How The Type Of Ice You Use Impacts Your Drink

The type of ice you use in your drinks can have a big impact on their flavor and potency. The rate at which ice melts can make or break a spendy spirit or fruity cocktail. The shape and size of the ice you choose is important, so we asked an expert for her opinion.

Lexi Parker, lead bartender at Denver's Poka Lola Social Club, has advice for home mixologists. In her opinion, expensive whiskey served on the rocks should use a large block of ice or an ice sphere. According to Parker, using a large ice cube "will dilute less quickly, and the flavor of the whiskey itself will be preserved longer."

On the flip side, some drinks are best served with crushed ice, also known as pebble ice. Any drink that has a lot of sugar or booze (or both) should be served over pebble ice. Parker explained that these kinds of drinks, such as the Kentucky Derby classic of mint juleps or tiki-style cocktails, "need to dilute a bit more quickly" to cut the sugar and liquor, and the fast-melting pebble ice does that nicely.

If you're looking for a striking visual in your glass, there are lots of novelty ice cube molds available. Molds like this one that turn your ice cubes into cute little penguins are entertaining and a conversation starter, but ultimately function should be your primary concern. Lexi Parker agrees, telling us those fun molds are "more for appearance than the shape specifically making a difference" in how the drink should be enjoyed.

This means that the standard 1.25-inch ice cube shouldn't be overlooked. This standard-size cube is perfect for classic cocktails like gin and tonics or margaritas. The humble, moderately-sized cube of ice is also the perfect way to chill any drink that requires shaking before serving.

One shape that's almost always worth adding to your bar is the ice sphere. Ice spheres like this one are an ideal alternative to oversized ice cubes, as their relatively low ratio of surface area to volume cuts down on melting and keeps the drink from getting diluted too quickly. That said, it may take longer to freeze than the three to four hours necessary for making ice in a standard ice cube tray. But with some patience, an ice sphere is an inexpensive and easy way to make sure that special whiskey delivers on every sip.