See how to make an ice bowl to include in your party ideas at home. It’s an easy but impressive presentation for cold foods like shrimp cocktail or ice cream. See directions, here.
This tutorial has been on my list of things to do for a long time, so I’m excited to finally release it today. I think you’ll love it. I’m going to show you how to make an ice bowl for any event, or to make any event special!
My favorite use for this is to serve this marinated shrimp cocktail recipe in. It keeps the shrimp cold during the party and it looks so chic. You can see how great it looks on my bar cart bubbly bar.
I showed you how to make this great ice bottle cooler a few years ago. Thanks to Pinterest, it’s become very popular. It’s just as easy to make this ice bowl, which looks great on a buffet or at each place setting.
A beautiful ice bowl makes a fantastic centerpiece for serving chilled shrimp cocktail at your next party. The elegance and novelty of this bowl is sure to wow your guests. While it may seem complex, an ice bowl is actually pretty easy to make at home with minimal equipment. I’ll walk you through the simple steps so you can have a gorgeous presentation for shrimp cocktail on your table.
Why Make an Ice Bowl?
Serving shrimp cocktail in an ordinary bowl is fine, but it lacks flair. An ice bowl immediately dresses up this classic appetizer and makes it an elegant focal point. The transparent ice shows off the colors of the shrimp, lemons, and greens attractively. It keeps everything chilled for optimal enjoyment too.
An ice bowl is far simpler to create than you may think. Many materials can be used, but all you truly need are two nesting bowls plus water and a freezer. Even beginner DIYers can accomplish this project with my guidance. The bowl lasts for hours during a party before melting much at all.
Beyond shrimp cocktail, an ice bowl can present all types of cold seafood appetizers like crab and lobster impressively. You could also fill it with crushed ice and bottled beers to keep drinks frosty outside. The uses are many for this stellar serving piece.
Select the Right Bowls
The most important step is choosing appropriate bowls. You’ll need two bowls that fit together with one smaller than the other. We’ll call them the outer bowl and inner bowl.
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The bowls must be waterproof and freezer safe. Metal, glass, or heavy plastic bowls work well. I prefer stainless steel for durability.
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Glass bowls may crack from temperature changes. Avoid very thin plastic too.
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Make sure the smaller bowl can nestle inside the larger with ample space for water between.
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Pick a bowl set with at least a 2-3 quart outer bowl and 1-2 quart inner bowl for good shrimp capacity.
Ideally, opt for a bowl set made specifically for ice bowls. These have flat bottoms that detach easily when frozen. Round bowls work fine too with some tricks I’ll share later for easy removal.
Prepare the Bowls
With your bowls selected, it’s time to start the assembly:
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Place the smaller bowl inside the larger bowl. Center it as much as possible.
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To prevent the inner bowl from floating once water is added, weigh it down Place a few ice cubes or a sealed can of food inside the smaller bowl
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Wrap plastic freezer tape around the rims to seal them together. Make sure the tape adheres to both smoothly
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Fill the outer bowl with cold water about 2 inches up the sides, Avoid pouring water into the small bowl,
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Carefully move the bowls to a flat spot in your freezer. The water will expand as it freezes, so leave space.
Freeze and Unmold
Now comes the fun part – freezing and unmolding to reveal your ice bowl!
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Let the bowl freeze undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Longer is even better for thicker ice.
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To check if fully frozen, shake gently. If you don’t hear water sloshing, it’s ready.
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When frozen, remove the weights and tape. Warm the inner bowl by filling with warm water.
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After a minute, gently lift out the inner bowl. Then loosen the outer ice bowl and invert onto a tray.
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Don’t force it! If stuck, let thaw another minute or two. The bowl should slide off cleanly.
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Fill any cracks with crushed ice and return to the freezer until serving to keep solid.
