On Ice

Ice is a crucial part of cocktail making. Whether it’s shaken or stirred, different types of ice have different effects on a drink, playing a role in chilling and dilution. As you mix up your favorite cocktails, think about what type of ice best suits your drink and the desired temperature and flavor experience as you drink it.

Big Rock
If you’re wanting to keep your drink cold, but not dilute it much, a large ice cube or sphere is the best option. The surface area of the ice that touches the liquid is lower compared to regular ice cubes[[[[. This allows the drink to not get watered down quickly but keeps the beverage crisp and cold. A large ice block is also the best way to drink spirits straight if you don’t like them neat (with no ice). Some classic cocktails, such as an Old Fashioned or Negroni, are stirred with a big rock in the glass to ensure proper dilution.

Rocks
“On the rocks” essentially means regular ice cubes. They are used for spirits on their own, when more dilution is desired, and mixed drinks. When shaking or stirring a drink, rocks are used to properly dilute, mix and chill the drink. Regular ice cubes, in contrast with using one big rock, can help properly combine sugars with spirits and juice during the mixing process.

Crushed Ice
Featured and favored in drinks like the mint julep, crushed ice is how to keep your drink the coldest the longest. This makes it a great option for drinks you’re enjoying outdoors on a warm day. Crushed ice will also dilute your drink more over time than regular ice, so keep that in mind when deciding if your drink will still have the level of flavor you desire when mixed with more water.

Chilled Glass
Sometimes ice isn’t the best option to keep your drink cold. Putting your glass in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes will chill the glass, helping keep your liquid cold without diluting your drink at all. An alternative is stirring ice in the glass and tossing it out before pouring in your drink. This is common in drinks served up, like martinis.

Ice Cube Molds
Want to add more character to your drink? Using different ice mold shapes adds a fun detail, perfect if you're going for a theme. Take it a step further by adding things like fruit pieces, cucumber or edible flowers to your ice molds for a decorative finish. If you use something like fruit that has a distinct flavor, be mindful of how that will mix into the flavor of the drink you're serving. You can use flavored ice to create a layered flavor effect to the drinking experience as it melts into your glass.