Ice

Ice might not be something you’d think could ever be fancy. It’s just frozen water, after all. But, a number of social media influencers have been going all out to zhuzh up their ice and make their cocktails extra bougie. TikTok users are making everything from crystal-clear orbs and colorful flowers suspended in perfect cubes, to stunning ice made in heart-shaped molds. In fact, the hashtag #fancyice has been viewed almost 20 million times. Instagrammers are also getting in on the trend and snapping photos of drinks featuring large clear ice spheres and posting freezers full of colorful, fruit-filled cubes. All this ice inspiration may have you thinking that the regular ice cubes from your freezer tray for decades won’t cut it anymore. If you want to make fancy ice, we’ve rounded up some of the best ice molds around, according to enthusiastic customer reviews. The Best Classic Ice Cube Molds Classic cube-shaped ice is always a winner. Here are some of the best options. The Best Custom Ice Molds If you’re looking for extra-special ice for a party or event, check out these custom molds. The Best Specialty Shape Ice Molds Ice trays come in many fun shapes and sizes beyond the cube or rectangle. Here are a few favorites. The Best Sphere Ice Molds Large sphere-shaped ice is meant to keep drinks from diluting, since it melts slower than the standard cubes. Try these molds for fun. The Best Value Ice Molds Fancy options come in at many different price points. Here are some budget-friendly options. The Best Small Ice Cube Trays Many molds create large fancy ice, but there are plenty that make smaller pieces, too. The Best Silicone Ice Cube Trays Silicone ice cube trays are often easier to use than plastic ones. The material is flexible, so it’s easier to remove the cubes. The Best Large Ice Cube Trays Large chunks of ice melt slower, keeping your drinks from getting too watered-down. The Best for Clear Ice Crystal-clear ice cubes are trendy on TikTok and Instagram. These molds can help you make it yourself. FAQs Do Silicone Molds Work for Ice? Silicone molds usually work better for ice than hard-plastic trays. Silicone is a flexible material, so it’s easier to get the ice cubes out and they keep their shape better. What Material Is Best for an Ice Mold? Silicone molds are flexible so it’s usually easier to extract the ice cubes. The material is also dishwasher-safe so they’re easy to clean. However, silicone can absorb odors from the freezer, which might transfer to your ice. Plastic trays are easy to use, but they’re not as durable, and it’s harder to get perfect ice shapes. At the end of the day, it’s all about preference. How Long Do Ice Molds Take to Freeze? The length of time that it takes for ice to freeze depends on the size of the mold. Smaller ice trays may only take a few hours to freeze, but larger options may need up to 18 hours. Always place them in the coldest part of your freezer for optimal freezing. How Do You Get Clear Ice with Molds? Using distilled water—which is easy to find at your local grocery store—in your ice molds will help you get clearer ice. Another option is to purchase molds that use “directional freezing,” which is where ice freezes slowly from one direction. Many molds feature insulated sides that make directional freezing possible. You can check out some more information on clear ice and how to make it here. How Do You Get Perfectly Round Ice? Using sphere-shaped molds will help you get perfectly round ice. Once you fill the molds, make sure they’re placed on a level surface to freeze to avoid leaks and ensure that you end up with a round shape. Allow the mold to stay in the freezer until it’s completely set, which might take up to 18 hours. Then, remove the ice from the mold (run it under cold water if it sticks to the mold).