best of 2006: d.i.y. ice sleeve
January 1, 2007 by Cash
This is a repost from October, 2006
Ah booze; “The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.”
All month long on Thursdays at noon I’ll be sharing my thoughts on enjoying a tippler’s life.
If there are two things in life I truly enjoy, entertaining, and entertaining myself with booze would be near the top.
Today’s DIY project has practical applications for both.
An ice sleeve, as the name implies, is a sheath of ice wrapped around a bottle (750ml bottles work best) of your favorite libation.
The benefits are numerous.
- The spirit is kept perfectly chilled for an extended period of time, even when sitting at room temperature.
- It keeps people out of your freezer, which in my kitchen can end up being a major bottleneck during soirees
- It looks classy, cool and will define your event as unique.
HOW TO
Making an ice sheath is a quick, painless process.
- Get an empty 1/2 gallon milk carton. I suggest obtaining one by drinking the contents.
- Cut off the top portion of the carton, leaving you with a rectangular ‘tube’.
- Place bottle in the center or the carton, and fill the carton almost to the top with water.
- Freeze (at least overnight to insure the ice is solid).
- Peel off the milk carton and discard.
- Voila; an ice sculpture, conversation piece and beverage chiller all in one.
Ice Ice Baby
ADDITIONAL TIPS
- If you’re hosting a party, why not create a sleeve for several bottles? You can place a towel on a table top or your bar to stand the frozen bottles on allowing guests to serve themselves. If you trust them with your booze.
- You can make a rounded sleeve by following the same process with an empty 2 litre bottle of soda. (This is slightly more difficult to ‘peel off’ after freezing, but the results can be worth it)
- If you truly feel like going Drunken Martha Stewart style, add some food coloring to the water around the bottle for an easter egg/st. patrick’s day/halloween/christmas balls, etc effect.
Until next time, drink up, and drink often.
Technorati Tags: drinking, drunk, parties, diy, diy projects, how to, booze, vodka, gin, tequila, scotch, whiskey
I know someone with a Kitchen Aide Mixer… It’s real nice.
It’d be almost impossible to pour from something like that, so you’d better get a milk carton holder to go along with it: http://www.amazon.com/Milk-Juice-Soda-Carton-Holder/dp/B0007MU2OU
Actually, the neck remains clear of the ice and works well for pouring. I’ll have to check out the holder though.
This really is such a great idea Cash. Big ups to you!