These fruit ice cubes are the ultimate way to level up any and all drinks all summer long.
Summer is here, and staying hydrated is more important than ever. But why settle for plain ice cubes when you can add a burst of flavor and a splash of color to your drinks? Enter fruit ice cubes-a fun and nutritious way to enhance your beverages. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also infuse your water, tea, sparkling water, or juice with a little natural sweetness and flavor from the fresh fruit and mint. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your beverages, these fruit infused ice cubes are incredibly easy to make and a fun way to stay hydrated.
Whether you're trying to motivate yourself to drink more water and other unsweetened beverages or you're hosting fun summer get-togethers, these fruit ice cubes are a perfect addition.
Add these beauties to any beverage, and that drink is immediately leveled up. They are practically little cubes of art floating around, infusing your drink with bursts of natural flavor and pretty colors.
Looking for another fun way to dress up your drinks? Try these beautiful botanical ice cubes made with edible flowers and herbs.
Looking for more ways to hydrate and consume more fruit this summer? Try my berry protein smoothie-it's made with only 5 ingredients! Or this simple but oh-so-satisfying watermelon with lime and mint salad.
Ingredients
- Fruit of Choice: To make these fruit ice cubes, you'll need.... you guessed it, your favorite fruits! This recipe is highly customizable, allowing you to use any fruit you desire. I love using strawberries and blueberries for drinks and gatherings around the 4th of July.
- Fresh Mint: Mint adds a refreshing and aromatic quality to the fruit ice cubes, enhancing the overall flavor and providing a cooling sensation that's perfect for hot summer days. Additionally, mint complements a wide variety of fruits, making it a versatile and delightful addition to your drinks.
- Water: No surprise here, you will need water to make these refreshing ice cubes!
- Lemon or Lime Juice: (optional) I love adding the juice of a lime or lemon to my fruit ice cube trays for a zesty citrus twist that brightens up any beverage.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
One thing I think you enjoy about this recipe is how amazingly simple and straightforward it is to make these fruit ice cubes.
- Fill your ice cube trays with cut up fruit and mint.
- If using lemon or lime juice, add it to a liquid measuring cup. Then, add water to the measuring cup until you reach the 1-cup mark. Pour this mixture into the ice cube trays over the fruit and mint.
- If there is any remaining space in the ice cube trays, top off with plain water to cover the fruit and mint.
- Place the trays in the freezer to freeze, which will likely take 2-3 hours.
Hint: Alternatively, you can reverse steps 1 and 2 by pouring the liquid first and then adding the berries (or other fruit) and mint. This shows how easy and adaptable this recipe can be!
Variations
Fruit: It's fun to experiment with different fruit and flavor combinations. Other fruits that go great in fruit ice cubes include:
- Watermelon
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapes
- Mango
- Peaches
- Pomegranate seeds
- Cucumber (technically a fruit!)
- Cherries
- Apples
If you don't have fresh fruit on hand, frozen fruit can be used instead. However, fresh fruit tends to work better as it holds its shape and flavor more effectively when frozen into ice cubes.
Lemon/lime juice: you can use bottled if you don't fresh on hand. 1 lemon or lime provides ~2 tablespoons of juice.
Extra fun tip: For an extra burst of flavor, try freezing your fruit ice cubes with a splash of coconut water or herbal tea instead of plain water. This adds an additional layer of taste that perfectly complements the fresh fruit and mint. Enjoy them in sparkling water, lemonade, or even cocktails for a refreshing twist!
Equipment
You will need at least 1 ice cube tray for this recipe.
I used regular ice cube trays here, but you can also get creative with different shapes and sizes. Silicone trays with lids, fun tray shapes, or even a mini muffin tin all work well for making fruit ice cubes.
Storage
Store ice cubes in the freezer until you are ready to enjoy!
If you're planning to make a larger batch of fruit ice cubes for a party, here's a handy tip: keep a heavy-duty resealable plastic freezer bag in the freezer. Once your ice trays are filled and frozen, transfer the cubes into the bag. This way, you'll always have a ready supply of fruit ice cubes on hand while you continue freezing more batches.
FAQ
Fruit infused ice cubes can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. For the best flavor, use them within the first month.
These ice cubes are great in water, sparkling water, lemonade, iced tea, and even cocktails. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite!
Absolutely! Mint is optional and can be left out if you prefer. You can also experiment with other herbs like basil or rosemary for a different flavor profile.
Yes, you can use frozen fruit. However, fresh fruit tends to work better as it holds its shape and flavor more effectively when frozen into ice cube
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
Here are some of my favorite summer dishes to serve alongside a refreshing drink that's being chilled by floral ice cubes:
Fruit Ice Cubes
Equipment
- 1 ice cube tray
Ingredients
- Blueberries and/or substitute fruit of choice
- Strawberries and/or substitute fruit of choice
- 1-2 sprigs of mint
- 1 cup water
- Juice of 1 lemon or lime (2 tablespoons juice), (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by chopping your chosen fruits and fresh mint into sizes that will fit your ice cube tray. For example, blueberries can remain whole, while strawberries should be sliced in half or quarters. Also of note, small or tiny mint leaves do not necessarily need to be chopped. You can place them whole in the ice cube tray for a beautiful presentation!
- Place the chopped fruit and mint into each section of the ice cube tray.
- If using lemon or lime juice, add it to a liquid measuring cup. Then, add water to the measuring cup until you reach the 1-cup mark. Pour this mixture into the ice cube trays over the fruit and mint.
- If there is any remaining space in the ice cube trays, top off with plain water to cover the fruit and mint.
- Place the trays in the freezer to freeze, which will likely take 2-3 hours.
- Store any leftover cubes in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. For the best flavor, use them within the first month.
Notes
- Keep the ice cubes in a resealable freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and to save space.
Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: