How to Choose the Right Ice for Vodka Cocktails

Choosing the right ice can frequently be overlooked, but it is a crucial element when it comes to mixology and cocktail making, as it can drastically impact the flavour, visual appeal, and overall taste of your drink. No matter if you are going for on the rocks, perfect serve, or cocktail, the question of ice is always important. Here we explore how to choose ice for vodka-based cocktails and offer a few tips to enhance the cocktail drinking experience.

Why Ice Matters

While ice might seem like a straightforward ingredient, its type, size, and quality have a tremendous influence when it comes to chilling the cocktail, avoiding dilution, as well as enhancing its aesthetic appeal. In vodka-based cocktails, ice allows to maintain crispness, and creates a more satisfying mouthfeel and pleasurable sipping experience. It also allows for balance of the strength of the alcohol and adds extra smoothness.

Choosing The Right Ice For The Right Cocktail

Choosing the right ice for cocktails can truly elevate your drink. Here’s a quick guide to know which one is for you:

Crushed Ice is perfect for mule type of cocktails, it chills the drink faster and it is great for drinks that are meant to be refreshing and cold. It also allows to place garnishes on top of cocktails, but make sure you think about high-quality glass or metal straws for easier sipping
Large Ice Blocks are perfect for cocktails that come in old-fashioned glass. They melt slowly and allow you to chill the drink without diluting it too quickly. Perfect both in cocktails and perfect serve, this is our favorite
Cubed Ice is the most common one and is the most versatile. It can be used for both stirred and shaken cocktails as it has a moderate melting pace
Ice Balls will definitely make an impression! These are similar to large ice blocks, but they come in a spherical shape and will definitely capture the attention of all of your guests

LEX by Nemiroff and Ice

Ensure that you always choose ice of the highest quality for all LEX by Nemiroff-based drinks. We recommend using clear ice, due to its aesthetic appeal and slower melting rate. Opposed to tap water ice, clear ice doesn’t have air bubbles or cracks that can affect the drink as it is melting. Whether you are going for on the rocks or LEX by Nemiroff's perfect serve, we suggest pairing a block of ice and an old-fashioned glass. This way the ice will slowly cool down the vodka and it will not dilute it due to a longer melting period. Similarly, we recommend following ice specifications for each of LEX by Nemiroff cocktails as these were carefully crafted by our Global Brand Ambassador to ensure that all components complement and enhance each other.

Conclusion

Overall, the choice of ice contributes to much more than just a cooling effect, as it is fundamental to the overall experience of enjoying a perfectly crafted drink. Properly chosen ice enhances the balance of flavors, maintains the intended consistency, as well as elevates the aesthetic appeal of your drink. Remember that by paying attention to the tiniest details, like a choice of ice, glassware, or garnish, you ensure that every cocktail is crafted according to its tradition and served as the creator intended. Enjoy responsibly!