TomFischer Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Something tells me there are a few Maker's Mark Ambassadors here on StraighBourbon. Maker's sends their Ambassadors holiday gifts each year and for 2010, Maker's Mark has delivered a nice plastic ice ball maker for a spherical shape which will ensure less surface area in your near "perfect" ice cube, it won't melt as slowly giving you optimum Bourbon drinking moments..and not the water. Anyone used theirs? Here is a picture of it and more info on this link - ice ball makerOr you could use these in place of snowballs for snowball fights...jk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callmeox Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Yep, this is mentioned in this thread.http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15071 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I think Tom meant it won't melted as quickly.In Japan, apprentice bartenders carve spheres and other ice shapes from square blocks. There is a machine for bars that will do the same thing. That is perceived as better than the molded type, although the molded ones are all I've had, here in Chicago at bars such as The Violet Hour and The Whistler. There was a big stink a few years ago when one of the single malts started to promote ice balls and give the carving machines to bars because, you know, single malt drinkers thought their sacrament was being defiled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dramiel McHinson Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I can't wait to give it a try! Their gifts are always a nice touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I have two of the MoMa sets and use them frequently during summer months. The round ice does seem to melt more slowly, especially when used for mixed drinks in a Bodum double walled glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebunk Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Just got mine last week and will test it out tonight. Seems a bit gimmicky to me, but what do I know? I'm not much for ice in my whiskey anyway (especially in winter) but what the heck, it looks interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p_elliott Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I got mine, made some last night my MIL's boyfriend is coming over for Christmas and it was discussed that he wanted to try Templeton rye over ice. The trays are a little hard to fill and empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 The trays are a little hard to fill and empty.The MoMA "two ball" ones are tricky to fill as well. You fill up the lower half and then set the upper half into the lower part. Any little "jiggle" and you hear a "whistle" sound whenthe upper half raises which can result in not fully formed spheres if you put it into the freezer this way. It takes a bit of trial & error but after doing it a few times, you can get it to work.As far as removing the ice, I've had no problem with the 2 piece set - using a butter knife to chip away excess and pry out the spheres - and figure this would work on the MM set as well. Not as easy as the old "twist & dump" ice trays but not terribly bothersome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourbon Boiler Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Got mine this week, can't wait to give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockporter Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 Got mine and put to use - My son with Knockabout Gin (made locally in MA) and mine with Four Roses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 Certainly a conversation starter. Believe I'll stick with my cracked ice though as the Bourbon doesn't last long enough to become diluted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepcycle Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 Who needs anything to freeze balls in this blizzard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 Guess we better find something warm and comforting to drink. Wait, I know just the thing . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stones Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 I also bought a set when i was in NY from MoMA, probably prefer the red MM version as the guys do give me a bit of sh*t for having a pink set. I am a big advocate of them though as they do last for two drinks worth here in the Sunshine State. :grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jburlowski Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 There are all sorts of these molds available... in various sizes. Just Google "ice ball molds". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slob Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 There are all sorts of these molds available... in various sizes. Just Google "ice ball molds". That led me, indirectly, to this. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/d29b/ Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nblair Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Just a disclaimer to anyone who might be looking at ice trays made of silicone. I had a nice set a couple years back, they were perfect 1.5" cubes. After a few uses, I noticed my drinks started tasting a little off. Sure enough, it was the ice. I tried everything to wash the trays, vinegar, baking soda, regular soap and water, but nothing worked. YMMV, but that is why I like the non-silicone MM ice ball trays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorvallisCracker Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 That led me, indirectly, to this. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/d29b/ Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p_elliott Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 That led me, indirectly, to this. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/d29b/ Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keng Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 The trays are a little hard to fill and empty.Yes, filling is a bit annoying so I'm going to drill out a wider hole for ease of filling. I've made a dozen 1/2 balls which seemed cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OscarV Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Yes, filling is a bit annoying so I'm going to drill out a wider hole for ease of filling. I've made a dozen 1/2 balls which seemed cool.You don't fill them thru those little holes.You fill the bottom tray (the one without holes) with water and then put the other tray on top it and the excess water comes thru those little holes.BTW, I see a couple of entrepreneurs have some up for sale on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifax Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 So... I am finally getting around to trying them tonight. First with some OGD BIB. It is a bit watered down, and deteriorated the finish that I love from OGD. However, afterwards I poured some current GTS over an ice ball, and voila! Me likey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 While the balls are great, an easier way to make a single, big ice cube is cut off the bottom of a plastic water bottle and use that as a mold. Pick a bottle that's just a little smaller than the glass you want to use. Similar effect, but a lot easier to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonneamie Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Aha, hints from Heloise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 For bigger balls, use a water balloon in a large cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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