Everyone has their drink of choice. Lately mine has been a Gin and Tonic although I'm quickly swayed towards a Campari and ginger beer, too. At our neighborhood bar last weekend, I learned a simple trick to maintaining the flavor in those cocktails.
Our bartender mentioned that in the summer months when folks are lingering on the patio for a longer amount of time, they'll often make ice cubes out of the tonic so that when they melt, the drink stays cool but full of flavor. The same could certainly be done with ginger beer or any mixing liquid (that doesn't have a high alcohol content, of course). For me, this was one of those 'why didn't I think of that sooner?' moments. We have a tray of tonic ice cubes in the freezer right now, and I'm never turning back.
3 Cocktails To Get You Started:
• Dark and Stormy
• Moscow Mule
• The Americano
Related: Straight Up: DIY Simple Syrup
(Image: Megan Gordon)
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Any recommendations for where to buy large ice cube trays and what brands are best?
Am I the only one who thinks that the cheap, plastic ice cube trays make horrible ice for cocktails (or any drink for that matter). Its almost as if the ice cube melts too quickly. I tried to find some old school metal ones (similar to the ones that I used to have growing up) but to no avail. Maybe if I check ebay but not at any retail outlet in my area.
Alternately, you could try something like Whiskey Stones, which are stones that you freeze and then put in your drinks. Keeps them cool, don't dilute! http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/ba37/?srp=1
Ebay or craigslist is probably your best bet for metal ice cube trays - but I would think the issue is more likely the size of the ice (and possibly how fractured) rather than what it's made in. The smaller the ice cube/shard/chunk the greater the surface area available and the faster the ice will melt.
For a party especially, get good commercially made ice. The harder, clearer stuff has less air in it and melts more slowly.
For metal ice trays, I would hound the thrift stores. Making tonic cubes is cool!
the ice cube tray in the picture above looks like some that i picked up at crate and barrel a year or two ago. they are silicone, so it's pretty easy to pop out the ice cube without too much heat from your hands melting the ice. plus, they make huge ice cubes, so the ice melts very slowly.
@ KATE MAYO
http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-KING-Cube-Trays-Blue/dp/B00395FHRO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336158651&sr=8-1
I would second the recommendation to invest in a dozen or so non-liquid ice cubes like the Whiskey Stones. There are a bunch out there, all different shapes and materials.
@ rosebud: Definitely hound the thrift stores if your heart's set on metal trays. I searched for them a while back & was quickly cured of my 'want' when I discovered ONE tray was $25. I'm guessin the 'vintage reproduction' description is what inflated the price. (well, that, and the fact that some wannabe designer's name was attached to it). I finally gave up in defeat and then, lo & behold, couple wks later I snagged three trays at the local CS on clearance at 75 cents for the lot. Do the math.
I use those ice cube trays from Amazon for iced tea and coffee. Best iced coffee has a giant coffee ice cube in the middle of it. With iced tea, I make fresh tea every other day so planning for tea ice cubes is easy. I almost always have some tea to fill the trays with whenever they go empty.
This is my favorite summer time idea!
Definitely a summertime rescue. In addition to tea, I also freeze various fruit juices. Great for kids' as well as adult drinks & adds a twist to iced tea.
I found trays that make big ice cubes at Sur La Table for $8!! And it's made out of silicone, pretty sweet:)
Cocktail Kingdom (cocktailkingdom.com) also carries the large ice cube trays.
You can actually go further than just tonic ice cubes and make gin and tonic ice cubes. The secret is to freeze them with dry ice (available at some supermarkets).
http://www.kaiserpenguin.com/everlasting-gin-and-tonic/
GREAT idea. Yes, why didn't we think of that before. Must include with our weekly cocktails ...