Why some cocktails are served on the ice and others served up? When having a cocktail, the entire experience matters. Whether served on Ice or served up, your drinking experience should make you feel good. Cocktails are not just mixology experiments, they are about the whole vibe.
Many cocktails are served on the ice and this just not only mean chilled beverages. In fact, ice affects the dilution process and can alter the flavour profile of the drink. To understand everything, first, let’s see what is the meaning of served up and served on ice.
Difference Between Drinks Served Up And Served On The Ice?
Cocktails are served chilled but either they are served up or served on ice.
Served up means the cocktail was chilled during the process but served without ice. Ice was Strained before putting the cocktail in the glass.
Whereas, served on ice also called “served on the rocks” means cocktails are served with ice cubes in them. When served with ice, ice cubes dilute and alter the flavour profile of the beverage. This is meant to be!
Served-up cocktails are usually chilled but strong in terms of flavour and they are presented elegantly in stemmed glassware. Served on the rocks drinks, however, dilute as ice melts and disperse the strong flavour. They are usually served in wide glasses that can hold ice cubes.
Why Are Some Cocktails Served On The Ice?
Well, now we know how “served up” and “served on ice aka served on rocks” are different. Let’s read in detail why some cocktails are served on ice.
It Helps In Temperature Control
Cocktails are usually summer drinks. They are best when served on ice. Many cocktails when served on ice have an elevated flavour experience and the same cocktail served at room temperature can entirely mess up the taste profile. So serving on ice contributes to the overall sensory experience and taste profile of a drink. A good mixologist will always know that.
Also, serving on the ice keeps the drink chilled throughout the glass. To get that perfect flavour, every sip must taste the same. So when drinks are served on the rocks, ice keeps melting keeping the drink chilled throughout your drinking process.
Dilution
When Drinks are served on ice, they dilute the flavours so mixologists add as much ice as needed. Less or more can alter the flavour. With the drinks served on rocks, dilution is part of the process and it brings out subtler notes in a cocktail.
Complex flavoured drinks offer a layer of sensory experience with dilution. For example, when you serve sour whiskey on the rocks, dilution balances the tartness. Also, how much time the ice cubes will take to melt, contributes to the flavour. Large ice cubes take time to melt away and are best for old-fashioned drinks that have spirits.
Aesthetic Appeal
When cocktails are served on ice, it also contributes to the aesthetic appeal of the drink. For example, imagine a Moscow mule without ice cubes, the drink will look “lonely”. Clearer ice will make the drink look more “sophisticated”. Also how you use your garnishing with ice adds up to the visual appeal of the drink.
When serving on ice, glassware can also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the drink.
Aroma Release
As we have mentioned cocktails are about the entire experience and aroma is one of the important parts of that experience. Ice can control the aroma and flavour. For example, if the cocktail has mint with a strong aroma, it will overpower the other aspects of the drink. So ice cube will control the mint aroma, giving a nice sensory tickle without overpowering the drink.
Ice adds complexity to flavour. When you sip a drink with ice cubes, you feel a different taste tickle as compared to served neat.
Customization
Ice cubes can give control over flavour release according to personal preference. Ice cubes dilute the drink, so customers can add more ice to intense drinks to gradually dilute the flavours.
Also, drinks with ice cubes can be enjoyed for longer periods as compared to drinks served up.
Which Drinks Are Served On Ice And Served Up?
Served-up drinks have the same flavour profile throughout the drink. Drinks that are served up include
- Martini is served without ice cubes because it has Gin or Vodka, Dry vermouth and Garnish. The drink is about a delicate balance of flavours. So ice cubes can alter that balance.
- Manhattan has ingredients Rye, sweet vermouth, bitters, and cherry garnishing. Now the fusion of Whiskey and Vermouth is best when cold but undiluted.
- Daiquiri has white rum, Lime juice and simple syrup. To maintain its tart and sweet balance, the drink must be served up.
- Cosmopolitan has vodka, triple sec, cranberry and lime juice. To maintain the vibrant flavour profile drink must be chilled but not diluted.
- Gimlet has Gin or Vodka, lime juice and simple syrup. To savour its citrus notes, the drink must be served up.
Drinks Served On Ice
- Drinks served with ice, dilute as ice melts and releases flavours to complement different taste layers. These drinks should be served on rocks
- The old-fashioned drink includes bourbon or whiskey, sugar, bitters, orange twist and cherry. Now dilution balances out whiskey and bitters over time.
- Whiskey Sour has lime juice, whiskey, syrup and an egg white. Melting ice mellows down the tartness of lemon juice.
- Negroni has Gin, Camapri, sweet vermouth and orange twist. The bitter notes of Campari and the Strength of Gin balances out with Gradual dilution.
- Margarita has Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and an optional salt rim. Ice keeps the flavours in balance.
- Gin and tonic has Gin, tonic water and lime wedge. Ice keeps the drink refreshing.
- Mojito has White rum, mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, soda water, and crushed ice. Ice controls the aroma and flavour of mint.
- Rum and Coke have rum, coca-cola and lime wedge. Ice balances the sweetness of coke and the strength of rum.
We hope now you have a good idea of why some drinks are served on ice and others served up. Meet you guys soon with another interesting read.
