Creative Ice Cubes

When serving cocktails and punches, it sucks when the ice cubes you use to keep the beverage cold and refreshing end up making your drink into a diluted mess.

Leave it to Martha to present an ingenious solution that makes the best of form and function: flavoured citrus ice cubes!

I like to tailor the ingredient selection to the specific drink I'm serving. For example, if making a white sangria, I'll use citrus slices and apple juice instead of water.

When in doubt, go with simple citrus and water with a squirt of lime juice. This combo complements everything from diet coke to a gin and tonic and you can leave the citrus cubes on the bar for both drinkers and non-alkies to use at their discretion.

Here are directions to make these tasty and decorative ice cubes:

1. Slice lemons and limes (or other desired fruit)
2. Layer the slices in a silicone muffin/tart tray
3. Fill each cup 3/4 the way with water or desired fruit juice and freeze
4. Once they're frozen, pop out the ice cubes and enjoy!

(top images via martha stewart)