adding whimsical touches and special details to items is a very simple way to elevate yourself in the entertaining game. this diy botanical ice bucket is a simple and inexpensive way to store a chilled bottle of champagne or sparkling wine over the holidays. it requires some time to freeze a couple elements, but minimal effort. I hope you try it for your next party!
what you need:
- two buckets or canisters: you’ll want to make sure that the larger vessel fits in your freezer, the smaller vessel fits in the larger with at least a 1 inch circumference gap. You’ll also want to make sure the smaller vessel can easily hold a bottle of champagne.
- fresh, dried or candied orange slices
- one bunch of fresh eucalyptus: I loved the look and smell of these. the top stems that spend out of the ice bucket also stayed fresh-looking after being frozen and defrosted.
- warming spices: I used cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves.
how to make:
You will simply begin by freezing a couple inches of water at the bottom of the larger vessel then freeze until solid. that will be the base. Next, add the smaller vessel atop the frozen base in the larger vessel. add something heavy in the middle of the small vessel to keep it in the middle. begin by adding rounded eucalyptus branches in the bottom 1/3 of the bucket. next, add sliced citrus in a line, followed by cinnamon sticks and spices. next, I added the remaining eucalyptus, letting several branches suspend atop the bucket for a natural organic look. gently add water around the small bucket until it reaches the top/ add more weight in the small bucket, if needed, then freeze.
after freezing, suspend the bottom of the large bucket under hot water to release the ice bucket. next, fill the smaller inner bucket with hot water to pull out and release. Add ice bucket to a glass pie plate and freeze again, at least a few hours, to create a base when it begins to melt.
right before event begins, removed ice bucket from freezer and serve with a bottle of champagne inside.
holiday ice bucket ideas:
if you aren’t throwing an autumn event, I have a few ideas to switch up the them of the ice bucket:
- holiday bucket: freeze evergreen branches with fresh cranberries, lemon slices and cinnamon sticks.
- spring bucket: freeze fern leaves with baby’s breath and sliced strawberries.
- summer bucket: freeze sunflowers with fresh blueberries and herbs.
DIY Botanical Ice Bucket
Ingredients
- 2 entertaining buckets that can fit in eachother, make sure the smaller one fits a champagne bottle
- 1 bunch fresh eucalyptus
- 2 cups dried orange slices
- 6-8 star anise
- 12 cinnamon sticks
- 1 glass pie plate with lip
Instructions
- Add a couple inches of water to the bottom of the larger bucket. Freeze to harden, at least overnight. This creates the base.
- Add inner bucket to the center of large bucket. Add something inside the smaller bucket to weigh it down while you add decor. I began by wrapping eucalyptus branches around the bottom 1/3, followed by a row of orange slices, more eucalyptus, and assorted cinnamon sticks and star anise. My final layer of eucalyptus came out of the top for an organic look. Gently fill around the smaller bucket with water and freeze overnight.
- To release, run hot water on the bottom of the large bucket until it slips out. Next, fill smaller inner bucket with hot water to pull out and release. Add bucket to a glass pie plate and freeze again, at least a few hours, to create a base when it begins to melt.
- Right before event begins, remove ice bucket from freezer and add to your entertaining area with a bottle of champagne inside. Mold should last 2-3 hours.
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