Clear ice is pure ice that not only enhances the presentation of your cocktails but also prevents quick melting while maintaining its taste for a longer duration. Ordinary ice, on the other hand, melts much more quickly, diluting the drink and affecting its original flavor.
Moreover, clear ice is a great option for cocktails as it makes their colors stand out. This guide by LA ICE MACHINE, a commercial ice machine rental company, will discuss common cocktails made with clear ice balls.
Negroni
This is one the easiest cocktails that require minimal preparation and ingredients. All you have to do is mix Campari liqueur and sweet vermouth, two ounces each. The Campari has a dark red color and a herbal, fruity flavor. The flavor of sweet vermouth is balanced with the liqueur’s flavor.
You can garnish the cocktail by cutting a slice of orange and placing it on the rim. Place the clear ice ball in the glass before you pour your ingredients to serve a chill and refreshing cocktail.
Restaurants and bars can consider a commercial ice machine rental program to prevent higher upfront costs while getting quality spherical ice production.
Whiskey Sour
This is a popular cocktail that you can find in many high-end restaurants and bars. A whiskey sour tastes like vanilla and caramel with a hint of sour flavor coming from the lime juice, so it’s supposed to be enjoyed by taking every sip slowly. A perfectly spherical, clear ice ball added to this cocktail will keep it cold.
Add an ounce of lemon juice and a teaspoon of sugar to two ounces of whiskey in a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake for about 30 seconds and pour it over a clear ice ball in the glass.
Paloma
Paloma is a popular drink in Mexican resorts, made by mixing a ½ ounce of lime juice in two ounces of tequila and topped with a grapefruit-flavored soda. Prepare a salt-rimmed glass and place a clear ice ball in it before pouring your drink. The ice will give you a clear, pink, bubbly cocktail with an enhanced flavor. Paloma, in its simplest form, is served with lime wedges. You can also leave out tequila bottles and grapefruit-flavored soda cans so that your customers can prepare their own cocktails.
Margarita
Margarita is one of the most popular cocktails around the world. Blanco tequila is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a caramel-like, smooth flavor. When it comes to serving a margarita, salt-rim your glasses and top the drink with a lime garnish. For the glass rims, you can use coarse sea salt or kosher salt. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled when serving a crowd.
Vieux Carré
New Orleans has significantly contributed to cocktail culture in the past century. Vieux Carre is a special contribution that was introduced during the 1930s and refers to the French Quarter neighborhood in the city.
The recipe of Vieux Carré includes liqueur and brandy from France, rye whiskey from Mississippi, and vermouth from Italy. The bitter-sweet, smooth, and boozy cocktail is a representation of New Orleans in a glass.
Once the ingredients are mixed with ice, the final mixture is strained into a glass containing a clear ice ball. The cocktail is stirred well until it’s chilled. You can garnish the drink with a lemon slice, a cherry, or both.
Round vs Square Ice Cubes for Cocktails
Choosing the type of ice is based on personal preference. Most people prefer round ice cubes as they melt slowly and prevent the drink from diluting quickly. Square cubes, on the other hand, are likely to fit well in many glasses and don’t roll around.
Whiskey ice balls, for example, can also be served with spirit-forward cocktails, including Negroni, Martini, and the Manhattan. Clear ice balls are a better option than square ice cubes because they have a smaller surface area and come less in contact with the drinks.
Other Considerations
You can make your cocktail more enjoyable by choosing the right type, size, and shape of ice. Spherical ice has become more popular in restaurants and upscale bars. Using a large ice ball has a lesser surface area than a few small ice cubes. To ensure your commercial ice machine efficiently produces large batches of spherical ice, pay close attention to regular cleaning and maintenance.
Commercial Ice Machine Rental Program at LA ICE MACHINE
Commercial facilities such as restaurants and bars can upgrade their spherical ice production by choosing reliable commercial ice machines. Business startups running short on finances can opt for a commercial ice machine rental program at LA ICE MACHINE.
Their rental program includes equipment installation and emergency repair services. Their technicians are trained to use cutting-edge tools and equipment to get the task done right the first time and choose the right space for the machinery to ensure efficient operational activity.
They also have online ice machine rental solutions at affordable prices. For more information, contact them today through their website.
About the Author
The author has been associated with LA ICE MACHINE for more than five years and has an experience in commercial ice machine installation and emergency repairs. He specializes in Hoshizaki and Manitowoc commercial ice machine repairs.
