Search for the perfect ice (Cocktail Cubes)

I got a lovely email the other day that I want to share with you. 

"If you think your followers might be interested they can use coupon code IceCubes and get 15% off.
http://amzn.to/1pYrHJB "

hmmm.  that must mean that the big... XL ice cube tray that has been sitting on my shelf needs to be reviewed. 

My bad.  I'm sorry that it took me so long.  I've been a bit preoccupied by releasing my second book: Whiskey Cocktails.

It occupies most of my time- please let me apologize, because you have constructed a very unique product.  One that needs to be reviewed within these pages!

The color of the ice tray, made of silicone rubber is a pleasing blue, but that has very little to do with the overall flavor of the ice cubes.  Of course should you wash them in the dishwasher they will be ruined... so just don't do that.

wash them by hand with a bit of white vinegar and water.  try not to use soap.  And wash the tray away from oils or fats.  They tend to stick to the inside.  Just listen!

The shape of the cocktail cubes is not quite square.  What I mean by that is the bottom is slightly flared inwards.  This is a nice way of setting these cubes in another class entirely.  I've never seen cubes in this shape. 

They say that the cubes take 2 plus hours to melt.

My drink will never last that long!

But for an amazing gift for yourself or a friend... This should be a very easy decision.

I drank my 2 hour cube with a nice portion of Barrell Bourbon.  It was the new experimental version, so I cannot say much, other than it may have been one of the finest whiskies I've ever tasted.

Of course I drank my portion with a nice coal oven pizza slice.  Charred lightly on the outside, puffy with the inner air bubbles from the freshly made dough- the sweet tomato counters the tangy cheese. 

I only taste whiskey with food.  You should too!  No sense in getting drunk first thing in the morning!!!

Charles d'Orleans

Ingredients:

2 oz. Barrell Bourbon (003 will work)

.25 oz. Absinthe (La Clandestine is my preference in this drink)

2 oz. Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit juice

.50 oz. Lime Juice

1 egg white

Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters

Prep:

To a Boston Shaker, add the citrus juices and the egg white

Shake hard (dry shake)

Fill the egg/juice shaker 3/4 with ice

Add the Barrell Bourbon and the La Clandestine Absinthe

Cap and shake hard for 15 seconds

Strain into a coupe glass and dot with lemon bitters