Whats the best way to make a circular piece of ice for a glass of liquor?

Question

In places like Japan, glasses of scotch (or other liquor) when served "on the rocks" will often have a big piece of ice shaped into a perfect circle. I assume this is made by shaping the circle from block ice. Is anyone aware of any other way to create this type of ice. It makes for a great glass of scotch? The ice does not melt like when served in cube form.

Answer 1

Here is an idea...
Get a thick round balloon. Rinse the outside of it off with cool water and turn it inside out. Fill the balloon with bottled water until its the size you want it. Try and get as much of the air out of the balloon as possible and tie it up. Then hang it from one of the racks in your freezer. Once it is frozen you can take it out and if its not perfectly round you can roll it in your hands until it gets to the right shape. Cut the top of the balloon and your ice will come out ready to use.

Answer 2

This may come as a surprise to you but hot water will freeze faster than cold water. Now, having told you that, I will explain why the round ice pieces melt slower. Cold water has more oxygen in it than does hot water. It takes longer for the cold water to freeze because of the oxygen level. When you boil water you release more of the oxygen and the ice will freeze much faster plus it will be more dense, thus melting slower.. if you want round ice just pour the water into a jigger glass, huh, use plastic if you can.. and put it into the freezer..you'll be pleased.

Answer 3

Hi,

Here's an easy method. Glue PVC caps, the size you like ~3/4", to a sheet of plastic the size of your ice trays. Fill the caps~ even with colored water- food coloring- for an interesting twist. With the use of caps you can make several stacking trays and have an abundance of circular ice "cubes." [Which of course they are no longer "cubes."

Amaze your friends and call them, "The Great Circle Ice."

Answer 4

I use 1 ounce Dixie cups and fill them with 1/2 inch of water. After they freeze, I let them thaw in the fridge and dump the ice in glasses or an ice bucket.

Answer 5

you could try to freeze the glass with water inside so that when you pour the scotch it will have ice on the bottom. melt then float

Answer 6

boy those Japanese sure have alot of time on thier hands to hand carve balls of ice for drinks. I would suggest finding some type of ping pong balls or cheaper similar type, poke a hole fill with water then when ready you would have to cut open. I wonder if you can do that with egg shells?

Answer 7

You can buy inexpensive ice trays that will make nice round ice for your drinks. They're about the right size.

Answer 8

i doubt that the ice is shaped by hand. too labor intensive, i.e. expensive. It's probably frozen in a mold or the ice maker produces that shape.

Answer 9

by some round shaped ice trays.most resturants have ice machines that make round ice.

Answer 10

Maybe you could set your own ice in bottle tops / jar lids, muffin tins???