Not all ice is the same. There are different shapes, sizes and consistencies. It’s these characteristics that affect the overall viscosity or consistency of your blended beverage.

Don’t get overwhelmed. With our simple tips and tricks, you’ll master the nuances.

Varieties.

Ice comes in different shapes and forms. It can vary from small cubes with a hollow center to larger half-moon shapes. Common forms include solid discs, tubes or pellets, as well as more delicate types that are shaved, chipped or flaked.

Our #1 tip when choosing ice for smoothies or frappes? Keep it consistent. This will make measuring free of guesswork and ensure you get a perfect beverage every time.

Another helpful tip: keep your ice frozen and well drained. Ice not stored well becomes wet or transparent, and at this stage, it melts quickly. Really quickly!

We at Dr. Smoothie favor the more standard cubes made from an automatic or commercial ice maker. This type is shaped like a half-moon and boasts “average” characteristics. It’s not too large or too small, it’s not too wet or too dry – it’s just right. If you choose this type, you may want to reduce, or perhaps even eliminate, the water in your recipe to achieve the best viscosity of the blended product.

Ice that is shaved, chipped or flaked also requires less water, plus a shorter blending time. The heat generated in the blending process melts this delicate ice. In these instances, reducing the amount of water and increasing the ice is the best viscosity solution.

Larger cubes will take up more airspace in your blender jar, so you may want to adjust the amount of ice or water you use then too.

Viscosity.

The balance of ice and water determines the viscosity of your blended beverage. Perfection is achieved when the smoothie or frappe pours easily from the blender jar, while still exhibiting a full-bodied texture.

Too much ice creates a thick, overly icy drink that’s hard to pour or serve. Too much water will result in a thin, watery beverage. If you’re seeing any of these characteristics, adjust your proportions and try again. Repeat as needed.

Best Practices.

With minimal experimentation, you will determine the best ice type and amount of water for your preferred beverage consistency. We recommend using these taste tests as an opportunity to sample your flavor variety with staff or customers. It’s a win-win strategy.

When measuring ingredients, use a device that’s the same size as your serving cup. It’s simply and easy that way. For a 16 ounce finished beverage, we recommend using 14-16 ounces of commercial ice, or 16-20 ounces of shaved chipped or wet.

Blending and serving consistently delicious smoothies and frappes again and again is that simple.

Have other questions? Give us a ring at 1.888.466.9941.

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