Ice sphere

Ice

An ice sphere is a large round cube of ice, often 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across, that melts more slowly than standard cubes.

Also called: ice ball · large ice cube · big ice cube · king cube

Common sphere size: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across
Common large cube: 2 in (5 cm) per side
Silicone sphere mold: About 4 to 6 hours to freeze, cloudy
Clear-ice sphere mold: 14 to 20 hours to freeze
Ready-made spheres: sold by clear-ice companies such as Abstract Ice

What ice sphere means

Slow melting is the main thing a sphere changes in a drink. Less dilution means the last sip is closer to the first. A whiskey poured on the rocks in a rocks glass is the usual setting for one.

You may have heard that a big sphere makes a drink colder. It does not. It melts and dilutes more slowly, but it also chills more slowly, so it works best on a drink that is already cold. A stirred Old Fashioned poured over a sphere is one example. So a sphere is better for some drinks and no better for others.

A basic silicone mold makes a sphere, but the ice comes out cloudy. A clear ice sphere needs an insulated mold and a much longer freeze. You can also buy spheres ready-made from clear-ice companies such as Abstract Ice, which deliver to home bartenders. The steps below cover both the cloudy and the clear route.

How to make ice spheres at home

Pick a 2.5 in (6.4 cm) silicone mold for cloudy spheres or an insulated clear-ice mold for clear ones.

1.Fill a 2.5 in (6.4 cm) silicone sphere mold with water, close it, and freeze it for about 4 to 6 hours.
2.Choose an insulated clear-ice sphere mold for clear spheres. It freezes in one direction and takes 14 to 20 hours.
3.Let the sphere rest for 1 to 2 minutes at room temperature before you add liquid, so it does not crack.
4.Stir the drink with regular ice first, then strain it over the sphere, since one large piece chills slowly.

Ice sphere compared

Large cubeA 2 in (5 cm) cube does much the same job. A sphere has a little less surface for its volume, but a cube is easier to cut from clear ice.
Clear iceA sphere is a shape, while clear ice is a way of freezing. A basic silicone mold makes a sphere that comes out cloudy.
Cracked iceCracked ice exposes many surfaces to chill and dilute quickly. A sphere shows as little surface as possible, so it melts slowly.

Related terms

Put it to use in your next drink

Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.