Meet your new favorite way to make any drink instantly more exciting: Fruity Ice Cubes! These playful, jewel-toned cubes instantly brighten up a glass of water, lemonade, or even sparkling cocktails. Not only do they keep your drinks nice and chilly, but they also infuse every sip with fresh, summery fruit flavor. They’re a total game-changer for entertaining—or just treating yourself to something a little special on a hot afternoon.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Gorgeous: These Fruity Ice Cubes make every drink look like it belongs at a garden party, and they’re almost too pretty to use!
- Endlessly Customizable: Use any mix of berries or fruit you love, and choose your favorite liquid base for endless flavor combinations.
- No-Fuss and Kid-Friendly: This is such a simple recipe that kids can help build their own cubes—perfect for summer boredom busters!
- Adds Real Fruit to Hydration: You’ll actually look forward to drinking more water thanks to the tasty infusion from each fruity cube.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of wholesome, colorful ingredients for these Fruity Ice Cubes, which is exactly why they taste so fresh and vibrant. Each addition is a chance to add more flavor, color, or fizz to your favorite drinks—so let’s gather our mini “ice cube artists” and get started!
- 3 cups fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries): This berry medley brings beautiful colors and distinctive flavors; chop strawberries for easy packing.
- 2 cups water or liquid of choice (soda, lemonade, sparkling water): Using a flavored or fizzy liquid totally changes the vibe—try lemonade for tang or sparkling water for extra sparkle.
Variations
The beauty of Fruity Ice Cubes is how fun and forgiving they are. If you’re feeling creative or simply want to use up what’s in your fridge, there’s zero reason to stick to one formula—swap in new fruits, liquids, or even extras to match your mood or the season!
- Citrus Twist: Try orange, lemon, or lime slices for a zesty burst of sunshine in every cube.
- Tropical Breeze: Add diced mango, pineapple, or kiwi for a summer vacation vibe in your glass.
- Herbal Infusion: Tuck in a sprig of fresh mint, basil, or even rosemary with the fruit for a subtle, fragrant flavor.
- Flavored Liquids: Use coconut water, pink lemonade, or even your favorite herbal tea instead of plain water for a special touch.
How to Make Fruity Ice Cubes
Step 1: Prep Your Fruit
Rinse your favorite berries thoroughly. If you’re using strawberries, hull and chop them into bite-sized pieces—smaller fruit pieces mean you can fit more flavor in every cube. If your fruit is larger or you’re adding different varieties like citrus or kiwi, slice them thin so they freeze beautifully and release their essence into your drinks.
Step 2: Fill the Ice Cube Tray
Press the prepared fruit gently into each compartment of your ice cube tray. Feel free to mix and match berries for a colorful mosaic effect! If you have a silicone ice cube mold, use that for easy release and bigger fruit-stuffed cubes. Don’t be shy—fill each spot generously, just keep everything under the top edge so the liquid will cover it all.
Step 3: Add Your Liquid
Slowly pour your chosen liquid (water, lemonade, soda, or sparkling water) over the fruit in each cube, filling to just below the top. If you want ultra-clear cubes, use filtered water. For extra flavor or fizz, opt for something bubbly or sweet!
Step 4: Freeze and Enjoy
Place the tray in the freezer and chill for at least 1 hour, or until fully frozen. To serve, simply pop out a few fruity ice cubes and drop them into your favorite glass of water, lemonade, or cocktail. As the ice melts, your drink gets a steady infusion of fresh fruit flavor—plus a snack at the end!
Pro Tips for Making Fruity Ice Cubes
- Go Bold with Fillings: The more fruit you can fit into each cube, the bolder the color and flavor payoff in your finished ice cubes!
- Choose the Right Tray: Larger silicone molds are a superstar here—they hold more fruit and make the cubes easier to remove without breaking apart.
- Filtered Water for Clarity: Use filtered water for crystal-clear Fruity Ice Cubes that show off the colors of your fruit.
- Chop Fruit Small: Smaller pieces tuck nicely into the mold and freeze more evenly, giving you gorgeous, bite-sized nibbles as the ice melts.
