Making quality cocktail ice at home isn’t as hard as you think. The difference between a watered-down drink and a standout cocktail hinges on a few easy-to-follow steps you can take to make clearer, crisper ice at home.
Make it Clear
Distilled water is the fastest route to clearer ice. If you don’t have it, just boil some water and pour it into the tray. Seal your tray with plastic wrap to prevent any freezer odors affecting the taste.
There’s More Than Just One Size
Who knew there was so much choice? Larger ice melts slower and more evenly, which prevents the cocktail from getting watered down too fast. Spherical shaped cocktail ice, or “ice spheres” have the same effect, but add a unique look to your cocktail. These large cubes are great for an Old Fashioned or anything made of mostly spirits. Regular ice from standard trays is a great all-rounder, especially for recipes like highballs that require a lot of ice in one glass.
Crush It
Great for cooling drinks fast, crushed ice is used in a wide variety of refreshing cocktails. If you think you will be making a lot, purchase a Lewis bag and a mallet. If you need some crushed ice in a pinch, grab two clean dish towels, wrap them around some ice and pound with a mallet, muddler or heavy rolling pin.