The Secret to Next Level Cocktails

When it comes to crafting a truly excellent cocktail, one often overlooked but crucial element is ice. Ice not only chills your drink but also plays a vital role in presentation and creating a balanced flavor profile—most cocktail recipes assume a level of dilution that’s built into the drink, and ice provides just the right amount of dilution to bring out the flavors of your spirits. On the other hand, bad ice can ruin an otherwise beautifully executed cocktail, bringing unwanted freezer flavors into the mix. Consider the ice you use when shaking, stirring, and serving, and your drinks will shine.

The Basics

Great ice starts with clean water. Use drinking water for your ice, and make sure whatever ice tray or ice mold you use is clean—ice has a tendency to soak up surrounding flavors, which can make for an unpleasant cocktail experience. This is also a good reason to make fresh ice if you’re planning on making cocktails, since ice that’s been sitting in the back of your freezer for weeks can take on lingering smells that will ruin your Martini.

Ice for Shaking and Stirring

The shape of the ice you use in your cocktail shaker or mixing glass doesn’t matter as much as the freshness and quantity. The more ice you use, the more quickly it chills your drink and the less the ice melts and dilutes the beverage, so as a general rule fill your shaker or glass completely. While some dilution improves the flavor, too much can make for watery, weak cocktails.

Ice for Serving

Putting extra thought into choosing your ice elevates your drink and enhances the sipping experience. The ice you use in the glass serves multiple purposes: To keep your chilled drink chilled if you’ve already shaken or stirred the cocktail, chill a drink that’s made in the glass like an Old Fashioned, add a textural element with crushed ice, and enhance the presentation. Size, shape, texture, and visual appeal are all factors that can make a huge impact on your cocktail.

The Classic Cube

The cornerstone of cocktail ice, the classic large cube is a versatile choice for most drinks served on the rocks. Its large surface area makes it melt more slowly than smaller cubes and minimizes rapid dilution, ensuring your cocktail stays well-balanced and refreshing, while the large single cube draws attention to your glassware and the drink within.

Viski Highball Ice Cube Tray

Smooth Spheres

Think outside the box with shapes such as ice spheres. For stirred drinks like Old Fashioneds or Negronis, ice spheres provide the controlled dilution of a large cube with extra aesthetic appeal that impresses your guests. They also melt more slowly than cubes, since they don’t have sharp corners and therefore less surface area.

Viski Glacier Rocks Ice Sphere Molds

Crushed and Cracked

For more dramatic presentations, try crushed or cracked ice. This style is ideal for juleps, cobblers, and tiki cocktails—the crushed ice helps dilute extra strong tiki drinks and provides an almost snow cone like texture that gives cocktails a fun, tropical feel. A traditional Lewis ice bag helps absorb extra water, while a wooden mallet creates fluffy, finely crushed ice. If you’re looking to craft unique shards of ice, an ice pick is the perfect tool for chipping pieces off a larger block.

Viski Lewis Ice Bag and Mallet

Viski Three Pronged Ice Pick

Clear as Crystal

Flawlessly clear ice cubes elevate the visual appeal of your cocktails, allowing the colors and garnishes to shine through. But clear ice also means the ice is made from pure water, with all the minerals and bubbles removed, which makes for more dense, slow melting ice. Generally ice freezes with imperfections, cracks, and cloudy spots, so if you’re seeking perfectly clear ice you’ll need to invest in a tool that eliminates those distractions.

Viski Clear Ice Maker

Ice Alternatives

While traditional ice is widely used in cocktails, there are alternative options for chilling drinks that are worth exploring. Soapstone and stainless steel cubes offer unique benefits that can enhance your cocktail experience. These ice alternatives are perfect for those who like stronger drinks or want to avoid additional dilution.

Viski Glacier Rocks Soapstone Cubes

Ice is an essential component that can make or break your cocktail.

By choosing the right ice shapes for the right drinks and employing proper techniques, you can enhance the taste, presentation, and overall enjoyment of your libations. Check out our Ice Tools & Molds to explore a range of ice-related products, elevating your mixology skills to new heights.