Festive Orange Cranberry & Rosemary Ice Cubes

Ingredients

• • 1 ⅞ cup fresh cranberries
• • 4 ⅞ fresh rosemary sprigs
• • 2 ⅞ medium oranges, thinly sliced
• • 2 ⅞ cups water
• • 1 ⅞ tablespoon granulated sugar (optional for sweetness)
• • 1 ⅞ teaspoon lemon juice (to preserve color)
• • 1 ⅞ cup ice cubes (for pre-chilling trays)
• • 1 ⅞ small bowl for mixing
• • 1 fine-mesh strainer
• • 1 ⅞ small saucepan (optional for boiling water)

Instructions

1. 1

   Wash cranberries thoroughly in cold water and pat dry. Slice oranges into ¼-inch thick rounds. Strip rosemary leaves from stems, if desired, or use whole sprigs for stronger flavor.

2. 2

   Fill ice cube trays halfway with ice cubes and water to chill them. This prevents water from expanding and cracking the trays during freezing.

3. 3

   In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, and lemon juice. Heat gently until sugar dissolves (optional). Let cool completely before using.

4. 4

   Place 2-3 cranberries and ½ a rosemary sprig in each pre-chilled ice cube cavity. Add orange slices to alternate cubes. Pour infused water (or plain water) to fill trays, leaving ¼ inch space at the top.

5. 5

   Place trays in freezer for 6-8 hours until fully frozen. Transfer ice cubes to airtight containers for up to 3 months storage.