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Thanksgiving Tip: Refill Your Ice Trays

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:50:35 -0800

Before a party or a big feast like Thanksgiving, there are a couple of minor - yet impactful - things I always make sure to do. One is to empty the dishwasher; another is to refill my ice trays completely with fresh water. There's nothing more annoying than reaching for ice to go with water, punch, or cocktails, only to find that there's one cube left.

Add a note to your Thanksgiving planner: The morning of the big dinner, fill your trays with distilled water, which will prevent ice from appearing cloudy in the center. When guests arrive, you'll be able to serve them drinks with a just-made batch of ice. What little tasks help you stay on top of all the Thanksgiving mania?

5 Fabulous Gifts For the Do-It-Herself Hostess

partysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:50:27 -0800

She's the girl who makes snake cakes in her sleep. The gal who sends twenty-five handmade birthday invitations to a four course sit-down dinner that she cooks. She's already obsessing about her Thanksgiving menu and testing out Christmas cocktails. You know who I'm talking about, she's the hostess who does it all and she's giving Martha Stewart a run for her money. Always on top of things, this fun-loving gal is easy to shop for. Here are my holiday gifting suggestions for the party-princess in your life.

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Burning Question: Why Are Ice Cubes Cloudy in the Center?

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:00:09 -0700

When I pulled out the ice tray to make a whiskey lemonade over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice that the ice had a cloudy white spot in the middle of it. This prompted me to ask: why is it that some ice I buy at the store is crystal-clear, but the frozen cubes at home in my freezer appear murky and white in the center?

Ice cubes develop cloudiness when water is frozen quickly. As ice begins developing on the surface of water, certain gases can no longer remain dissolved and begin to surface as microscopic bubbles. An already-developed outer layer of ice traps all the bubbles inside the frozen cube. Another reason for the white color may be traces of calcium carbonate or impurities, which are small and flaky in appearance but are completely harmless.

Ice makers are able to achieve a clear, see-through effect by distilling water, then freezing it in stages, and by using a mechanism that allows bubbles to be washed away as ice cubes develop.

Got a burning question? Contact us.

Happy Hour: Save the Ice Until Last

partysugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:00:44 -0700

Earlier this week I learned a great tip from one of San Francisco's best bartenders, Marco Dionysus of Clock Bar. We were chatting about the proper way to build a drink in a cocktail shaker.

His advice is something of a no-brainer, but definitely worth mentioning: when it comes to making any drink, from a mojito to a martini, always place the ice in the shaker last. Adding the ice before you incorporate the other ingredients can severely dilute a drink. Within the time it takes to walk to your liquor cabinet and grab the vodka, the ice is already melting in the cocktail shaker. It makes perfect sense, and I hate to say it, but I've been sipping diluted drinks for years!

Do you always save the ice for last?

Source

Off to Market Recap: Ice Bucket

partysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:00:58 -0700

An ice bucket is essential to any home bar. Since I'm trying to make my bar perfectly party ready, I've decided to invest in one. You helped me by heading off to market in search of a functional yet stylish ice bucket. You bookmarked your ice bucket finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Ice Bucket. Pink is my favorite color, so naturally I love this raspberry-hued ice bucket that sofi saved. This easy-to-clean bucket is ideal for Summer entertaining. Divine discovery, sofi! To look at the entire collection, scroll below.

Off to Market: Ice Bucket

partysugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:00:37 -0700

An ice bucket is essential to any home bar. Since I'm trying to make my bar perfectly party ready, I've decided to invest in one. Let's head off to market in search of a functional yet stylish ice bucket. Look for an ice bucket with tongs that can double as a wine cooler. Bookmark your ice bucket finds in the the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Ice Bucket. I can't wait to check out all of your cool discoveries!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature, please read GeekSugar's explanation.
Don't know where to start searching? Check out a list of my favorite online stores when you read more.

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Frozen Smiles Ice Cube: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:00:18 -0700

While I was browsing online the other day, I came across this Frozen Smiles ice cube tray, which molds ice into dentures. It had me in stitches, and I think it would be a hilarious prank to pull on a friend. Do you agree, or does this ice cube tray gross you out?

Off to Market Recap: Ice Cube Trays

partysugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:30:58 -0700

The Summer is heating up and there is no better way to cool down than with a refreshing, cold drink. Although my fridge is a newer model, it doesn't have a built in ice maker: I have to use ice cube trays to make ice. Currently I have only two trays which is problematic for entertaining, so I asked you to help me expand my collection of ice cube trays. You looked for all types of ice cube trays in fun colors and shapes. You saved your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Ice Cube Trays.

How cool are these synthetic rubber ice cube trays by Ikea? MsMO likes the long tray because she uses the skinny cubes in water bottles. However, I love her recommendation for the Fourth of July: she thinks the stars cubes would be fun in cocktails! Browse more trays below.

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Off to Market: Ice Cube Trays

partysugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:30:57 -0700

The Summer is heating up and there is no better way to cool down than with a refreshing, cold drink. Although my fridge is a newer model, it doesn't have a built in icemaker. To make ice, I use ice cube trays. Currently I only have two trays, which is problematic for entertaining.

Can you help me expand my collection of ice cube trays? Look for all types of ice cube trays in fun colors and shapes. Save your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Ice Cube Trays. I appreciate your help!

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Find out where I like to shop online for food and entertaining accessories when you read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Keep Your Cool With These Icy Finds

YumSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:00:24 -0700

Lately, every kitchen catalog I receive insists on reminding me that Summer is just around the corner. One of the trends that's catching my eye is the use of ice. It seems that nothing cools down Summer like a few ice cubes. In fact there are so many icy items, I was able to compile a list for your browsing enjoyment. There were trays of appetizers on ice, salads on ice, and even martini glasses nestled in ice ($29.95). To discover all of my cool-as-ice finds, just scroll through below.

Condiments On Ice - $24.99	Salad on Ice - $19.99
Appetizers On Ice - $29.99	Wine Enthusiast Set of 2 Martini Chillers - $29.95
Caviar Server - $29.95	Waring Ice Maker - $399.95
Cool Shooters Ice Tray - $7.95	Star Ice Pop Molds - $14.95
Hamilton Beach® Icy Treats Maker - $24.99	Slush-Ease Home Slushee Maker - $49.99
Cool Jewels Ice Cube Tray - $7.00	Yamazaki "Signature" Double Wall Ice Bucket - $55.00
Entertain with Style 8 Piece Vodka Set - $29.99	Italian Kufra Pitcher with Ice Container - $9.95
DuraClear® Icing Pitcher - $45.00	Magppie - tor ice bucket by karim rashid for magppie - $181.00
Stainless Steel Insulated Oval Wine/Ice Bucket - $79.99	Party Ice Luge - $19.99
Insulated Ice Buckets - $19.99	Ice Kabobs - $8.00
OXO Steel Ice Bucket with Tongs - $49.95	Jumbo Acrylic Ice Bucket - $19.99
Kim Seybert Ice Scoop- Black - $35.00	Kim Seybert Croco Ice Bucket & Tongs - $150.00