The Best Frozen Vodka Cranberry

I love it when I can surprise our guests at our Christmas party. Every year, my frozen vodka cranberry creates a lot of excitement!

I love freezing ice blocks around vodka bottles. Vodka doesn’t freeze, and these look so pretty, so they are perfect for serving flavored vodka over the holidays. The cocktails taste wonderful, and the presentation is so festive! Cold vodka cranberry also makes the best vodka cocktails.

The History of Our Annual Holiday Party

First, let me share a bit about the history of our annual holiday party. Thirty-nine years ago, when Dave and I were married, we hosted our first Christmas party. At that time, we invited about forty people, and I decorated our home and cooked all of the food.

Fast forward thirty-nine years, and we now invite over 200 people to our Christmas party, and I am still decorating our home and cooking all of the food. We always have a full bar, and I have been serving these frozen cranberry vodka bottles for at least 30 years.

Occasionally, we host a New Year’s party because we are so close to the Rose Bowl and parade (especially when Stanford plays in the Rose Bowl). Needless to say, frozen vodka cranberry is always on hand at our parties.

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A Fun Party Idea

In 1982, Martha Stewart released her first “Entertaining Book” which changed my life. Now I realize many of you who are reading this weren’t even born in 1982, but trust me, it was the most beautiful and creative book I had ever seen.

And just so you know, she republished the book Entertaining this year!

One of my favorite ideas she had in the book was freezing vodka in milk cartons. And since her book was published 43 years ago, the idea is practically vintage, right?

Ok. Maybe not.

For the last thirty-plus years, I have served frozen vodka cranberry at our holiday party, exactly like Martha taught me in her book “Entertaining”. It’s so great for vodka cocktails. I am thrilled to pass her idea on to you.

Did you know that in 2011, Martha released another book titled Martha Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations?

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How to Make Frozen Vodka Cranberry

I always make frozen vodka cranberries at least two nights before our party. It only takes about ten minutes to make, and then you leave it in the freezer until you are ready to set up the bar at your party.

To start, you only need a few things. If you are smart, you will buy milk cartons early and save them when they are empty. Usually, I forget to save them and buy the cheapest drink in a carton at the grocery store. That’s because I end up throwing out the contents!

Hence, I am using Fruit Punch cartons.

First, cut the top off the carton and wash it with dish soap and water.

Next, insert the vodka bottle and add anything you want around its outside edge.

What type of vodka do I use? Every year, I mix it up. But my favorites are Tito’s Vodka, Truly Vodka, Grey Goose Vodka, Ketel One Vodka, Absolut Vodka, Effen Vodka, and Stoli Vodka. I especially like the flavored vodkas.

I usually use fresh pine or eucalyptus, cranberries, lemon or lime slices, and/or poinsettia leaves for decoration.

Since I make multiple frozen vodkas, I often use flavored vodka and add lemon or orange slices to match the flavor.

In the photo below, you can see I used fresh cranberries and fresh pine.

Next, fill the carton with tap water, leaving just enough almost to reach the top edge of the milk carton.

Make sure the vodka bottle is facing the front of the carton. Place in the freezer overnight.

I find it easiest to store them in the freezer door, as they seem to be the most secure and least likely to tip over.

Presentation of the Frozen Vodka Cranberry Bottles

Peel off the carton when you are ready to use it. Serve it with lots of fun mixers to make vodka cocktails.

Place in a pan or tray that has edges, because the ice will melt! Add greens to the pan/tray to disguise the water that will result from melted ice.

When ready to serve, tie a napkin around the base for easier handling. The napkins serve as a great buffer between the frozen ice and your hands!

We serve vodka with tonic, club soda, ginger beer, and all the ingredients for vodka cocktails. It’s such a festive display, and I love it.

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