So here’s the thing…. I made ice.
Actually, my freezer made ice. I put strawberries and water in an ice cube tray.
Not everything is yeasted, risen, covered in cinnamon, or battered and fried. Sometimes we need something as simple as… ice.
If you’re still with me, just imagine all of the possible combinations! Blueberry lime ice. Strawberry mint ice. Pineapple ice. Lemon raspberry ice. Cocktail enhancers!
Consider the real-life application of Strawberry Ice: in lemonade (with or without vodka).
Any real-life application in my house usually involves my cat.
You might also consider Strawberry Cream Puffs aaaand Strawberry Upside Down Cake with Cardamom.
This is beyond easy.
Start with your fruit.
Smash it and mash it. Place it in the ice cube slots.
Pour water over and toss it in the freezer.
Top frozen cubes with lemonade… or really any beverage that you want to turn strawberry-y.
You know that scene in Bridesmaids when Kristen Wiig is going to the Parisian wedding shower, with the giant cookie, and she’s super pissed at how amazing the Strawberry Lemonade is? This is that. Exactly.
Oh… and if you haven’t yet seen Bridesmaids… that was a major spoiler. Kidding.
It seems really silly to put a recipe below… but I’m going to, because that’s what I do here. Don’t hate. Appreciate.
Strawberry Ice
makes 12 cubes
3 large strawberries, mashed and chopped
water
ice cube tray
Place a combination of mashed and chopped strawberries in each ice cube slot. Pour enough filtered water to fill the tray. Freeze until frozen through and serve with cocktails and lemonade.
Stuti
I do this with herbs; mostly to preserve them, and use them later. but the mint cubes are excellent with water or lemonade. Also, you could add tiny chunks of lime or lemon.
Mommypage
This looks amazing!! You are very clever. I bet this would be delicious with blueberries as well.
Katherine
This is a great idea. I will use this at the next party.
Seanna Lea
I like to make cold soups and put together a half tray or so of soup ice cubes. That way if you are bringing the soup to a party it stays cold!
Lydia Grace
Oh my! I just realised that my kitten (okay, she’s more like a teenage cat) is probably going to look exactly like your cat when she’s older! CUTE!
This recipe is SUCH a great idea, can’t wait for strawberries to come back into season in NZ!
Audrey
About to do this right this moment, with the addition of some pineapple and blackberries (I’ve got them on hand and reaaaally need to use them up). Will be added to the Crystal Lite my boyfriend seems to be addicted to. I have a sweet heart-shaped ice cube tray they’ll be going into :)
Anitajoye
I love this idea… but why corrupt the strawberries with ice? I’ve always felt that drinks and fruit should not be watered down. I keep a stash of frozen whole strawberry cicles in the fridge. Ie, I am using whole strawberry’s as ice cubes, yes I am.
Tiff
Simple & totally brilliant. You’re going to start making ice pops next, I can see it now.
Lucia
This summer I want to make new drinks and cocktails and sip them reading a book with a big hat, at the shadow of an oak tree. Strawberry Ice Cubes are perfect :-)
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
“damn that’s fresh”. Love it. Genius! fruity and delicious. Happy days indeed.
Heidi xo
Dinah
I thought your cat was orange. Who is that imposter?
Leah N
love this and the bridesmaid reference… that part is gold!
Victoria
Joy you think of it ALL! Thanks…..I have some strawberries that I needed to do sonething with and this is just the thing. Have a great weekend!
Amielle
In a word (or, really, two): simply. perfect. This is exactly what a glass of water needs sometimes. Or, you know, what I need sometimes.
caroleena
Genius! Thank you
Ann P.
This makes me want a strawberry lemonade so badly!! And I totally love bridesmaids, when Kristin Wiig gets pissed at the lemonade, haha! such a funny movie. :)
Jenny
not to sound weird about noticing things like doors in the background. but that door in the background is amazing for real (not for fake).
also, i wept from laughter during Bridesmaids. It’s just what you have to do
Kara
Joy you could make the ice cubes with lemonade instead of water, then use them in water for lemony-strawberry water!!! Also it was so great meeting you in Brooklyn back in March! You rock:)
Sierra
Yum! Sometimes you need to be able to make something so simple and awesome that you feel like you accomplished something…with very little effort.
