Best Bites: Ice Decanters
By Donna Erickson
Ice Decanters Make Outdoor Parties Magical
Planning a party this spring and summer on a budget? Fill an easy-to-freeze ice decanter with fresh lemonade for your next neighborhood party, and get ready for the ooh's and ah's when friends see the icy wonder! It's a frozen party asset that won't break the bank. Easy, fun, magical, and guaranteed to be cold!
Here's how to create an ice decanter. You'll need:
1 clean, empty half-gallon of standard cardboard milk, orange juice or lemonade carton with the top opened wide
1 empty and clean liter-sized glass of sparkling water, or a wine bottle with the top labels removed
Fresh fruits such as a lemons, oranges, limes and strawberries
Fresh dill or mint
Masking tape
Funnel
Here's the fun: Cut off the top portion of the juice carton if you wish, or keep it in place with the top portion left opened wide. (If you don't cut it, you could fill it near the top with water so that ice reaches up to the bottle's neck.) Set the bottle in the center of the carton and fill it a quarter full with water.
Let kids tuck sprigs of dill or mint and several thick lemon, orange or lime slices in the water around the bottle. Set tape over the top of the bottle and attach to the outer sides of the carton to keep the bottle in place in the center of the carton. Freeze.
Remove the carton from the freezer, then fill with more water, fruit slices and herbs until the water reaches close to the top of the carton. Refreeze.
To use, tear off the carton with your kids to reveal the surprise creation. You may need to run warm water around the carton, or an adult may cut the length of the carton with a knife to release it easily.
Set a funnel on the mouth of the bottle and fill it with lemonade or your preferred beverage. Place the filled ice decanter on a rimmed plate lined with a thin towel. Wrap and tie a cloth napkin around the lower portion of the ice block for easy handling.
Extra Idea: Make a floral ice sculpture. Fill the carton with water, add short-stemmed flowers such as roses, and freeze. The flowers will be suspended in the ice that encases the bottle.
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Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.
(c) 2025 Donna Erickson
Distributed by King Features Synd.