. That makes me feel better about not wasting beautiful stems — and it still looks lovely when frozen in the ice.
Choose whatever flowers and colors you like. Trim petals and remove stems as needed so the blooms fit into the mold. I also sometimes include hardy green leaves for contrast. Arrange the flowers in the mold in a pleasing pattern, then pour in water. For clearer ice, pour hot (near-boiling) water — it helps reduce trapped air and yields a more transparent finish. Freeze for at least 24 hours; the longest part of the project is waiting for it to freeze solid, so plan ahead.
If you start early in the week, you can have a finished floral ice bucket by the weekend and celebrate in style — yes way rosé!
How to Make a Floral Ice Bucket
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Ingredients
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an ice cube mold or cooler mold
designed to fit a bottle or create a hollow center - a bunch of fresh flowers
Instructions
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Most molds include directions — follow those if provided. Trim flowers from stems and arrange them inside the mold in colors or patterns you like. You can add citrus slices or small fruit for a different look.
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Pour in hot water to help reduce air bubbles for clearer ice, then freeze for at least 24 hours. To unmold, briefly run warm water on the outside, remove the ice bucket from the mold, and place your bottle of wine or drinks in the hollow.
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Note: if your mold includes a holder or tray, use it. You can also set the finished ice bucket on a bed of ice to slow melting. Despite its size, it melts more slowly than you might expect, but it’s best used indoors and for a limited time.
Drinks
Did you make this?
Tag your photos with the hashtag for the host or project you follow and share your results. It’s always lovely to see others’ versions and variations.
And if you’re like me and don’t want to use the bucket for wine every time, filling it with sparkling blood orange soda or another fizzy drink is an equally festive option.