Summertime is such a fun time of year filled with outdoor activities and lots of sun. It’s easy to remember to apply sunscreen, but are you making sure you and your kiddos are drinking enough water? Maybe your kids love the taste of water, maybe they don’t but I bet you that in both cases if the water had a little flavor to it they would drink more. With this idea in mind, my kids and I made DIY fruit ice cubes.
The result was refreshing fruit infused water that is great for both kids and adults, and we had a lot of fun doing it together. My kiddos were totally into it, fascinated really like we were doing a science experiment at home, which was so adorable.
Let me walk you through how we made them. We started this recipe in our very own garden, which was so cool! My kids planted an herb garden for me for Mother’s Day, and they really enjoyed picking the basil. Next, we washed the fruit. I put it in a collander so they could watch a bunch at once. We had some leftover homemade lemonade from when we made our Berry Lemon Popsicles, which you can use as a recipe for lemonade if you have time. I did the fruit slicing, got out our measuring cup, and they did the rest…really!
Total Bonus!
Have you noticed that once your kids make a yummy recipe that they want to eat it right away? Totally natural, I know but hard when you’re making something that requires freezing. The clock ticks and they have to wait. I usually have a snack or activity planned to help with the waiting time, but in this fruit ice cubes recipe you have enough left over fruit that when the tray goes in the freezer, you have a fruit salad you can all enjoy right away!
Great for Mom’s Too
Many of my recipes are centered around kids, and while this was one we made together, it’s totally a recipe for grown ups too! The day after we made the fruit ice cubes was a big work day for me filled with deadlines. I found myself feeling stressed and needing a break in the afternoon, so I went to the freezer and poured some water with two of the fruit ice cubes in a cup and it reminded me of spa water. On the not frequent enough occasions I go to the spa for a massage (Ladies we really need to go more!), they always have this amazing fruit infused water. Getting to enjoy some of that same great tasting water at home brought back that sense of relaxation! So, I definitely recommend keeping some in your freezer at all times for the moments you need to relax.
Here’s the simple recipe. I hope it helps keep you hydrated, and you enjoy it as much as we do!
DIY Fruit Ice Cubes
DIY Fruit Ice Cubes
This recipe is naturally gluten free and vegan. It makes 12 ice cubes.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup lemonade
- 5 basil leaves
- 1 strawberry medium sized
- 4 raspberries
- 10 blueberries
- 1 orange
- 1 kiwi peeled
- 1 lemon
Instructions
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Slice your lemon, peeled kiwi, and orange horizontally, so you get a circular slice. Cut that slice into four pieces and set aside. Add the leftover fruit to a bowl to enjoy later.
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Wash and slice your strawberry. Each strawberry should make 4 slices, which you should cut in half to make 8.
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Wash your blueberries and raspberry and set aside.
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Pour your lemonade into a measuring cup that has a pour spout at the top.
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Take out your ice cube tray.
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Fill each of the first two cubes with 2 1/2 pieces of basil and 2 strawberry slices. Then fill to the top with lemonade.
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Fill each of the next two cubes with 2 blueberries and 2 raspberries. Then fill to the top with lemonade.
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Fill each of the next two cubes with two 1/4 slices of kiwi and 2 slices of strawberries. Fill to the top with lemonade.
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Now it's time for the water based ice cubes, so fill your measuring cup with water.
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Fill each of the next two cubes with 1/4 orange slice and 3 blueberries. Then, fill to the top with water.
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Fill each of the next two cubes with 1/4 lemon slice and one raspberry. Then, fill to the top with water.
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Fill each of the last two cubes with two 1/4 slices of kiwi and 1/4 orange slice. Then, fill to the top with water.
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Place in the freezer for 5 hours.
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Remove from freezer and add two ice cubes to a glass of water for a refreshing drink!
Jackie Olmstead
I posted on my FB page! Love your recipes!!! <3