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from the also-because-ice-cold-beer-is-an-abomination dept.
Why isn't beer served with ice? Well, the main reason is, the beer will get watered down as the ice melts – it's a problem that also extends to drinks that are served on the rocks, even though the coldness of the ice may help them to go down smoother. That's where the Beyond Zero system comes in. Instead of making ice cubes out of water, it makes them out of booze.
Invented by Kentucky-based entrepreneur Jason Sherman, the system actually consists of two devices – the Liquor Ice Maker and the Liquor Ice Storage Unit.
A liquor of the user's choice is first poured into the Maker, where it's cooled well below the temperature reached by a regular freezer, and formed into cubes. Exactly how that's accomplished is a trade secret, although the process takes just a matter of minutes.
Whiskey slushie, anyone?
(Score: 5, Informative) by TheRaven on Saturday May 27 2017, @11:38AM (4 children)
First, this is a solved problem and one that was solved with a cheap mechanism: reusable plastic ice cubes, which contain something that can be frozen and contain it so that it doesn't leak into the drink. I remember these from when I was a child and I've also seen them in cocktail bars. They cost a tiny amount, so anyone who actually cares about this doesn't have the problem.
Second, the problem with freezing the booze is that it separates and different components will melt at different times, so you will eventually (if you stir it enough) end up with something approximating the original, but in the interim you'll get a different composition as different components melt out of your booze cubes at different rates.
sudo mod me up
(Score: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Saturday May 27 2017, @01:26PM (1 child)
While I suppose that's a "problem," you still have the exact same problem with a standard mixed drink "on the rocks," with water constantly melting into the mix and changing the composition over time. Since the folks using this method seem to view dilution by water as the biggest enemy, I assume they would still view this "problem" as an improvement.
As for ice, that's actually sort of a feature of mixed drinks "on the rocks" that alters the experience -- perhaps in an enjoyable way, depending on your perspective. If I wanted a drink that stayed constant and strong in composition, I'd order a strained drink or something "neat." Part of the point of "on the rocks" drinking is often the dilution factor, which balances the flavor (if you want something less "strong"). It also causes a "long drink" (a large volume one, generally drunk slowly) to gradually weaken over time, which can be refreshing. For example, a gin and tonic on a hot day: too much alcohol too fast can leave you feeling dehydrated, but you get more water as the drink goes on. It's also somewhat fun then to refresh your drink and get that "hit" of strong flavor again.
Maybe I put too much of a positive spin on something that others consider a "problem." I just view drinking strong alcohol over ice to be a fundamentally different experience from other types of drinks, particularly for long drinks that are obviously intended to dilute over time. (And yes, there is also a place for whiskey stones or the plastic "ice cubes" you mention for those who just want a cold drink, rather than the diluting effect of ice.)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 27 2017, @05:58PM
I don't drink alcohol in general (I do drink a little wine with food maybe five times a year).
Knowing this, can you please explain why it would be bad to simply put spirits in the fridge the day before drinking them? I understand you enjoy ice cubes that melt, but you say there's a place for the plastic cubes as well.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 28 2017, @05:24AM (1 child)
They called the Wright brothers silly. They called space whisky silly. If no one tried silly ideas, we'd never progress.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 28 2017, @08:17AM
No, its not a silly idea. Look how rich the inventor of "slushie" drinks became.
This guy is not marketing to kids with a dime in their pocket. He is marketing to rich people that have lots of disposable ( as in throwaway ) income.
They may cut costs with employees, but when it comes to personal luxuries, these guys will *spend*!