Spring is on the horizon (I'm being optimistic because I hate snow — just go with it), and there's bound to be a baby or wedding shower in your near future, or possibly a birthday. Or the Oscars! Don't forget about the Oscars! And when that happens, you should be armed with extra large ice cubes. Here's why...
When it comes to making large pitchers of party drink, ice tends to melt in a flash. So instead of worrying about watering down your drinks or having enough ice on hand to chill out the tasty treats, just make larger ice cubes! How? Real Simple recommends using a muffin tin. You can release the cubes easily with a small bit of warm water. Toss in a few fruit pieces and you've got yourself a par-tay!
→ Read More: Use Bakeware For Large Ice Cube Tray from Real Simple
Related: 5 Ways to Shake Up Boring Ice Cubes
(Image: Levi Brown for Real Simple)
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LOVE our big ice cubes. Each one usually makes it through two drinks!
For large gatherings or punch bowls I freeze water and/or juice in old whipped cream containers. 8 or 16 oz size will keep drink cold for a long time.
This is one of those obvious tips that make me go, "Why didn't I think of this before? I could have used that!"
I do this, and I've also layered 2-3 citrus slices in each muffin cup. It's cute and flavorful. I didn't think of that idea myself but I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it.
The silicone muffin trays are PERFECT for this, since you can push them out without any need to tap or thaw. I have flower-shaped ones, and the cubes looks so pretty in pitchers of water or sangria!
I use the extra small gladware containers with lids to make giant [approx 4 fluid ounces] ice cubes. my tiny refrigerator's freezer does a lousy job -- it's barely adequate to make ice! -- and the lids really help keep the frost build up down and reduce off odors and flavors in the ice itself. I don't love using plastic for any food storage, but this method works so well, I make it an exception!