Home Recipes Dishes & Beverages Beverages

Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.

Whether you’re sipping a classic cocktail or enjoying a fizzy soda pop, dropping a couple of clear ice cubes into your glass instantly makes the drink look more impressive. An oversized ice cube packs an especially great punch. When we host parties, we like to keep clear ice on hand. Here’s how to make clear ice, whether you have a special ice cube tray or not.

You’ve heard the saying that “we eat with our eyes first.” The same is true for drinking—think of the cool graphic designs on beer cans and coffee labels, for example. Clear ice is better than regular ice for one reason and one reason only—it just looks better.

Clear ice doesn’t taste better, melt more slowly or keep the flavors of the drink more pure. It simply looks fabulous in a glass. A clear ice cube, compared to a cloudy cube, allows light to shine through, making the color of your drink more dazzling.

Lauren Grant for Taste of Home

“Then you know there are no impurities,” says Shannon Norris, senior food stylist for Taste of Home.

Shannon also recommends boiling the water twice, allowing it to cool between boils. “This removes a fair amount of the oxygen (aka bubbles) from the water so it will be less cloudy,” she says.

Use a lid or wrap to keep particles out.

Since slow freezing is key to creating clear ice, turn your freezer to its warmest setting so the cubes freeze more slowly. But this may sacrifice other foods in your freezer (such as ice cream, meat, etc.), so use caution.

Because the ice freezes in layers, top to bottom, only the bottom layer of ice will be cloudy—the rest will be clear. Use a serrated knife to carefully trim off the cloudy layer, if needed.

When ready to use, let the ice cube sit at room temperature for about two minutes before using. This brief rest at room temperature will slightly warm the cube and keep it from cracking when it comes in contact with liquid. Store ice cubes in a bin—or in a paper bag to keep them from sticking together.

Now that you know how to make clear ice, find the right gear to fill out your home bar setup. Then it’s time to make drinks!