Festive Holiday Ice Cubes

If you’re hosting over the festive season, these Christmas ice cubes are one of those little details that instantly make drinks feel special — with almost no effort at all.

They’re simple to make, naturally beautiful, and turn even a basic glass of water into something that looks like it belongs on a Christmas table. I love making these ahead of time so they’re ready to go for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or any cosy gathering with friends.

The combination of orange, cinnamon, star anise and rosemary gives them a festive look and a gentle seasonal aroma as they slowly melt. No syrups, no colouring, no fuss — just real ingredients doing all the work.

Why These Festive Ice Cubes Are Worth Making

These holiday ice cubes are more than just pretty:

They elevate drinks instantly, whether you’re serving cocktails, mocktails or sparkling water.
They’re a great make-ahead option during a busy season.
They add a subtle festive aroma as they melt, without overpowering the drink.
They work beautifully for both adults and kids.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Jumbo ice cube moulds
• 2 oranges, sliced into thin rounds
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 4 star anise
• 4 short sprigs of fresh rosemary
• Cold water, to top up

How To Make Festive Christmas Ice Cubes

Step 1 

Slice the oranges into thin rounds. I like to keep them fairly thin so they bend easily and look delicate once frozen.

Step 2 

Make the “orange flower” in the jumbo ice cube mould. Gently curl one slice into a spiral and tuck it in so it fills the base of each section, like a little rose.

Step 3

Add the festive bits to each mould. Pop in one cinnamon stick, one star anise and one short sprig of rosemary, nudging everything into place so it sits neatly and will be visible once frozen.

Step 4

Top up with water. Pour it in slowly so you don’t disturb the orange flower, then use your fingers or a spoon to reposition anything that floats to the surface.

Step 5 

Freeze overnight until completely solid. When they’re fully frozen you should be able to see the orange and spices clearly through the ice, and the cubes will feel rock hard all the way through.

Step 6

Serve and enjoy. Drop one cube into a glass and let it slowly melt into your drink for the prettiest festive touch, with a subtle citrusy, spiced aroma as it warms up.

How To Use Them

These festive ice cubes work beautifully in:

• Sparkling water or tonic
• Prosecco or champagne
• Christmas cocktails and mocktails
• Festive punch bowls

They’re also a lovely touch if you’re setting up a self-serve drinks station — simple, elegant, and very Christmassy.

Tips & Hacks

Using jumbo ice cube moulds makes a big difference. Larger cubes melt more slowly and keep the decorations looking crisp for longer.

If you want clearer ice, you can boil the water first, let it cool completely, then use it for freezing.

Feel free to customise them too — cranberries, pomegranate seeds or extra citrus slices all work beautifully.

Swaps

Oranges: You can swap orange slices for blood orange, clementine or lemon slices. Keep them thin so they freeze neatly and stay visible.
Cinnamon sticks: Star cinnamon or cassia sticks both work well. You can also break a long stick in half to fit smaller moulds.
Star anise: Cloves or allspice berries are a good alternative if you don’t have star anise, though the flavour will be slightly different.
Rosemary: Thyme or bay leaves work beautifully for a festive look and subtle aroma.
Jumbo ice cube moulds: Smaller moulds work too, but the decorations will melt faster and won’t be as visible in the glass.

Storage

Freezer: Store the frozen festive ice cubes in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. Keep them flat to avoid cracking and to preserve the decorative shape.

More Easy Appetiser For The Holidays

• Sweet & Spicy Rosemary Nuts
• Traditional Tarallini Recipe – Crunchy, Savoury Italian Snack
• Speedy Mini Pizzas
• Parmesan Carrot Chips