Bitters are basically the spices of the cocktail world, and just a few dashes or drops can round out a drink or give it a bit of depth. Dashing them right into the glass is fine (obviously), but by freezing some of the gentian-infused liquid into a big ol' cube, you get a drink that gets a little more special as you drink it.
New Year's Eve is the time for indulgent, booze-based frivolity, and nothing is quite so extra as doling out little bottles of spirits, frozen in a cube of ice fit for a Collins glass. It's a very "bottle service" party trick, and it's not that difficult to execute.
Putting cubes of frozen coffee in your iced coffee -- instead of boring water -- isn't exactly a new coffee "hack", but there are ways to make them a little more interesting.
Cocktail ice is something that ethanol aficionados can get very, very fancy with. However, unless you're a nugget ice enthusiast, you really only need one cube for your home bar: a really big one.
If you plan on mixing up a big bowl of punch or a communal cocktail for a party, this trick will keep your concoction cool without diluting its flavour.
Disaster strikes when you're in the middle of a cocktail party and discover that, to your chagrin, you've forgotten to refill the ice tray. No worries, try this neat party trick: use hot water to quickly make some ice cubes.
Crystal clear ice may not make your cocktail taste any better, but it definitely makes it look more elegant and sophisticated. Using a process called directional freezing, you can make a huge batch of perfectly clear ice without any expensive equipment.
Alcoholic popsicles are a great concept but, thanks to ethanol's low freezing point, it's not as simple as throwing some booze into an ice block mould and tossing it in the freezer. But don't let that deter you from making fabulous frozen, boozy treats. All you need to do is pay attention to the ABV.
Running in the cold isn't as tough as it looks. With the right gear, your fingers and ears can stay toasty while you jog through a winter wonderland.
A single, large piece of ice makes a dramatic statement in any cocktail, even more so if you can make it round. Fortunately, there's a pretty easy way to do it.
