Who Knew? Ice Is the Unsung Hero of Cocktails

Sometimes, that offering would simply be a beautiful piece of ice – a luxury made all the more precious because people knew it would not last.

If you’ve ever sat in a Japanese cocktail bar and watched someone carve an ice gem for your drink, you will know how bewitching really immaculate ice can be. I often think we don’t value ice as an ingredient enough. Without it a cocktail is lifeless and flabby – it simply isn’t worth it.

A well-iced drink tastes electric; it’s more exciting to touch. It even sounds better – just t...