Types of ice
| Ice | How it behaves | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cubes | Melt at a steady pace | Most coolers and punches |
| Large cubes or spheres | Melt slowly because they have less surface for their size | Short drinks in rocks glasses |
| Crushed or pebble ice | Chills fast and dilutes fast | Fruity drinks meant to be sipped quickly |
| Clear ice | Looks like glass; made by freezing water slowly from one direction | Showpiece drinks at small events |
| Fruit or herb cubes | Add color as they melt | Punch bowls and pitchers |
To make fruit cubes, freeze berries, citrus pieces or herb leaves in ice cube trays with water you would happily drink. Use clean trays and keep them covered in the freezer so they don't pick up smells.
How much ice to plan
A common rule of thumb for parties is about one to two pounds of ice per guest. Plan toward the higher end in hot weather, for long events, or when you also need ice to chill coolers of bottles and cans. Ice runs out more often than drinks do, so it is worth having a backup bag in the freezer.
Two kinds of ice, kept apart. Ice that has chilled bottles or cans in a cooler is not for drinks. Keep a separate, covered container of ice for glasses, with its own scoop. The food safety page explains why.
Matching glass to drink
- Highball. Tall and straight. Holds plenty of ice and soda, so it suits coolers and anything topped with bubbles.
- Rocks glass. Short and wide. Good for drinks over a large cube and for punches.
- Coupe. A shallow bowl on a stem. Made for shaken drinks served without ice. The stem keeps hands from warming the drink.
- Wine glass. A large bowl that holds ice and lets the aroma gather. A good home for spritz-style drinks.
- Mason jars and tumblers. Relaxed and sturdy for backyard parties.
You don't need every shape. Pick one tall glass and one short glass, and every drink on our formulas page will have a home. Each formula there is drawn in the glass it suits best.
Chilling glasses
A cold glass keeps a drink cold longer. Put glasses in the freezer for fifteen minutes or so, or fill them with ice water while you mix and pour it out before serving. For a party, chill a tray of glasses in the fridge before guests arrive.
Outdoor events
Glass and bare feet don't mix well, so many hosts use sturdy reusable plastic or compostable cups by the pool or on a lawn. Keep ice in an insulated cooler in the shade, out of direct sun, and check it often. Replace any ice that has melted into slush or that someone has touched with their hands.