Beautiful DIY Ice bucket on wooden bench decorated for Christmas.

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Learn how to create stunning chic floral party buckets with this easy DIY ice bucket tutorial. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any gathering.

Floral Ice Bucket

Forget boring ice buckets!

Let’s get creative and add a personal touch to your next party experience.

These DIY ice buckets are like a secret garden for your drinks, complete with fragrant blooms and zesty orange slices.

Get ready to wow your guests with these charming creations!

Gorgeous DIY Ice Bucket displayed on table at Christmas time.

What is a Floral Frozen Ice Bucket?

Can you make a DIY ice bucket?

Picture this: your guests reaching for a refreshing beverage, only to find it nestled in a beautiful frozen ice bucket adorned with vibrant blooms?

A floral ice bucket transforms a simple function into a party experience, adding a personal touch and creating a stunning centerpiece for your gathering.

DIY ice buckets also make wonderful hostess gifts, especially during the holidays!

DIY Ice Bucket Step-by-Step Guide

What You Will Need:

  • A milk or juice carton (I used an orange juice container for today’s ice bucket).
  • Favorite beverage in a bottle.
  • Tap water
  • Evergreens, cut flowers, fruits, berries, etc., for your favorite color scheme.
  • Scissors to cut the carton.
  • A freezer to freeze the ice bucket.
Orange juice carton, alcohol florals and oranges for DIY Ice Bucket.
Is it easy to make a frozen ice bucket?

Yes, making an ice bucket is quite simple. Here is my step-by-step guide to get you started:

Step 1: DIY Ice Bucket

Cut the top of your carton off with scissors like I have done here.

Orange Juice carton for DIY Ice Bucket project with top cut off.

Step 2: DIY Ice Bucket

Place your favorite bottled beverage into the center of the carton.

Bottle of vodka placed inside orange container for a DIY ice bucket.
Ice candle in snow on porch front step.

Pro Tip

You may also find inspiration in this Ice Candles How to DIY Winter Lanterns Tutorial post.

Step 3: DIY Ice Bucket

Next, fill your carton with warm water about 3/4 of the way full.

Step 4: DIY Ice Bucket

Add your flowers or fruits of choice into the water in the carton surrounding the bottle. Lemon slices are always a nice touch.

Bottle of alcohol in cut carton with berries and water.

Step 5: Freeze Your DIY Ice Bucket

Once you have added your fruit, it’s time to freeze your DIY ice bucket.

You will want to freeze it for at least 12 hours.

Be sure you have room in your freezer so the DIY ice bucket can stand tall and upright, creating a nice straight ice mold.

Bottle of alcohol in cart of berries and water in freezer.

Step 6: DIY Ice Bucket

Once your ice bucket is frozen and ready to present, remove it from the freezer and peel off the carton, and you will have a stunning DIY ice bucket for all your entertaining needs.

It is super simple, and it will be the envy of all your party guests.

Gorgeous DIY Ice Bucket displayed on table at Christmas time.

I have enjoyed making these floral ice buckets and bringing them to parties with me as hostess gifts. They are always a huge hit!

You can also make a large bucket or smaller bucket based on the various carton options you choose to create your ice bucket mold with.

Vintage Bar Styling Inspiration to Copy Now

Pro Tip

You may also find inspiration in this Vintage Bars: 10 Designs to Copy Now post.

Party Experience

Elevate your next gathering with these fun and festive ways to incorporate your own DIY ice buckets into the party experience!

Beautiful DIY Ice bucket on wooden bench decorated for Christmas.

Theming is Key

  • Tropical Paradise: Use bright, tropical flowers like hibiscus, orchids, and plumeria. Add some palm leaves and garnish drinks with fresh pineapple chunks.
  • Rustic Charm: Incorporate wildflowers, herbs like rosemary, and sprigs of eucalyptus.
  • Elegant Affair: Opt for classic roses, peonies, or hydrangeas. Add some greenery like ivy or ferns for a touch of elegance.
Lovely DIY Ice Bucket displayed beautifully with candles, and vintage glassware for the holidays.
Vintage blue Jeanette barware on antique bar cart as side table in living room.

Pro Tip

You may also enjoy this Antique Bar Cart: 15 Eclectic Ways to Vintage Style post.

Interactive Elements

  • DIY Garnish Station: Set up a small table near the ice bucket with various garnishes like citrus slices (grapefruit, lime, lemon), berries, and herbs. Let your guests create their own unique cocktails.
  • Signature Cocktail: Create a signature cocktail to serve from your floral ice bucket. This could be a themed cold drink that complements the floral arrangements.
Vintage wooden dresser displaying a gorgeous DIY Ice Bucket with vintage glassware for the holidays.

Placement Matters

  • Centerpiece: Place the ice bucket on a table as a stunning centerpiece for your next gathering.
  • Bar Cart: Incorporate your DIY ice bucket into your beverage cart for easy access and a stylish display.
  • Outdoor Oasis: Place the ice bucket on a patio table or near a seating area if you’re having an outdoor party.
  • Be sure to place your ice bucket on a plate, as the frozen bucket will begin to melt over time.
Vintage wood dresser as an beverage station with DIY ice bucket and vintage glassware.

Don’t Forget the Fun Part!

  • Photo Op: Encourage guests to take photos with the beautiful ice bucket. It’s a fun part of the party experience and a great way to capture memories.
  • Interactive Games: Incorporate your DIY ice bucket into a fun party game, such as a “guess the flower” contest or a “cocktail mixing competition.”


Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity shine!

These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a little imagination, you can create a truly unique and memorable party experience with your DIY ice buckets.

I hope these ideas inspire you to add a touch of floral elegance to your next gathering!

Small vintage outdoor beverage table for entertaining.

Pro Tip

You may also find inspiration in this Small Drink Beverage Table Accent post.

Limoncello DIY Ice Bucket

Here’s another DIY ice bucket I recently made using a bottle of Limoncello to bring to a holiday party.

For this ice bucket, I made the water level shorter in the container so it would be easier to serve by hand. I added four lemon slices and a few branches from our Christmas tree to keep the lemons from floating to the top.

Limoncello DIY Ice Bucket supplies on kitchen counter.
Limoncello in DIY ice bucket on Après Ski Theme Table on porch table.
Cedar Shakes house with Maine flag at front door with snowshoes and ice lanterns on snowy steps.

Pro Tip

You may also find inspiration in this Ice Lantern Kit: Deluxe DIY Winter Globe Luminaries post.

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DIY Ice Bucket: How to Make Chic Floral Party Buckets
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Ann | Dabbling & Decorating

Hi, I’m Ann! I’m a lifelong thrifter and vintage lover, decorating my homes in Maine and Vermont with antique, thrifted, and eclectic treasures. My passion? Helping you create a home filled with character, history, and charm—whether you’re deep in the heart of New England or halfway across the country. From the best thrift stores and flea markets to styling vintage finds in modern spaces, I’m here to inspire a cozy, collected, and timeless home—wherever you are.

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2 Comments

  1. Kim | Shiplap and Shells says:

    I love this idea, Ann! I’m curious about how long the ice bucket will stay frozen at a party. I see where you say to set on a plate but wondered if it would look good even after several hours.

    Reply

    1. Hi Kim, the ice bucket will easily last for the duration of a party but definitely put it on a plate or keep it in the refrigerator if you like. I just made the globe ice lanterns, which they say last up to 10 hours inside. But again, I would put them on something as they will melt a little.

      Reply