Think Outside the Ice Cube: How to make your bar the coolest?

Ice… from figure skaters carving up the ice rink to Arctic explorers cruising through ice fields, it can seem both stunning and scary.

In the world of bartending, ice can be just as easy to love or hate. The wrong proportions can expose a cocktail to the wrong temperature or dilution and disrupt delicate balances.

And, as our last blog "It’s all about the ritual in the serve" revealed, there is a lot to be said in getting the seemingly ‘little’ things right. Customers expect an immersive and full experience – right down to the finer details, including the ice.

You can't run a cocktail bar without ice and put simply, “Better ice equals better drinks”. As beverage director, Tony Rials, told Behind the Bar, the demand for better ice is growing: “There is a growing increase in concern for the quality of ice all across the board.”

But it’s more than that: “A large cube melts more slowly than a small one; a cube without tiny air bubbles trapped inside is not only clearer and more aesthetically pleasing, but also less inclined to crack in a drink because of those minute imperfections," cocktail writer Camper English told The Washington Post.

And this guy should know, he’s obsessed with his mission to create perfect ice blocks. He has spent years working on clearer, more flawless blocks. See his review of the Über Bar Tools Ice Picks here.

Types of Ice to use in Cocktails

1. Standard ice cubes
   These are roughly 1x1 inch and the most commonly used type of ice as they fit easily into any type of serving glass, and they're the perfect size and shape for shaken or stirred cocktails. These have large, thick surface which is ideal for almost all cocktails as it prevents them from melting too quickly.
   
   
2. Large ice cubes
   These are typically 2x2 inches and melt slower than standard ice cubes, reducing the amount of water that is diluted into the cocktail. Ideal for drinks such as a Manhattan in a lowball glass, these large ice cubes will keep your drink chilled much longer.
   
   Try the our Ice Mould to create large ice cubes.
   
   
3. Ice balls
   These are usually for straight spirits or cocktails such as an Old Fashioned in lowball glasses as they keep the drink cool and melt slowly. They are also more aesthetically pleasing.
   
   
4. Collins Spears
   These are shaped like a long, thick block and is most commonly used in cocktails that require a highball or Collins glass.
   
   
5. Crushed ice
   This is a very popular ice type for cocktails such as a Mint Julep, Frozen Daiquiri or any other drink with a slushie-like consistency.
   
   Create crushed ice easily with Überbartools. Place the ice cubes in the Lux Ice Bag and crush them using the Lux Hammer.
   
   
6. Dry Ice
   This will really add something extra special to any cocktail with its smoky effect. Using this type of ice can be dangerous so ensure to equip yourself with appropriate gloves and safety glasses. Note: Dry ice is harmful if eaten or swallowed, so sufficient knowledge and experience on how to safely use dry ice in a cocktail is important.

Icy Perfection

And it's not all for show. Hard ice, with no bubbles and no cracks, is denser and has a higher cooling ability, so will melt much more slowly and keep a drink at optimum temperature for longer without diluting it too much.

The clarity of the ice, much like a diamond, is all about removing the cloudy quality of ice (a difficult thing to achieve) and creating the glass-like effect that ice-geeks all strive for.

So, how do you go about introducing an effective ice program to your bar? According to Good Food: “Some bars in Australia that truly care about cocktails have been paying attention to their ice for some time,” and because of this we have seen the emergence of some boutique hand-cut ice companies.

Helping Bartenders become Ice Sculptors

These ice-sculptors work by hand because, basically, no one seems to have discovered a way to create a perfect ice cube in a machine yet! However, it is possible to craft ice for yourself and we give you some tips on how to introduce an ice program to your bar in our previous blog.

What's more, we have a range of tools to help your polar expedition – from ice picks to a Thor-like hammer, these ergonomically-designed bar tools are especially made to make ice-crafting easy.

With solid stainless steel construction, modular design (for easy parts replacement) and a uniquely constructed grip for enhanced safety and comfort, our ice range helps bartenders become ice-sculptors. All in the quest for the perfect cocktail.

Cool Tips for perfect Ice

• Use our LuxFork to sculpt spheres or crush ice for Tiki cocktails.
• Use our LuxPik for picking large cubes and sculpting or crushing ice.
• Use our beautifully designed, timber LuxHammer to break up large ice blocks into smaller pieces, or to crush ice in a Lux Ice Bag.

Visit our ice tools page to see the full range in action here.