Fill with Shrimp Cocktail
Your stunning ice bowl is ready for shrimp! Arrange peeled, chilled shrimp inside attractively. Consider adding:
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Lemon and lime slices or wheels along the sides
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Fresh herb sprigs like dill, parsley, or cilantro for pops of color
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Thinly sliced cucumbers around the rim for a splash of green
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A small cup of cocktail sauce in the center for drizzling
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Crushed ice to fill gaps if needed
Make sure everything touches the ice to stay coldest. Then invite guests to dig into the shrimp by the icy handfuls!
Handy Tips for Success
Creating your first ice bowl is a learning process. Follow these tips if you encounter any problems:
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Distilled water makes crystal clear ice. Tap water works but may cloud it.
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Letting the filled bowl rest in the freezer a few hours before fully freezing helps prevent cracks.
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If the bowl base sticks, don’t force it. Simply thaw a few more minutes.
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If the shrimp stick, rub the bowl interior with a lemon slice or lettuce leaves.
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Work swiftly once unmolded so the bowl doesn’t start melting before serving.
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Embrace imperfections! Cracks add character and won’t affect the presentation much.
Creative Ice Bowl Variations
While designed with shrimp cocktail in mind, an ice bowl has many other potential uses:
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Display bites of lobster, crab, oysters, ceviche, or poke for seafood parties.
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Fill with garnishes to serve as a base for an ice sculpture.
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Use as a cooler by adding drinks in cans or bottles.
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Serve fruit salad or cold soups for light summer meals.
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Present cupcakes, truffles, or candy for whimsical desserts.
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Hold wine, champagne, or beer bottles upright at bars.
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Freeze edible flowers, herbs, citrus slices, or other objects inside for decoration.
Ice Bowl FAQs
If you’re tackling your first ice bowl, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to the most common queries:
How long does it take to freeze?
At least 24 hours is best, or 48 hours for very thick ice. Check frequently after the first 12 hours.
Can I unmold quickly for last minute use?
It’s not recommended. Rushing the process risks cracking the bowl. Thaw completely instead of unmolding partially frozen.
Do certain fruits or objects freeze better than others?
Soft herbs, edible flowers, citrus slices, cranberries, and grapes freeze nicely. Avoid freezing large chunks that may distort the ice too much.
How long will the ice bowl last at room temperature?
It depends on factors like room temp and humidity, but should last at least 2-3 hours before melting significantly. Crushed ice helps preserve it.
Can I reuse the bowl for multiple parties?
Absolutely! Wash thoroughly and refreeze. The bowl may start to cloud after a few uses but still functions the same.
What if my bowl gets cracks?
Small cracks are purely cosmetic and won’t affect integrity. To limit cracks, freeze slowly and unmold patiently. Cracks happen though, so don’t stress!
Make a Showstopper Ice Bowl for Your Next Soiree
Adding an ice bowl to your spread makes an ordinary shrimp cocktail dish into an extravagant culinary centerpiece. The transparent bowl keeps seafood chilled while allowing colors and garnishes to shine. And it can transition to serve other cold treats once the appetizer course finishes. With my tips, you can easily craft a gorgeous ice bowl worthy of any upscale party or cocktail hour using items likely already in your kitchen. Give it a try for your next event!
Important tips for using an ice bowl
- Serving shrimp cocktail at a party is my favorite way to use the ice bowl. The shrimp stays nice and cold, and if it’s going to be out for a long time, you can line the bowl with lettuce leaves to keep the shrimp from getting wet.
- Put the ice bowl in a shallow dish so that the water that melts can catch it. Line the dish with a napkin or towel, like in the pictures, to keep it from moving around and to soak up some of the water.
- Experiment with size. Make one big ice bowl for a buffet if you have bigger bowls that fit inside each other. To make individual servings, use smaller bowls that nest inside each other, like I did. You can make more than one of these because you can make them ahead of time. Just give each bowl about 24 hours.
- These also make great bowls for serving ice cream scoops!
What do you think? Is this something you’d like to try? I guarantee your guests will be impressed!