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The Social-Media Approved Way to Jazz Up Summer Cocktails

2 minute read

Summer is the season for bright, fun cocktails, and when it comes to serving them up, one trend has made its way to the forefront this year: decorative ice. Whether it’s in a mocktail or a margarita, this fun spin on traditional ice cubes keeps things cool while dressing up your drinks, and the Internet has certainly noticed — searches on Pinterest are up by 82 percent.

Learn how to make your own decorative ice with this video, and keep reading to see what kind of mix-ins are trending and which drinks to pair them with.

Flowers
Of all the ice cube additions out there, Pinterest users overwhelmingly favor flowers. Use larger trays to fit whole blooms for a fun way to dress up coolers and punch bowls, or try smaller flowers and petals in standard-size trays for serving individual drinks. Just be sure to wash them beforehand!

Mint
The only thing more refreshing than a cold drink in the summertime is one with a sprig of mint. Adding a few mint leaves to your ice cubes combines the effect, making for a sophisticated garnish that lends fresh flavor to both cocktails and plain water.

Sprinkles
With no shortage of sizes and colors available, freezing various types of sprinkles into your ice cubes will give you plenty of ways to serve up festive cocktails. Frozen glitter cubes reign supreme on Pinterest, but tracking down an edible version can be tough, so opt for shiny sprinkles instead for a similar effect.

Berries
Frozen berry ice cubes are as colorful as they are flavorful, and the colors work especially well for the Fourth of July. Use them to dress up simple cocktails and seltzer or to infuse your water with fruit flavors naturally.

Lime
Lime slices in ice look great and pack a punch. Gin, vodka, tequila—you name it! These slim wedges work in just about any beverage, so be sure there are plenty to go around at your next barbeque.

This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com

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