Julie
Looks delicous! Thank you for bringing me happiness everyday.
Sarah
So simple and elegant! Would add a touch of class (and flavor!) to any drink.
CarlT
What about mixing your strawberry powder with some water and then setting that up as ice cubes? A different look for sure but I’ll bet it would be terrific.
joythebaker
i bet that would be awesome!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi)
Yeah. This is simple and amazing. I would totally use this idea for any type of cocktail…. I don’t even know what a mocktail is so I won’t go there. :)
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
Yummers! I bet you just milk even more juicy goodness out of it by adding a teeny bit of sugar to the berries before putting them in the ice cube trays… strawberry juice for the win!
Rocky Mountain Woman
lovely idea! my grandkids will think I’m soooo cool….
Eileen
Ha, I was totally thinking this would be a recipe for some sort of sorbet concoction! But no. :) I would definitely drink plenty of that strawberry lemonade, though! Sometimes the simplest things are the best.
Melissa
Lol@ the Bridesmaid’s scene andddd ‘don’t hate, appreciate.’ Preach it sista!!–ok. i got carried away. Anywho..where do you and Ms. Shutterbean find those cool straws?!
Carrie@bakeahlic mama
That’s the prettiest ice I have ever seen!
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See
Brilliance.
on brilliance. on brilliance.
Jessie
Mint and lime ice cubes are especially great in mint iced tea! I also love the idea of freezing flavored ice in muffin tins to place in punch bowls for a party.
P.S. I’m so happy to see I’m not the only one with a browned (and well loved) cookie sheet; mine won’t come clean no matter how much scrubbing and I am now ok with that.
Lynna
LOL, hey, i love simple recipes and ideas! :) will definitely keep this in mind!
Carrie
YES! I love this idea. Sigh. you’re my hero.
alison
if you want pretty clear ice, rather than the normal cloudy ice, use hot water in your ice cube tray rather than cold. they should freeze faster with hot water as well.
Natasha
This is brilliant. When I first saw the recipe title I thought it would be for a smoothie or something similar, but this will go perfectly with lemonade or even just plain water.
Redd H from Salted Spoon
This looks like such an easy way to make a drink look more elegant! I think the straws really help too. Where did you get those?
Reformed Foodie
with vodka – definitely with vodka:)
Vicki B
Brilliant! And thank you for posting the “recipe”. It may be simple but it’s nice to have in a recipe format to put in a recipe file or box.
Ashley in NC
I was organizing my kitchen cabinets last night (my exciting life) and found an ice cube tray that I hadn’t used in years. Also, I have a pint of strawberries in the fridge that are plummeting toward the end of their prime and need to be used pronto. I know what I’ll be doing when I get home from work.
Thanks for posting this awesome idea!
Renee
Now I can’t wait to go home and make ice! Your cat is super fluffy and adorable!
OliePants
A beautiful idea for the spring time. This would be so pretty in lemonade.
daydream kate
Sometimes the simplest things sound the best. I am so going to do this. But I think I might add basil…once it grows big enough to harvest.
joythebaker
that’s a 100% brilliant idea!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
What a great idea! So easy yet I’m sure it’ll freshen up any drink.
sally
“Sh*t that’s fresh…” my favorite line from Bridesmaids, haha
Awesome idea!
joythebaker
TOTALLY my favorite too! hahahaa!
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Great idea, Joy, and your pictures as always, are gorgeous!
Looking at that picture of the kitty in your set-up and wondering if you’re forever using lint rollers on linens to remove the hair as I am. Haha
Happy Wednesday!!
Adrienne @ How to Ice a Cake
I think your cat and mine would get along swimmingly. He’s always photo bombing all of my shots :D I need to pick up some ice cube trays so I can give this a try. Strawberry lemonade sounds right up my alley!
Sydney
these sounds AH-mazing.
That scene in bridesmaids is my and my best friend’s favourite scene in the whole movie. Excellent reference.
ileana
What a pretty idea!
Cindy
seriously… a recipe for ice cubes? yikes.
joythebaker
don’t hate. appreciate.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
I love your kitty. to death.
