The Shape Of Your Cocktail Ice Matters – And Here Are The Tools That Get It Right
When it comes to preparing cocktails, one of the important elements added to many blends is ice. But ice is far more than just frozen water which is used to chill cocktails. In fact, within mixology, ice performs many other functions which directly influence the flavour, texture and feel of many drinks.
Be it shaken cocktails or stirred blends, ice is added to a number of classic and signature mixes ranging from a martini cocktail to a piña colada to a whisky sour or a gin and tonic. And what plays a role in determining the textural and structural composition of these drinks is the shape of the ice which is used for blending them.
Essentially, ice shaped in a certain way can influence multiple characteristics including the temperature of the cocktail to its presentation and its overall aesthetic. It is only evident then that ice is one of the most influential ingredients added to truly well-balanced blends.
Dilution Speed
Of the different effects that ice has on a cocktail, one of the key impacts is dilution. When ice is added to a cocktail shaker, it brings down the temperature of all the ingredients in the drink, chilling the mix and diluting some of its more robust notes. But where the shape of the ice comes into play is the speed of this dilution process. Crushed ice and small ice cubes are excellent alternatives for drinks like mint juleps because they melt faster and lend the cocktails a quick chill, which is how they are traditionally served.
Large spheres or ice blocks melt slower and while they keep the drink chilled, their speed of dilution is slow which means that the flavours of the cocktail remain intact for longer. Such larger blocks of ice are used to prepare drinks like old fashioneds and negronis which are generally designed to last longer intervals.
Texture And Mouthfeel
The other significant effect that ice has on cocktails is their texture and mouthfeel which can either be a slushie like composition or a smooth drink without jagged edges. Cocktails such as tropical themed tiki blends including a pineapple cooler or a margarita can be prepared using crushed ice because it lends these drinks a crunchy, slushie-like chilled texture which is well-suited to summer weather.
On the other hand, long, spherical ice moulds are actually the better alternative for preparing elegant and sophisticated mixes like a whisky sour that carry a clean and smooth finish. Infused ice cubes and artisanal ices can also be used to prepare such cocktails to lend them a more aesthetic finish.
Presentation Matters
The shape of the ice used to blend a cocktail has a very important role to play in adding visual appeal to the drink. A tall highball or Collins glass filled with sharp ice cubes carries a very intentional and crisp look and a rocks glass containing spherical moulds is complete with a polished feel which in turn builds into the overall visual effect of the cocktail when it is served in these glasses.
Tools To Try For Making The Perfect Ice
Since the shape of ice influences cocktails, a number of different tools are of course available for a mixologist to come up with these frozen cubes. One of the most interesting is the ice press mould which is used to craft spherical ice cubes required for making cocktails like a whisky sour or a classic daiquiri.
Other tools include directional freezing trays or insulated coolers which also enable a mixologist to craft artisanal, infused ice blocks. And an interesting tool that can be used to prepare crushed ice is a simple silicone ice cube tray. Small ice cubes prepared in this tray can be blended with cocktail ingredients to prepare crushed ice slushies in summer weather.
Also Read: 5 DIY Cocktail Ice Pops For Your Next Summer Party
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