How to Serve Fruity Ice Cubes
Garnishes
For an eye-catching touch, consider topping your drinks with an extra sprig of mint, a wedge of citrus, or a colorful straw. Fruity Ice Cubes do most of the work making drinks look inviting, but these finishing touches turn the ordinary into something celebration-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair your fruit-filled, icy drinks with simple summer appetizers—think cheese platters, fruit salads, or even a light sandwich spread. Fruity Ice Cubes turn basic beverages into instant party fare, so they’re especially great alongside picnic foods and snacks at a brunch or barbecue.
Creative Ways to Present
Wow your guests by piling Fruity Ice Cubes into a big glass pitcher before pouring in lemonade or sparkling water tableside. Or, set out a “DIY drink bar” where everyone can drop in their favorite fruit combinations and watch their drinks transform right before their eyes. For a playful twist, freeze the cubes in fun shapes using novelty ice molds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover Fruity Ice Cubes to a resealable bag or airtight container and keep them in the freezer. This way, you can just pop out a few whenever you want a little color and flavor in your next drink—no need to make a fresh batch every time.
Freezing
This recipe is perfect for freezing ahead: make big batches in advance, so you’re always ready for an impromptu party or a refreshing solo treat. The Fruity Ice Cubes will stay fresh-tasting for up to a month, so don’t be shy about doubling up.
Reheating
No reheating needed here—just use the cubes straight from the freezer. If your cubes stick, run the bottom of the tray under cool water for a few seconds to loosen them up without melting the fruit inside.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh for Fruity Ice Cubes?
Absolutely! If fresh berries aren’t in season, frozen fruit works perfectly. Just add the frozen fruit directly to the tray—there’s no need to thaw first—then fill with your chosen liquid and freeze as usual.
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What’s the best way to get Fruity Ice Cubes out of the tray?
Silicone ice cube molds are a breeze since you can flex them, but for regular trays, run the bottom under cold or slightly warm water for 10–20 seconds and the cubes should pop right out.
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Do Fruity Ice Cubes work in cocktails or only in water?
They’re fabulous in both! Fruity Ice Cubes are an easy way to add a splash of color and a hint of fruit flavor to white wine, sangria, sparkling cocktails, or mocktails, and are especially great at keeping drinks cold without diluting them.
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Can I mix different fruits in each cube, or should I stick to one type?
Mix away! Layering different berries and fruits creates beautiful, party-ready ice cubes and new flavor combinations in every glass. It’s one of the most fun ways to get creative with this recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about dressing up your everyday drinks with homemade Fruity Ice Cubes. Whether you’re serving guests, keeping your kids hydrated, or simply enjoying a sparkling glass of something cold on the porch, give these a try—you’ll be amazed at how much fun (and flavor) each little cube brings!
Print
Fruity Ice Cubes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Freezing
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Add a burst of fruity flavor to your drinks with these easy-to-make fruity ice cubes. Perfect for adding a touch of sweetness and color to any beverage, these cubes are a refreshing treat on hot days.
Ingredients
Fruity Ice Cubes:
- 3 cups fresh rinsed berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries (if using strawberries hull and chop first)
- 2 cups water or liquid of choice, such as soda, lemonade or sparkling water
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruity Ice Cubes: Press the berries into the holes of an empty ice cube tray. Pour liquid of choice over the tops of the fruit and freeze for a minimum of 1 hour.
- Serve: Add the fruit cubes to a glass or pitcher of water or a can of sparkling water. Add additional fruit, if desired.
Notes
- Load up on the fruit! As long as it fits below the surface of the ice cube tray, it’s fair game.
- If it’s not fresh fruit season, use frozen fruit instead.
- The smaller pieces of fruit you use, the more you’ll be able to squeeze in.
- To spruce the cubes up even more, replace the plain water in the cubes with sprite or sparkling water.
- Use a regular plastic ice cube mold or a silicone mold for this recipe. Larger silicone molds hold extra volume, so you can pack in extra fruit.
- Use filtered water for the freshest, tastiest cubes.
- Fruit flavored cubes are a refreshing drink for kids in the summer, but they are also great for hot afternoons on the deck, girls night or brunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
