The Ice Myth: Does Skipping Ice Really Get You More Drink?
Welcome to The More You Know, Metro's new series dedicated to answering those mundane yet totally legitimate life questions that keep you up at night. In an era where a £16 spicy Margarita at a crowded bar or a £5 pint of Diet Coke at the pub can feel like a financial burden, many have turned to social media for cost-saving hacks. One popular misconception suggests that asking for a drink 'without ice' will net you more beverage for your money. But does this so-called life hack actually result in a bigger, stronger drink? According to industry experts, the reality is quite the opposite—you're likely to ruin your drinking experience instead.
Does Skipping the Ice Get You a Bigger Cocktail?
We've all seen those viral videos of fancy cocktails that look impressive on the surface, only to reveal a mere three sips once the oversized oblong ice cube is removed. To many patrons, it might seem like bartenders are on a mission to skimp on the booze by using ice as a filler. However, Simone Spagnoli, head of bars at popular London venues like Mr Fogg's and Control Room B, insists this isn't the case. He tells Metro, 'Ice is one of the most important ingredients in a cocktail, as its role is to keep the drink at the optimum temperature, maximizing enjoyment from the first sip to the last. No one likes a warm drink, after all.'
Simone explains that for ice to dilute slowly and maintain a low temperature, there needs to be an abundance of it. This might sound confusing, but in essence, the ice slows down its own melting process. He continues, 'It's quite scientific: the amount of ice is directly correlated with the size of the drink in milliliters. Too much ice will cool the drink but dilute it excessively, while too little won't cool or dilute it enough.' Many cocktails, such as Old Fashioneds or Martinis, are stirred or shaken with ice to control dilution, ensuring the ingredients harmonize at the perfect temperature.
For mixed drinks like G&Ts or Vodka & Tonics, Simone notes that the spirit, mixer, and ice ratio is carefully calculated for the specific glass, typically a highball. He has observed social media complaints about long rectangular ice cubes, clarifying that these are used for premium ingredients because they provide less dilution. Adding to the debate, Liam Hirt, founder of Circumstance Distillery in Bristol, urges customers, 'Don't do it. Asking your bartender for 'no ice' will mean you get a worse drink. Good ice keeps the drink cool, preserving CO2 for longer fizz, and removing it might mean more mixer, diluting the spirit's taste.' Simone emphasizes that a classic Negroni, with 90ml of alcohol, contains the same amount regardless of ice type.
Does Skipping the Ice Get You a Bigger Diet Coke?
The 'no ice' hack isn't limited to bars; it has also spread to fast-food chains. On Reddit's r/LifeProTips community, one user recommended ordering a drink without ice at McDonald's and then requesting a cup of ice at the payment counter, speculating that this would result in a fuller cup and a bigger sugar rush. To debunk this myth, Metro contacted McDonald's, who stated, 'At McDonald's, our cups feature two fill lines—one for drinks with ice and one without—and are filled by our drinks machines to the appropriate line based on customer preference.'
However, this policy only holds if servers follow instructions correctly. The takeaway? Be kind to hospitality workers—their discretion can make a big difference. In summary, while the ice myth might seem like a clever trick, experts agree it's a flawed strategy that compromises drink quality rather than enhancing value.
