It's an Iced, Ice bucket!
Ok, I don’t know that this thing even needs an introduction. I mean, just look at it!
I love doing these ice buckets for dinner parties, holidays, or any occasion really. They are super gorgeous and a really great statement piece to add to any bar setup.
Materials:
Small plastic bucket (I use the inside of my copper ice bucket)
A plastic bottle the size of a wine or champagne bottle and something to weigh it down. If you have a small freezer, you will want it to be only as tall as your bucket, or your freezer will not shut!
Your choice of decor (could be fruit slices, flowers, greenery, whatever you want!).
Filtered water (so the results are a little clearer)
Space in your freezer
Some sort of tray to rest the ice bucket on to allow for the water to drain
Step 1: Fill your plastic bucket up with 3 inches of water and put that in the freezer alone. This will create a base for the ice bucket
Step 2: Once the base is solidly frozen, stick the plastic cup or bottle in the middle along with the weights inside.
Step 3: Start filling in the rest of the bucket with water just a little and make sure not to get it in the plastic cup and then you want to put in your decoration of choice in any pattern around the entirety of the bucket.
I always leave about 2 inches unfilled in the ice bucket because all the decorations start to float to the top as it freezes.
Step 4: Stick the whole thing back in the freezer.
Step 5: Once it’s pretty much full, I fill that remaining space left up with water. I like the ice bucket. to be solid ice on top without any decor sticking out of it.
Step 6: When you are ready to use the ice bucket, pull it out of the freezer and empty the plastic bottle full of weights and start filling it up with warm water so the ice on the inside melts a bit and you’ll be able to pull that bottle right out.
Step 7: Next, flip the bucket upside down and let the warm water run over the bottle and the outside of the plastic bucket. Careful not to get too much water on the inside of the actual ice bucket. Within a few minutes, the ice will have shrunk just enough to slide out of the plastic bucket.
Optional - put it back in the freezer for a few minutes to harden a little more
Step 8: Pop your favorite beverage in the ice bucket and enjoy all the compliments you will receive!
I would love to see what styles you choose to do for your ice buckets! Make sure to tag me so I can check it out!