If you've ever wondered how to make clear ice like the kind you see in craft cocktails or high-end restaurants, you're not alone. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make clear ice that not only looks stunning but also melts more slowly, keeping your drinks colder and less watered down, perfect for cocktails, whiskey, iced coffee, and more.
What makes ice cloudy
- Air bubbles. As water freezes from the outside in, it pushes air toward the center.
Impurities. Minerals, sediments, and other impurities in regular tap water get concentrated as the water freezes.
Freezing too quickly. Water freezes rapidly and unevenly in standard freezer, locking in air and particles before they can escape.
How can I make clear ice at home
To get clear ice, directional freezing technique is used, where water freezes slowly from one direction (usually top to bottom), pushing air and impurities to the bottom where they can be removed.
Making clear ice cubes
- Fill a small lidless cooler with water and placing it in the freezer for a day.
- Before it fully freezes, remove the cooler, let it sit briefly, then invert the cooler to release the ice.
- Trim off the cloudy bottom with a serrated knife, and cut the clear portion into cubes, spheres, or slabs.
Making clear ice cubes in ice cubes mold
The method above works great for carving clear ice blocks, but what if you want to use your favorite or custom ice cube molds? Here's how you can make (almost) clear ice right at home using the molds you love, without using a clear ice maker.
- Use distilled water to fill up the mold.
- Remove air bubbles. Use toothpick to gently pop any air bubbles trapped inside the mold.
- Place mold on an insulated surface like a towel or silicone mat. This slows freezing from the bottom and encourages top-down freezing, mimicking directional freezing slightly.
- Once frozen, pop the ice cubes out from the mold gently and place on a plate at room temperature to temper the ice.
- Add the ice cube into your drink LAST to keep the design clear.
- Store your finished clear ice in a sealed bag or container in the freezer to prevent surface frost buildup.
Clear ice, especially with custom design, name or brand logo is the small detail that makes a big impact. Try the tips and let us know how it turns out!
Have a beautiful artwork? A cool logo? or simply can't find you are looking for? Create your own custom ice cube silicone mold with us. Contact us for your next project.
