Are There Different Types of Ice for Drinks? Which is Best?
When it comes to crafting the perfect drink, most people focus on the ingredients like fresh juices, flavorful mixers, or a fun garnish. But ice has become just as important. Whether you’re an iced coffee lover or a cocktail enthusiast, many people are passionate about ice, and even invest in machines to make it at home. From classic cubes to gourmet spheres, each serves a purpose and can completely change your drinking experience.
In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of ice for drinks, when to use them, and which ones are best for everything from everyday beverages to special occasions. But first, we’ll explain why ice type matters and how it can impact your drink’s flavors. Then, we’ll wrap up with some of our favorite features to look for in a portable ice maker.
Why Ice Type Matters
Not too long ago, we didn’t have many choices when it came to ice. You filled up a tray, popped it in the freezer, and waited for the ice cubes to freeze (roughly three to four hours). Whatever came out was what you used.
Today, things are different. Portable ice makers have revolutionized how we chill drinks and preserve food, driven by the growing demand for ice with specific shapes, textures, and purposes. These machines can produce ice in as little as 15 minutes, making it easier than ever to have ice on demand. Whether it’s for cocktails or coolers, the right ice can make all the difference.
Shape and Surface Area
Ice shape isn’t just about looks, it also plays a big role in performance. Whether cubes, balls, bullets, or nuggets, the shape of your ice directly impacts the surface area, which determines how quickly it chills your drink. More surface area means faster cooling, but also faster melting. The goal is to cool your drink quickly without watering it down too soon. That’s why understanding ice shape matters when choosing the right ice maker for your needs.
Color and Drink Presentation
If you’re crafting a handmade mocktail or pouring a well-aged single malt, presentation matters and that includes ice. Cloudy or misshapen ice can take away from your drink’s visual appeal.
Sure, for soda in an opaque cup, most any ice will do. But for a special presentation, clear ice is the gold standard. Whether you go with cubes, spheres, or another shape, the right ice adds that final touch of polish.
Featured SKU: ClearIce40
Beverage Taste
The type of ice you use can impact the taste of your drink, too. Much of this depends on the water used to make the ice: tap, filtered, or bottled. Ice with impurities can subtly alter your beverage’s flavor as it melts. For the best-tasting drinks, choose ice made with filtered or purified water. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
Melting Speed
As mentioned above, you want ice that keeps drinks cold as long as possible. So, the slower it melts, the longer your beverage stays chilled and flavorful.
But melting speed isn’t just important for drinks. It’s also crucial for keeping food fresh. From buffet shrimp to freshly caught fish, slow-melting ice helps prevent spoilage, making it essential for food displays and coolers.
Ice Hardness
Ice hardness plays a big role in how it’s used and enjoyed. Harder ice tends to melt more slowly, making it ideal for keeping drinks colder longer without dilution. But there are plenty of ice chewers out there who like soft ice.
Soft, chewable ice is popular in everything from fountain drinks to iced tea, and it’s perfect for treats like snow cones and Hawaiian shave ice. If you’re looking for something softer or slushier, a slushie maker is another great option for creating refreshingly cold beverages.
Common Types of Ice
Ice is typically categorized by its shape and texture, since these factors influence how it chills and melts. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular types, and what they’re best used for.
Full Cubes
This is what most people think of when they hear “ice cubes.” These are solid blocks of ice that are roughly square-shaped, though they may be slightly tapered at one end or have rounded corners instead of sharp edges. These iconic cubes are what you make at home and find in most convenience stores. They’re also the most common shape if you’re after the crystal-clear cubes prized by upscale restaurant bartenders and home mixologists for mixed drinks.
Full cubes are the best all-purpose ice. They chill drinks quickly and work great for icing down coolers to keep your favorite foods cold on the go.
Full Cubes
Half Cubes
Also known as half-dice ice, these smaller cubes are essentially regular ice cubes cut in half. They’re thinner and flatter, like a pat of butter. This size and shape make half cubes a popular choice in both self-serve beverage dispensers and behind-the-scenes ice machines because they fill a glass more completely and blend smoothly into drinks as they melt.
Half-cube ice is perfect for filling individual glasses and making slushy, blended cocktails. Its smaller size makes it easier to crush and blend, resulting in smoother daiquiris and frozen drinks. It’s also ideal for iced coffee, thanks to its even melting that keeps your drink chilled without watering it down too quickly.
Half Cubes
Nugget Ice
Nugget ice is an ice chewer’s go-to. Soft, airy, and less clear than traditional cubes, it often appears almost white. This softer texture makes nugget ice easy to chew and a satisfying addition to many drinks.
