When my husband and I first started dating, he took me to a whiskey bar where his drink was served over a single oversized sphere of ice. I was fascinated! Until that moment, I never really thought about the fact that there are so many different types of ice and how choosing the right one could actually make a major difference.
So when we moved into a house complete with a built-in icemaker on the fridge with crushed and nugget ice options, I became something of an “ice snob” about the types of ice I used in various drinks. My cocktails just hit differently when served over crushed ice, while soda poured atop a glass of nugget ice really did taste better to me.
Does the Shape or Type of Ice Really Matter?
While, ultimately, the type of ice you choose to serve a drink in comes down to personal preference — there is some rhyme and reason to the types of ice you use, what drinks you use them in, and even the method for creating said style or shape of ice.
With so many ice shapes and sizes, I spoke to a handful of pros in the food space to put together a helpful primer on all the different types of ice. “Ice is one of those things you don’t think much about until you start noticing how different it can be,” explains Marissa Stevens, food blogger and recipe developer at Pinch and Swirl. “I’ve tested quite a few ice makers over the years, and there are clear winners for different drinks and situations.”
And if you haven’t considered the role ice plays in your drinks, here’s something to noodle on: “On average, ice makes up over half of the volume of every drink, so it IS a legit ingredient!” says food and beverage blogger Lindsey Neumayer of A Recipe for Fun. “The type of ice you use depends on the type of drink you’re serving, and the flavor you want to be prominent in each sip.” When you want the flavor to dilute quickly, you can use smaller cubes, crushed ice, or pellet ice. When you want your drink’s flavor to remain strong, opt for larger cubes, spears, or spheres. “I also consider ice as a garnish — and that’s where specialized ice shapes can come into play!” she says.
So before you order your next cocktail, stock up the cooler for your next party, or look into purchasing a specialty ice maker, read on to discover everything you need to know about all the different types of ice and what they’re best for.
The 7 Types of Ice You Should Know (and How to Make Them!)
1. Nugget Ice (aka pellet, pebble, or Sonic ice)
Best for: Iced coffee, soft drinks, mocktails, and select cocktails
According to Stevens, nugget ice is light, crunchy, and wildly satisfying. “People are obsessed for a reason. It’s also great at holding flavor, so if you pour something sweet over it, it soaks it up a bit.” Neumayer loves using it in drinks that benefit from a bit of dilution like margaritas.
How to make: Neumayer uses her GE Opal ice maker every day to make sure she always has pebble ice in her iced lattes, sodas, and water at home. “I only use distilled water in it to help with the ice purity and keeping the unit clean, and regular maintenance is a must,” Neumayer says. Though it’s an editor-favorite, if that one’s not in your budget, check out these budget-friendly nugget ice makers here.
2. Bullet Ice
Best for: Everyday use, water bottles, small pitchers
This type of ice comes out hollow and rounded, making it a good all-purpose shape that chills drinks quickly. “It melts faster than cubes but is great for people who want softer ice,” Stevens explains.
How to make: Most standard portable ice makers produce bullet ice, but Stevens has used (and liked!) the Frigidaire EFIC189 because it’s “compact and budget-friendly.”
3. Crushed Ice
Consider this type of ice your most “festive” choice. “It has a dramatic chill, lots of surface area, and melts fast. It’s also great for lying under raw seafood or fruit platters,” Stevens says.
How to make: Wrap ice cubes in a clean kitchen towel and smack them with a rolling pin. You could also use the “crushed” button on a fridge dispenser, or pulse in a blender until the desired consistency is reached.
4. Crescent Ice
Best for: Everyday drinks, iced tea, big-batch lemonade
This is the default shape for most built-in freezer ice makers. “It’s not exciting, but it’s reliable, slow-melting, and works for pretty much everything,” Stevens says.
How to make: Built-in ice maker, fridge dispenser, or certain trays.
5. Standard Cube Ice (1″ or 2″)
Best for: Whiskey, Negronis, spirit-forward cocktails
These clear cubes look nice, melt slowly, and don’t dilute your drink too fast. “They also clink nicely in a rocks glass, which matters more than it should,” Stevens says.
How to make: Silicone trays are easiest for most standard ice cubes, and Stevens recommends those made by Tovolo, like this one. “Use boiled or filtered water if you want them clearer — it helps, but won’t make them perfect,” Stevens suggests.
6. Large Format Cubes or Spheres
7. Shaved or Flake Ice
Neumayer loves freezing herbs and fruit into cubes for holidays and special events as part of a garnish. “Famous tiki bars like Don the Beachcomber, Trader Vic’s, and the Mai Kai became known for shaping shaved ice into shapes like cones, shells, or domes in their drinks like navy grog, jet pilots, and daiquiris,” she says. And, of course, it’s great for making a classic snow cone, too.
How to make: Neumayer loves her KitchenAid shaved ice maker attachment but says you can make shaved ice using your food processor, too. And don’t be afraid to get creative: “Lately, I’ve even seen a few creators on TikTok using a handheld cheese grater to make shaved ice!”
What’s your favorite type of ice, and how do you make and use it? Let us know in the comments below!