Introducing the Industry Exclusive Viking 15″ Craft Clear Ice Machine

About a decade ago, craft cocktail ice in cocktails became an important bar and beverage industry trend. At the time, bars could differentiate themselves by providing cubes, spheres, diamonds, and other shapes — as crystal clear as the glasses they occupied.

Today, if you’re a cocktail bar or serve high-end beverages, crystal clear cocktail ice is practically a necessity. If you drop the perfect Negroni or the latest trendy cocktail in front of a customer, but that large ice cube is cloudy and detracts from the beautiful red-orange of the cocktail, it’s an immediate signal that the establishment might not feel the extra effort is worth it.

The reality is, though, the extra effort is worth it. In fact, operators have reported charging up to 25 percent more per drink just from the addition of clear or large-format ice. This profitability can range from a buck or two all the way up to five dollars, depending on the price points of the cocktails. It’s pretty simple. Clear ice is profitable.

But what about the customers? Why is clear ice such a big deal? Well, as it turns out, ice isn’t just a mere ingredient – it’s an art form. Studies have shown that clear ice not only enhances the visual appeal of cocktails but also elevates the drinking experience. When cocktails are served over large, clear ice cubes or spheres, they undergo a slower dilution process, resulting in richer aromas and flavor profiles. This is because the lower volume-to-surface area ratio of larger ice cubes allows for better control over dilution, ensuring that the beverage remains perfectly chilled without becoming overly watered down.

But clear ice isn’t just about aesthetics and taste – it’s also about profitability. As mentioned above, by investing in high-quality ice production, bars and restaurants can command significantly higher prices for their cocktails.

Introducing the Viking Commercial 15″ Craft Clear Ice Machine

There’s no doubt that creating clear ice is labor-intensive and slow, but it doesn’t have to be. Meet the latest innovation in craft cocktail ice technology, the Viking Commercial Craft Clear Ice Machine. It is the only craft cocktail ice machine in the industry, creating the large cubes that consumers have come to love.

The unit can produce up to 120 extra-large clear ice cubes daily, making it the perfect companion for whiskey, cocktails, and more. Equipped with Brightshield® antimicrobial lighting, the Viking Craft Clear Ice Machine ensures a hygienic ice production environment, providing peace of mind to both operators and patrons alike. Brightshield is an industry-exclusive feature that will help protect against bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew

With the Viking Craft Clear Ice Machine, bartenders and mixologists can take their craft to new heights, delivering unparalleled quality and sophistication in every glass. Traditionally, bar staff would be forced to freeze trays of large cubes taking up valuable freezer space. If those molds were capable of producing clear ice, they would take up even more space. Now, the Viking Craft Clear Ice machine can deliver both size and clarity without taking up any freezer space. In fact, the unit will create up to 120 large, clear cubes per day. Say goodbye to watered-down whiskey!