This Ice Rocks!

Kick back and chill…it’s summer. Not just any summer in any city…this is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame city and you need to chill in style.

Picture this: I’m in a store, leisurely browsing, when I happen upon this ice cube tray set (“Cool Jazz” on the packaging). It has grooves (no pun intended!) for three guitars, each with its own guitar neck stir stick in assorted colors. As if that weren’t enough, there are two mini musical notes that could become ice as well.

“This ice rocks!” I shout out, as my companion and others in the store slowly ease away from me.

Fun and functional, I had to add this to my ice cube tray collection (which consists of two trays of square cube shapes, one of which has a cover). Now I’m ready to drop one of these frozen groovy guitars into my drink, give it a stir, and let the good times roll. (Did I mention that, if you’re shy, these stir sticks serve as a real ice breaker?!)

But wait…you can’t give new meaning to “on the rocks” without some drinks to get your groove going. Here are a few to mix, sip and stir.

Summertime Fizz

10 to 12 fresh blueberries plus additional for garnish
3/4 ounce raspberry syrup
1 1/2 ounce gin
1/2 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
soda water

Muddle the blueberries and raspberry syrup in a bar glass and then add ice. Combine the gin, Cointreau and lemon juice in the bar glass. Shake vigorously and strain into a tall glass filled with a few chips of crushed ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a few fresh blueberries and an ice guitar. Serves 1.

Designated Driver Strawberry Cooler

2 cups chilled orange juice
1 1/2 cups hulled strawberries, halved
1 to 2 Tablespoons superfine or granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups ginger ale, cold

In a blender, combine the orange juice, strawberries and sugar until berries are pureed.

Place the berry puree in a large pitcher. Add ginger ale, stirring to combine. Serve in a tall glass with an ice guitar and a few fresh strawberry pieces for garnish. Serves 4.

Check with your favorite local retailers to see if they already have or can order this Cool Jazz Ice Cube Tray for you. It’s by Fred and Friends. www.fredandfriends.com

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author, and culinary instructor.
She can be reached through her website www.bevshaffer.com.