6 Types of Ice Every Hotel or Bar Should Know—and When to Use Them

In hospitality, ice isn’t just frozen water—it’s an experience. Whether it’s the crunch of nugget ice in a soda, the slow melt of a whiskey cube, or the crystal-clear beauty of gourmet ice in a cocktail, the right ice enhances the guest experience and even impacts beverage cost and presentation.

For hotels, bars, and restaurants, knowing the different types of ice—and when to use them—can set you apart from the competition. Here’s a breakdown of the six essential ice types every hospitality professional should know.

1. Bullet Ice

Cylindrical with a hollow center, bullet ice is easy to make, easy to chew, and blends beautifully into beverages.

• Best For: Quick-serve drinks, smoothies, blended beverages.

• Why It Works: Its shape makes it crushable and quick to chill drinks.

• Hospitality Tip: A must-have for cafés, juice bars, and hotels serving high volumes of chilled beverages.

2. Dice Ice

The most versatile of all ice types, dice ice comes in neat square or rectangular shapes and is a staple for most hospitality setups.

• Best For: Soft drinks, iced tea, water, and mixed beverages.

• Why It Works: Balances quick chilling with a moderate melt rate, making it reliable for daily service.

• Hospitality Tip: A go-to choice for restaurants, banquet halls, and large catering events.

3. Top Hat Ice

The most versatile of all ice types, dice ice comes in neat square or rectangular shapes and is a staple for most hospitality setups.

• Best For: Soft drinks, iced tea, water, and mixed beverages.

• Why It Works: Balances quick chilling with a moderate melt rate, making it reliable for daily service.

• Hospitality Tip: A go-to choice for restaurants, banquet halls, and large catering events.

4. Crescent Ice

Resembling a half-moon, crescent ice is known for its compactness and efficiency in filling glasses.

• Best For: Water service, mixed drinks, and bagged ice.

• Why It Works: Stacks neatly, reduces splashing when poured over, and maximizes space in a glass.

• Hospitality Tip: Great for hotels and quick-service outlets where efficiency and speed matter.

5. Solid Cube Ice

The heavyweight of the ice world, solid cubes are dense, large, and crystal-clear—designed for luxury drinks.

• Best For: Whiskey, cocktails, and premium beverages.

• Why It Works: Melts very slowly, keeping the drink strong while maintaining its chill.

• Hospitality Tip: Essential for high-end cocktail bars and lounges that want to wow their guests.

6. Crushed Ice

Refreshing and versatile, crushed ice is made by breaking down larger cubes into small, crunchy pieces.

• Best For: Mojitos, tiki cocktails, smoothies, seafood displays.

• Why It Works: Chills drinks instantly and creates a refreshing texture. Also great for showcasing food.

• Hospitality Tip: Ideal for tropical cocktails, poolside bars, and buffets.

Why Choosing the Right Ice Matters

• Guest Satisfaction: The right ice improves taste, texture, and presentation.

• Operational Efficiency: Specific ice shapes melt at different rates, impacting beverage consistency.

• Brand Value: Guests notice the details—premium ice can turn a regular drink into a memorable one.

How Svivel Helps

At Svivel, we take the hassle out of ice. With our subscription-based commercial ice machines, you get reliable access to the right ice type for your business—without upfront costs, breakdown worries, or downtime.

Whether your property needs dice for daily service, top hat for cocktails, or crushed for buffets, we’ve got you covered.

Choose Svivel—and serve experiences, not just ice.

Until next time—stay cool,

The Svivel Team