Lemon Rosemary Ice Cubes

If you ask me, plain ole’ water is pretty dull and boring. If I’m going to drink water during the day, and I normally do, I’m going to need something fun… something tasty… something exciting!

Today I’m sharing how I make Lemon Rosemary Ice Cubes to pretty up my water and not only give it more flavor, but more health benefits too. I’ll talk about how to make them (as well as how to keep your herbs from floating to the top of your ice cubes), why they’re good for your body, and some different ways to use them. Read on my friend!

I love making herbal ice cubes. They’re pretty, they add festive details to get-togethers and parties (and people notice the details!), they’re useful, they taste good, they spark creativity, and so much more.

However, I really don’t like it when I go to make herbal ice cubes, and all the pretty additives wind up at the top of the ice cube. It looks thrown together and not as pretty as having the herbs, fruits, flowers (whatever you’re putting in there) actually inside the ice cube.

So, if you’re like me and you want to keep your herbs from floating to the top of your ice cubes simply follow the directions below to achieve herbal ice cube success!

How To Make Lemon Rosemary Ice Cubes (+ How To Keep Your Herbs From Floating To The Top)

Ingredients:

• ice cube molds
• pure water
• fresh rosemary
• fresh lemon

Directions:

1. Pour ice cube molds half full of water.
2. Chop rosemary and small triangle-shaped wedges of lemon and place an equal amount in each cube. (Tip: Bruise your rosemary leaves to release more of their volatile oils. It will enhance the flavor of your ice cubes.)
3. Freeze for 8 hours.
4. Remove from the freezer and top off ice cube molds with water. Return to freezer for 8 more hours.
5. Remove from molds and enjoy!

Why They’re Good For You

I’m sure you know that water is one of the best things you can drink for your health. Not only does it refresh and rehydrate your body, but it helps to flush toxins out of it as well. 

When it comes to making herbal ice cubes, specifically those with rosemary and lemon, you’re boosting the look and taste of your water, but you’re also boosting the health content of your water as well. 

Lemon has been used for years to aid the body in many ways. Not only does it help you to lose weight, but it stimulates the digestive process and makes the process of eliminating wastes easier. Not only that, but it contains calcium, potassium, vitamin C, pectin fiber, and traces of iron and vitamin A so it’s nutritious as well. Plus, it has other medicinal and anti-bacterial properties too. 

Rosemary is also a great additive to water. It works to warm and stimulate the body while at the same time nourishing and building as well. Rosemary is known as a tonic herb that stimulates blood flow to the brain. This not only aids in better memory but a better mood. It also has medicinal actions on the heart and blood vessels as well as uplifting the nervous system. It’s considered slightly bitter and aids in digestive function which makes it work well in combination with lemon. Lastly, it acts as a great anti-microbial to deter bacteria and viruses.

You can’t seem to go wrong with adding rosemary and lemon to your water! 

10 Ways To Use Herbal Ice Cubes

Now when it comes to making and using herbal ice cubes, there are two ways you can make them. For looks and flavor or for medicinal use.

If you’re using them for looks and flavor, simply follow the step-by-step directions above, but if you want to use them for medicinal use you’ll want to make a tea with your herbs first and freeze the tea in the ice cube molds.

TIP: If you need to make lots of herbal ice cubes for a party or get-together start preparing a few days ahead. Simply make a batch of herbal ice cubes, pop them out when they’re ready, and transfer them to a ziplock baggie while the next batch freezes. When it’s time for your party, you’ll be all set with lots of herbal ice cubes to use throughout the night!

Listed below are some ways to use herbal ice cubes both for looks and medicinally.

1. Dress up glasses of water 
2. Blend with fruit and yogurt in a smoothie
3. Keep drinks or tubs of homemade ice cream cool (and festive) at summer cookouts (colorful citrus fruits are perfect: orange, grapefruit, lime, and lemon)
4. Give to your (older) kids on hot summer days in place of popsicles (frozen fruits work well here like those pictured above)
5. Add to glass vases of freshly picked flowers right before dinner guests arrive
6. Make sweetened hibiscus ice cubes and blend them into ice slushies for a sweet treat
7. Add to mocktails (or cocktails) for extra flavor
8. Grind citrus ice cubes in your garbage disposal to refresh your kitchen
9. Rub over sunburned skin (aloe juice, comfrey, and peppermint-infused ice cubes)
10. Get a head start on colds by adding lemon ice cubes to hot ginger tea

Have you made herbal ice cubes before? If so, how have you used them?