Because it absorbs liquid well, nugget ice enhances the flavor experience, making it especially popular with soft drinks, iced tea, and lemonade. Its porous nature allows it to chill beverages quickly while adding a unique mouthfeel that many people love. However, it melts a bit faster, so it’s not ideal for long-term cooling.
Nugget Ice
Bullet Ice
Often mistaken for nugget ice, bullet ice is uniquely shaped like a small cylinder with a rounded tip (much like a bullet). What sets it apart is its hollow center, similar to tulip ice, which increases the surface area and helps chill drinks faster. This hollow core also causes bullet ice to melt more evenly, though typically faster than solid ice cubes.
Bullet ice is usually clearer and harder than nugget ice, with a cloudy or white appearance that has earned it the nickname “pearl ice.” Thanks to its shape and melting characteristics, bullet ice is ideal for mixed drinks and blended cocktails. Its size and texture also make it a popular choice for carbonated soft drinks and casual venues where a bit of cloudiness isn’t a concern.
Bullet Ice
Ice Spheres or Balls
Elegant and functional, ice balls have become a favorite among whiskey drinkers and cocktail lovers. Their perfectly spherical shape minimizes surface area compared to traditional cubes, which slows the melting process significantly. This means your drink stays chilled longer without quickly becoming diluted, preserving the rich flavors and aromas of premium spirits.
Clear, impurity-free ice balls not only perform well but also elevate the presentation of any drink. Their crystal-clear appearance adds a touch of sophistication and refinement, making them ideal for upscale bars, special occasions, or simply impressing guests at home.
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Ice Balls
Flakes
Flaked ice, or shaved ice, is most often used for food displays in restaurants and stores, as well as in catering. When finely shaved, it becomes the base for sweet treats like snow cones, Italian ice, and Hawaiian shave ice. Its soft, snow-like texture makes it easy to scoop, shape, and flavor, ideal for desserts or decorative food presentations.
Flaked Ice
Crescent Ice
If you’ve ever gotten ice from a hotel ice maker, chances are it was in the shape of a crescent. Some built-in refrigerator ice makers produce this type of ice as well. Crescent ice is flat on one side and rounded on the other. It tends to be longer and thinner than traditional ice cubes, shaped like a half moon.
This ice melts slowly, making it a good choice for drinks you want to sip over time, or for use in picnic and camping coolers. (Pro tip: If you’re going on a trip and packing food but don’t want to deal with melting ice, consider an iceless cooler.)
Crescent Ice
Top Hat Ice
These small ice cubes are a creative take on the classic square cube. They’re shaped like hollow cylinders, about as tall as they are wide, with a rounded edge that looks like a little hat, hence the name “top hat” ice. Also called gourmet ice, this style is popular in upscale bars and restaurants where clear, stylish ice is a must.
Top hat ice melts slowly, making it perfect for mixed drinks that need to stay balanced without getting watered down. Their crystal-clear appearance adds a touch of elegance to any cocktail, helping your drink look as good as it tastes.
Top Hat Ice
How to Choose a Portable Ice Maker
Portable ice makers are a game-changer for anyone who wants fresh ice on demand. Whether you love entertaining family and friends or simply want to make iced coffee at home, the best model is the one that fits your lifestyle and needs. Fortunately, countertop ice makers make it easy to get the ice you want without sacrificing space.
If you’re after crystal-clear ice for cocktails and dinner parties, this countertop ice maker produces up to 40 pounds of clear cubes per day and is an excellent choice for entertaining.
Featured SKU: NIM045SS00
For everyday ice needs, bullet ice is a versatile option that works well both in the glass and the blender. Its rounded shape reduces splashing, making it ideal for everything from soft drinks to smoothies. Plus, the compact space-saving design of this model frees up to 30% more counter space while creating perfectly-shaped bullet ice.
Featured SKU: AI-110SS
When shopping for a portable ice maker, don’t just focus on the ice shape. Consider these important features to get the most from your machine:
- Daily ice production capacity (from 28 to 50 pounds)
- Insulated interior compartment to keep ice frozen longer
- Viewing window to see how much ice you have on hand
- Quick setup for immediate use
- Easy cleanup for hassle-free maintenance and BPA-free parts
- Undercounter models
- Durable design suitable for light commercial use
By choosing an ice maker that matches your routine, you’ll save time and always have ice on hand.
Newair Has Clear, Nugget, Bullet, and Ball Ice Makers
Looking for an ice maker that produces a specific type of ice? Newair, a proud U-S based business, offers a wide selection of ice makers you can easily browse online from the comfort of your home. In addition to ice makers, we also carry a variety of other compact appliances designed to fit your lifestyle and space, including wine fridges, chest freezers, and portable AC units.
When you shop with Newair, you’ll enjoy fast delivery, hassle-free returns, and exceptional customer service.