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
Cocktail enhancers- mmmmm! Not that they aren’t delicious enough on their own.
PS- that looks JUST like my cat! It is crazy! ….and so is all the fur that gets on everything in my apartment!
Robyn
totes made the strawberry upside-down cake for mother’s day and LOVED IT!
also – love the scene you’re talking about in bridesmaids. when she takes a sip and says “that’s f…resh” i laugh so hard!
Jennifer
Super easy and great!
Holly
This would be so perfect in a glass of rosé. I’m totally making some of these tonight!
Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are}
Oh, you stole my heart with strawberry ice in lemonade WITH vodka. . . .*Squeal*! Summer is right around the corner!
Leisa
So simple and summery, how lovely!
…and it always makes me so happy to see pics of your kitty included :-)
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I love this idea! What a great idea to make a glass of water (or vodka) more exciting!
M.
Joy I made your upside down cake but with rhubarb and it was gooooood :))
Laura
What about filling up the ice cube tray with lemonade, not water? Major!!
john
What an amazing Drink , thanks too much for sharing it :)
marissa @ the boot
sometimes all it takes is some water and magic (aka, science). i love the idea of popping these in water for a little zest. ooh, lemon zest would be a good addition too!
Kathryn
These are so pretty and just perfect for a party I’m having this weekend!
Cesar
These ice cubes are a great idea. I think this summer I will made plenty of fruit ice cubes. Thanks a million for this cooking trick.
Margherita
I remember perfectly that scene in Bridesmaids, it’s hilarious!
vanessalillian
Lovvvvved Bridesmaids!
… aaaand now I have the song from Mary Poppins in my head about strawberry ice and cake and tea where they have afternoon tea served by penguins (as you do). I’m thinking this would also be a good idea with raspberries and mint.
Katie
Dang! This is genius! I’m thinking cucumber lime ice cubes for gin fizzes. Yum!
joythebaker
cucumber! good moves.
Rima @ Bolu
so simple yet so EASY to do.
thanks for this. the hot summer wave of SoCal is coming up, so this would be PurrFect!
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles
Super pretty ice cubes! I’m digging them for summer! =)
Sophie
I knew my ice cube tray was meant for more than plain old water!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
These are so fun! I’m going to make some to encourage myself to drink more water (instead of a bajillion cans of diet coke)
Jamie @ green beans & grapefruit
Definitely a great way to drink water! Mwah!
The slow pace
Super easy and perfect for Summer!
Mary @ Bake Break
A similar endeavor has been on my “to do” list all week – now I guess I have to! Nothing like some good spring weather to bring out the flavorful ice cubes!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I want to pop these into my cucumber water or green tea. Delish! Love your cute cat, too.
Margarita
What? Your innovations never cease to amaze me Joy! I love this so much! So perfect for everything, cocktails, smoothies, special touch to lemonade/orange juice, iced tea, everything!
emmycooks
As someone who has smashed a lot of strawberries in the past week, let me share this pro tip: put them in a ziploc bag, SEAL IT, then smash the berries with your palm. Look how much cleanup I just saved you. Mine were for ice cream, but next time they’re going in the ice cube tray. These ice cubes would fancy up any summer drink! I might also have to make some blackberry ice cubes for G&Ts (with a little mint and cucumber, mmmm).
Lauren @ Part Time House Wife
Love this! I was actually thinking about doing this for a baby shower I’m throwing in a few weeks.
Love the straws in your glasses!
Hannah at FleurDeLicious
loving the change-up to the dark backgrounds! gorgeous shots!
Kaila
Perfect timing! I was just cruising the net (does anyone actually say is anymore? Haha) looking for ways to use up the strawberries I have… These are already made and freezing up as I type. I don’t need an excuse for drinking too much gin cocktails this summer, but I think this is it. Thanks again Joy!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I love your ice cubes and those old fashioned straws. Almost just ordered some like that from a site. Super fun.
And nice lens! Is it the 50mm f/1.2? the 24-70mm? Can’t tell but I do see that nice red ring around it :) Would love to know which lens gets the most use!
Jessie
This looks absolutely refreshing and is a good reminder that summer is on the way. Love it!
Ali
This is genius. And you’re hilarious. I wish we could be friends. :)