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Here’s how to crush ice: the easy way! It makes the perfect powdery crushed ice for cocktails and mixed drinks.
Making a cocktail that calls for crushed ice? Oddly enough, it’s a little trickier than you might think. Some methods call for whacking the ice with a rolling pin. While it’s kind of fun to get your aggression out that way, it’s very loud: and it doesn’t result in even pieces of ice! After making 200+ cocktail recipes, we knew we had to get this one right. So we’ve mastered how to crush ice: the easy way! Here’s what to do.
How to crush ice…the easy way!
We’ve tested all the different methods for how to crush ice: the rolling pin, the blender, and the food processor. Which method is best? The blender! The blender was the most powerful method. Here’s the key: add a little water to the mix, which makes it much easier to pulse. Then you’ll strain out the water when you’re done! Here’s the specifics:
- Place your ice cubes in a blender with water. You can use any amount of ice, but it’s easiest with at least 2 to 3 cups. Then add cold water to cover half the ice.
- Pulse. Pulse until you see a majority of chunks that are 1/4-inch in size.
- Strain. Use a mesh strainer to strain out the water. If necessary, use your hands to pull out large chunks of ice. Voila!
Alternative method: crushed ice tray
Don’t want to make crushed ice? You can also use a crushed ice tray. Here’s the one we use: Mini Ice Cube Tray. Here are the pros and cons to this handy invention:
- The pros: You don’t have the mess and effort of using the blender.
- The cons: The tray makes little square cubes, which isn’t exactly crushed ice. The real stuff has a slushy texture that’s not quite replicated by the tray (see the photo below). Personally, we prefer the blender method: it gets just the right texture.
Storage info
Once you’ve made your crushed ice, you can store it in the freezer until you need it. Place it in a sealed container until you’re ready to use it. If you need to, break up any chunks that have frozen together. Then you’re ready to use it in cocktails and mixed drinks!
Crushed ice cocktails
There are lots of cocktails that call for crushed ice: and we’ve got recipes for all of them! Crushed ice adds a very specific texture to a mixed drink that’s important to preserve. Here are our favorite cocktails that use it:
- Bramble: This drink starring gin and sweet blackberry liqueur is one of the most refreshing on the planet.
- Whiskey Smash or Bourbon Smash A classic cocktail that’s tangy and refreshing, starring lemon juice and mint.
- Blue Hawaii A tasty tropical drink with an ocean-tinted hue.
- Blue Lagoon Another pool-colored drink with a citrus flavor.
- Berry Vodka Smash A beautifully fruity cocktail mixes blackberries or raspberries, mint, and lime.
- Vodka Cranberry Cocktail The classic vodka cranberry needs a load of slushy ice.
- Classic Mint Julep This ultra classic cocktail stars bourbon, ice, and lots of fresh mint.
How to Crush Ice
Here’s how to crush ice: the easy way! It makes the perfect powdery crushed ice for cocktails and mixed drinks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Cocktials
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- Cold water
Instructions
- Add the ice to a blender. Add cold water to cover about half the ice. Pulse until the majority of the ice forms chunks about 1/4” in size.
- Dump the mixture into a mesh strainer. If necessary, pick out larger chunks of ice. Store the crushed ice in the freezer.
More cocktail basics
Love making cocktails at home? Here are a few more cocktail skills to master:
- How to Muddle Mint Here’s the right way to muddle mint to use in all your favorite cocktail recipes: the Mojito, Whiskey Smash, and more!
- How to Make Clear Ice Clear ice cubes make the most impressive cocktails! After lots of research, we found the very BEST method for how to make clear ice.
- How to Make a Lemon Twist The easiest method for how to make a lemon twist as a cocktail garnish uses no special equipment: all you need is a knife!
- 30 Great Cocktail Recipes You Should Know Try all the great mixed drinks, from the Whiskey Sour to the Margarita!
Last updated: March 2021