Pine Sprig Ice Cubes

With holiday party season upon us, I'm always looking for unique ways to add seasonal fun to the mix. These easy to make pine sprig ice cubes are the jazz hands of cocktail coolers - sure to be a hit with your party people!

• any type of pine bough (fir, spruce, etc.) that has small, cube sized sprigs
• distilled or twice boiled water* (cooled to room temp.)
• ice cube tray

*To make your own 'pure' water, bring a small pot of water to a boil and then allow it to cool. Repeat this process. Doing this removes all the gasses, etc. that cause cloudiness in ice cubes. I used store bought distilled water to save time, but in hind sight, wish I had taken the time to make my own. I would have had even clearer results.

Wash the pine bough thoroughly, in cold water only.

With small scissors or your fingers, remove the small single or double sprigs at the end of the branches. (The new growth.) Pull off any rogue longer needles.

Make enough of them to fill each compartment of your ice cube tray.

Put one sprig in each tray square.

Fill the tray with cold or room temperature (distilled/purified) water.

Place the full tray in the freezer and leave overnight, or for at least 3-4 hours.

Now the only thing left to do is dazzle your guests and loved ones with some forest fun in their drinks!

Happy Holidays!!