10 Best Whiskey Ice Ball Makers in 2023: Full Reviews
Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Putting an ice ball in a dram of whiskey will let it stay cold for at least 60 minutes without diluting and changing its complex flavors. Ice balls have recently gained popularity in the past decade and have become an artistic and innovative way to design your favorite cocktails.
This article reviews the best whiskey ice ball makers our team has ever tried.
Top 10 Whiskey Ice Ball Makers You Need To Try
10. LiyuanQ Ice Cube Trays
LiyuanQ offers one of the best ice molds for whiskey, juice, or mixed drinks for parties. The product has two trays, each composed of six individual molds. You can choose three mold sizes from 2 to 3 inches to perfectly accompany your dram of whiskey.
Its built-in funnel allows you to fill the ice molds easily, and its silicone composition provides quick ice removal. The non-slip design lets you safely store it in the freezer with buckles to prevent liquid leaking. It is an easy-to-use dishwasher-safe product to add fun to your drinking.
9. Adoric Crystal-Clear Ice Ball Maker
This affordable Adoric product provides two-pack molds, creating six ice spheres and six ice cubes simultaneously. Aside from freezing water, you can try cooling your favorite cocktail, coffee, or lemonade drink with this ice ball mold.
The materials of Adoric make it easy to clean, easy to fill, and a leak-proof product. The ice spheres are easy to remove and slow to melt even after putting them in a glass. It is BPA-free and durable, letting you safely store it in the freezer without worrying about it suddenly cracking inside.
8. TGJOR’s Ice Ball Tray
This product is a combination of silicone and plastic, and it produces up to six 2.5-inch spheres, a little bit bigger than most ice ball molds. The size makes the balls melt slower, chilling your whiskey longer without diluting and affecting its complex flavors.
You can stack up the ice molds inside the freezer if you are preparing for a house party and decide to buy more than one tray. It is an amazing gift for any alcohol enthusiast to make their glass of whiskey look cool and let them enjoy their drink a little better.
7. Arctic Chill 2.5 Inch Sphere Ice Mold
One of the most highly recommended ice molds is the Arctic Chill Ice Mold. The design lets you save space in your freezer, providing two molds for 2.5-inch spheres. The product can keep odors out of ice and let you enjoy your whiskey’s original flavor profile.
If you want to create clear spheres with this product, we recommend you slowly freeze the water or cocktails by putting the tray inside another container for at least 24 hours. But remember not to overfill the ice molds and leave space for the water inside to expand.
6. Ice Genie Ice Maker
Ice Genie provides an ice mold that simultaneously produces at least 24 ice spheres. Although the design can take up too much space in your freezer and does not make perfectly-shaped spheres, there is still something unique with this product.
It has a convenient design to release the ice spheres by squeezing the outer chamber easily. Then you can store the ice in the inner chamber of the product and put it back in the freezer. The inner chamber can hold up enough ice balls for your needs.
5. Chillz Extreme Ice Ball Molds
This product is a four-set ice ball mold, creating 2.5-inch spheres that perfectly fit a rock glass or Old-Fashioned glass. You can easily wash these BPA-free silicone molds to avoid contamination. You can also use the tray to freeze fruit juice, soda, and other drinks without worrying about spillage.
The box instructs to fill only 90% of the ice ball molds from the top hole, but it still takes some practice to perfect a sphere. However, the design is still user-friendly and allows you to creatively store fruits and herbs before freezing.
4. Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds
Tovolo is one of the best stackable ice ball molds because of its durable and sturdy plastic material. It is an affordable product that lets you freeze good-sized ice spheres for just four to six hours. A line inside the mold guides you on how much water or drinks you can pour.
Its only disadvantage is that it can create one ice sphere at a time, making you buy more than one set if you’re planning to invite guests.
3. Glacio Large Sphere Ice Mold Tray
The Glacio Ice Mold is one of the most affordable products for creating ice spheres for your bourbon, Scotch, or Blended whiskey. These BPA-free individual molds can create four 2.5-inch ice balls at a time. The large sphere size means that it melts slowly, and it will not dilute your cocktail or liquor right away.
You have to fill at least 80% of the tray before freezing, but since its color is solid black, it will take some practice to perfect a sphere.
2. W&P Peak Silicone Sphere Ice Tray
W&P Peak Silicone Ice Tray is easy to use, fill, and dishwasher safe, making it one of the best ice ball molds for whiskey drinkers. This mold makes four individual rounds of ice to keep your alcoholic drinks cold but not diluted.
The sloped internal design lets you easily release a single 2 inches sphere without breaking the mold or twisting it. It is made of flexible silicone, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, lead-free, and LFGB-approved, keeping your health safe from harmful chemicals.
1. Houdini Tray Ice Mold
Houdini Tray provides a food-grade silicone mold that is affordable, simple to use, and dishwasher safe. The tray makes four thick, solid ice balls that you can easily release from the mold. This ice mold is easy to wash and fill with water, cocktails, and other beverages.
It can freeze melted chocolate or soft ingredients like mashed-up fruit, yogurt, or baby food. The ice balls melt slowly, letting you sip your whiskey without diluting its original taste.
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How To Make The Perfect Ice Ball For Whiskey
Making the perfect ice ball for whiskey takes a lot of practice with your product. Each sphere mold requires a different amount of liquid to prevent them from breaking as the water expands inside the freezer. After perfecting the ice balls, creating crystal clear ice spheres is your next challenge.
Filling the silicone trays using boiling or recently boiled water helps minimize the air bubbles or prevents cloudy ice [1]. You can also take advantage of the vertical space to carefully craft the perfect round ice.
FAQs
Are ice balls good for whiskey?
Yes, ice balls are good for whiskey. Ice balls make your whiskey cold, but its slow melting property keeps its flavor from getting watered down fast.
How long does a whiskey ice ball take to freeze?
The whiskey ice ball takes at least four hours to freeze. However, this estimated time may vary depending on environmental conditions and the water used. Given the right circumstances, hot water freezes faster than cold and warm water.
Are ice balls better than ice cubes?
Yes, ice balls are better than ice cubes. An ice cube melts faster than an ice ball of the same volume and surface area, diluting the distilled spirit quickly [2].
Final Thoughts
The best ice ball mold for whiskey is the Houdini Ice Maker. It is affordable, durable, and user-friendly. Unlike ice cube trays made of hard plastic, the ice ball silicone molds provide easy removal of the ice spheres.
An ice sphere lets you drink cold, distilled spirit without diluting and watering down its original flavor profile. Some brands offer different ice varieties depending on the event, and you can choose from diamonds, golf balls, baseballs, and skulls. Most ice molds combine plastic and silicone for better results.
References:
- https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/how-to-make-clear-ice
- https://makezine.com/projects/clear-ice-baller/
