No matter what the temperature outside may be, it’s always important to keep drinks best served cold on ice.
While spritzy, bubbly drinks are certainly a summertime staple, there are no rules about when and where one should enjoy an opulent champagne tipple, an extra-dry glass of rosé or an ice-cold beer. As such, ice buckets make for a worthy investment in your home accessory arsenal, especially if you consider yourself to be a regular host with the most.
Recently, sink ice buckets have been going viral as an alternative to the traditional, chalice-shaped silverware.
Though impressive, chic and innovative, they remain a low-brow substitute for classic ice buckets which immediately bring a sense of luxury to any gathering - whether it be indoors or outdoors. When it comes to hosting al-fresco, however, a high-quality, durable and insulated ice bucket becomes a non-negotiable.
Like owning a full set of dinnerware crafted from fine china (dessert plates included) or having separate glasses for red and white wine, the ice bucket is one of many household objects which represent the zenith of homemaking sophistication. But why not just use the fridge, we hear you ask?
Nothing disrupts the flow of a beautiful dinner party than the host constantly getting up and down to retrieve adequately cold beverages from the fridge. Likewise, nothing ruins a meal quite like lukewarm wine which is supposed to be chilled.
We’ve curated a selection of the best ice buckets on the market to elevate your hosting skills.
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TerraDidon Ice Bucket in Hammered Copper
Complete with hammered copper rings for a palatial aesthetic, this extra-large, handmade ice bucket by Terra Didion makes for a beautiful and functional statement home accessory.
Buy now £135.57, Etsy
Vintage Silver Ice Bucket
This gorgeous fluted ice bucket, a vintage silver service treasure sourced in France, features intricate bevelled line detailing and a unique geometric handle.
Buy now £66.00, The Go-To
Rothermel Zinc "The bar is open" Ice Bucket
Equipped with a heavy-duty bottle opener, this zinc-plated ice bucket is a hefty piece of kit which is perfect for hosts with the most. It’s also available with a brushed pewter-effect finish.
Buy now £45.40, Wayfair
Yeti Rambler 7.6L Beverage Bucket
Available in an array of fabulous colours and a minimalist, stainless steel option, the Rambler Beverage Bucket by Yeti is a must-have for summertime soirées. It’s a heavy-duty, durable piece of kit which is part of Yeti’s beloved Rambler range and is big enough to house an impressive six-pack of beer or three bottles of wine. The signature double-walled insulation will keep drinks cool long into the night.
Buy now £150.00, Selfridges
Culinary Concepts Champagne Bath
Chic, sleek and complete with durable leather handles, this lovely champagne bath has the option for engraving, making it a beautiful gift to celebrate any occasion. Crafted from polished and hammered nickel, it’s sure to elevate your summer gatherings tenfold.
Buy now £225.00, Farrar & Tanner
Vaisselle Ice Ice Baby Bottle Cooler
Perfect for smaller households, this single-bottle cooler can be filled with ice for a gorgeous and utilitarian tablescaping addition. Crafted from white clay with a glorious jade colourway, this is a handwash-only accessory.
Buy now £175.00, Liberty
Mackenzie Childs Courtly Check 3260 Ice Bucket
Longtime purveyors of whimsical, fairytale-inspired home accessories, we simply adore Mackenzie Childs’ classic courtly check design. Crafted from stainless steel with an enamel coating, it can be paired with the matching Mackenzie Childs ice scoop.
Buy now £144.00, David Shuttle
Vintage Ceramic Champagne Cooler
This simultaneously heavy-duty and remarkably delicate vintage ceramic champagne cooler immediately evokes a feeling of English summertime. Dating back to the 1950s, it’s covered in traditional blue and white pastoral scenes.
Buy now £710.00, Vinterior
Fortnum’s Champagne Bucket
Realised in Fortnum’s classic Eu de Nil hue, this ice bucket will bring a touch of elegance to all of your summertime parties. Fitted with stylish beechwood handles for fuss-free portability, it’s a spacious option designed to fit up to five bottles of bubbly for ice-cold tipples all night long.
Buy now £75.00, Fortnum & Mason
Footed Antique Brass Wine Cooler
For classic courtly opulence, look no further than Cox & Cox’s footed antique brass wine cooler. While ice buckets are traditionally finished in silver, this warm-toned burnished brass goblet-style accessory makes for a highly unique accessory fit for an eclectic home.
Buy now £225.00, Cox & Cox
Ammonite Wine Cooler
Fit for disciples of Aphrodite, this stunning single-bottle cooler features an intricate conch shell design. Sweetpea & Willow also offers white glove delivery which includes delivery to your room of choice, removal of packaging and assembly if required.
Buy now £85.00, Sweetpea & Willow
Extra Large Antique Brass Party Bucket On Stand
Made from aluminium with an antique brass finish, this spacious ice bucket is a party saviour. We love the fact that it comes complete with a stand for added stability.
Buy now £238.00, Hester & Cook
