Buying guide
Ice Buckets and Wine Coolers for Christmas Entertaining
A bucket of ice and water chills a bottle far faster than the fridge. What size, which material, and whether a double-walled cooler is better.
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When the fridge is full of Christmas food, an ice bucket becomes the drinks fridge. It also keeps fizz cold at the table.
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Types
| Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Classic open bucket | Chilling quickly with ice and water |
| Double-walled cooler | Keeping an already-cold bottle cold without ice |
| Large party tub | Several bottles and cans |
Chilling fast
Fill with ice and add cold water: the water surrounds the bottle completely, so it chills much faster than ice alone. A handful of salt speeds it up further.
What to check
- Height: tall enough to cover most of a wine bottle.
- Handles for carrying when full.
- Insulated or stainless steel for less condensation on the table.
Pair with wine glasses and a decanter for the Christmas table.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to chill wine in an ice bucket?
Much quicker with ice and water than ice alone; a room-temperature bottle chills in roughly 15–20 minutes.
Why add water to an ice bucket?
Water surrounds the bottle and transfers the cold far better than lumps of ice touching it in a few places.
What is a double-walled wine cooler for?
Keeping an already-chilled bottle cold at the table, without ice or drips.
How we choose
BeneRecipes compares tools using manufacturer specifications and retailer listings. We have not tested these products ourselves and don't publish star ratings. We explain which type suits which cook and why.
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