Imagine this: the bartender is concocting the drink of your dreams, let’s assume it to be an Old Fashioned, and you’re patiently waiting for it to arrive. When the bartender serves you the drink, you realize that it has no ice and is quite lukewarm. Would you really like that?
Ice can make or break your drink, yet remains an underrated component of your drink. However, worry not! We’re here to help you understand all the different kinds of ice used in cocktails and how you can create ice.
Different Types Of Ice
Standard 1×1-inch Cubes
This type of ice is the most common and most popular and we bet you must’ve seen it in countless drinks. They’re also known as all-purpose ice cubes as they are great in shaking and stirring the drink too.
The standard 1×1-inch ice cubes provide measured dilution and fit almost any glass. Before you pour these cubes into the glass, make sure that at least ⅔ of the glass is filled with the drink. You can make these standard ice cubes at home using a plastic or silicone ice cube tray.
2×2-inch Cubes
The ice cube that you see in drinks like the Negroni or the Old Fashioned is usually a 2×2-inch cube. These cubes last longer in a drink than the standard ice cubes, meaning that they keep the drink ice-cold for a longer duration of time. These ice cubes look more elegant in a drink and reduce your drink dilution which would happen faster with 1×1 cubes.
Crushed Ice
You must’ve seen crushed ice in your summer slushies, but have you seen them in your alcoholic drinks? Crushed ice helps make drinks like the Mint Julep or a Frozen Daiquiri that have a slushie-like consistency. It can’t be used to shake or stir a drink as the crushed ice, with its higher surface area, will over-dilute the drink. However, if you wish to make it at home, you can do so by buying a crushed ice machine or by simply crushing the ice in a plastic or cloth bag with an ice mallet or rolling pin.
Ice Spheres
This kind of ice has a low surface area to volume ratio, meaning it will take longer to dilute a drink. Also, ice spheres can elevate the visual appeal of a drink, thanks to their unique, round shape. Ice spheres are great when you want to enjoy your drink for a longer period. Though Japanese bartending involves hand-crafting these delicate ice spheres, you can make them at home using readily available moulds.
Collins Spears
This kind of ice is usually 1×5-inches in size and fit into a Collins glass perfectly. Apart from the striking visual appeal, they have a higher surface area, meaning that they’ll take longer to melt in your drink. Many drinks such as a Mojito or a Gin and Tonic use this block-shaped ice to enhance the visual appeal and the taste of the drink. You can get ice trays for making Collins Spears online, but also ensure that you have a glass tall enough for the ice block to fit in.
Why Ice Is Important In Drinks
Adds Visual Appeal
Ice undeniably changes the way cocktails look. The way ice cubes are placed in a drink or the way shaved ice is topped off on the salted rim of a Frozen Daiquiri can truly make the drink stand out. While taste is important, it is our eyes that consume the drink first based on its visual appeal.
Enhances Flavor
You might say that ice doesn’t have its flavor, but it does enhance the overall flavor of the drink. As the ice dilutes in a drink, it combines with the ingredients and this dilution can bring out flavors that would otherwise go unnoticed. Many drinks contain liquor that is too strong to drink in the beginning, but as the ice dilutes the drink, it becomes more palatable.
Maintains Temperature
Some drinks like a Negroni or a Gin and Tonic are best served chilled, and most other drinks also taste better when chilled. Ice helps in maintaining the temperature of a drink. The drink wouldn’t taste the same as it would with ice. Even when ice is used to shake or stir a drink, it can elevate the overall experience. While some drinks are consumed at room temperature, most drinks just taste better when ice enters the room!
Also Read: Beginner’s Guide to Making Cocktails at Home: Essential Tips and Tricks
Summing Up
Ice is an ingredient that often gets overlooked but the right kind of ice can change your cocktail game completely. Be it all-purpose ice cubes, ice spheres, or crushed ice, these different types of ice add their unique flair and flavor and enhance the feel of the cocktail.
FAQs
What Kind Of Ice Do You Use In A Cocktail Shaker?
It is best recommended to use standard ice cubes or refrigerated ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Since they are perfect for chilling the drink without over-diluting it.
How To Make Ice Last Longer In Drinks?
How long the ice will last in a drink is dependent on the surface area to volume ratio of the ice. Higher the ratio, the longer the ice will last in the drink. This is why ice spheres and Collins Spears last longer in a drink.
What Is The Best Water For Cocktail Ice?
To make good quality ice, it is recommended to use distilled water instead of the usual tap water. It is so because the latter may contain impurities. However, if making ice at home, you can boil the tap water, cool it, and then freeze it to make good quality ice cubes.
