Ice is a common ingredient when making a cocktail. Not only does it cool down the liquid, but the shapes of the cubes can alter the makeup of the drink and enhance its flavor. However, very little is known about how it came to be such a popular addition. The following provides insight as to where cocktail ice got its start and how it’s changed over the years.

How Cocktail Ice Got Its Start

The Origins of Cocktail Ice

Using ice to cool drinks is a long-standing tradition that spans the centuries. The Ancient Mesopotamians, who lived along the Euphrates River approximately 4,000 years ago, sold blocks of ice to the neighboring villages. People chopped small chunks to cool their homemade wine and make it more palatable. Emperor Nero of Rome took a different approach and packed his goblet in snow to bring down the temperature. This kept the melting ice from diluting his drink and reduced the potential for contaminants.

The American Ice Industry

The benefits of harvesting ice for profit soon became apparent. In 1805, Frederic Tudor started selling blocks of ice from the Massachusetts lakes to those in the South and the Caribbean. While it originally landed him in a debtor’s prison, the business was able to expand and sold approximately 25,000,000 tons of ice by 1886.

The Different Shapes of Cocktail Ice

The first ice machine was patented in 1851 by Dr. John Gorrie of New Orleans, LA. As other inventors adjusted the design, they found a way to clarify the ice and produce different shapes. The two-inch cubes were found to work best for mixing cocktails as they incorporate air and enhance the flavor. The larger surface area of moon-shaped ice fills more of the glass and prevents movement. Crushed ice offers a rapid dilution that chills the drink and adds just the right amount of liquid.

If you’d like to stock up on the perfect ice for all your high-end cocktails, reach out to Doggery Craft Ice in the Tampa Bay area. They maintain a high level of consistency and utilize the finest filters and purifiers in the industry. Their ice makers implement the utmost precision, hand-cutting each cube to meet the specific standards of their clients. Every piece is perfectly clear and offers the quality chill that your customers require. Call (727) 350-1073 to place an order or visit their Facebook page to learn more about their products.