Can You Freeze Alcohol into Ice Cubes?

If you cook using red wine, you may have experienced freezing them into cubes on several occasions, as it may come in handy when cooking certain soups, sauces, or gravy.

If alcohol can be kept in cubes, that would be neat. As always, we looked for answers, and below is an account of what we found.

A combination of water and alcohol is what we drink most of the time. You can keep them in cubes by placing them in the freezer. 

The percentage of alcohol present or its ‘proof’ is one thing to consider. The lower the alcohol content, the easier it can be to freeze. 

When placed in the freezer, higher alcohol can turn slushy, but below 15 percent alcohol by volume can freeze well. 

Regular home freezers will not freeze alcohol with 40 percent proof or more.

Alcohol by volume or ‘ABV’ and ‘proof’ are two standard terms used in alcohol language. The amount of alcohol in the drink is expressed differently by both.

The amount of alcohol present per 100 liters of the solution is called alcohol by volume.

The value you get is the ‘proof’ if you multiply the ABV twice. Don’t forget to remember how each one is derived, they can both be used interchangeably.

Alcohol

Why Is It Challenging to Freeze Alcohol?

There is a very low freezing point for alcohol in its purest form. It may not be possible to freeze alcohol using home freezers, as the lowest temperature they can go is -7.60F.

On occasion, you can put liquors in the freezer, according to common practice. The lower freezing point is not the same as the pure one, because there is more water in the beverage.

The freezing point of some liquors can also be different with the addition of Additives and flavoring.

The acceptability of freezing alcohol is determined by volatiles more than the dilution. Whiskey versus vodka is an example of that.

Whiskey drinkers enjoy the taste of the beverage first before taking a sip or gulp. The smell of whiskey disappears when you freeze it.

As the texture may change for the better, freezing may improve the experience and taste of vodka, which has fewer volatiles.

The trade-off is that freezing can improve the taste and texture, but it can also affect the smell and flavors.

This is not something that should bother anyone. Some beer manufacturers have capitalized on this information.

They recommend that you put them in the freezer before you drink them.

They know that freezing makes it easier to get rid of unwanted flavors. While you get to drink the beer as projected in the advertisement, the market and demand will be there.

Alcohol

What Alcohol Is Best Inside the Freezer?

Any alcoholic beverage can be put into the freezer. There will be some that will not freeze.

The higher the alcohol content, the less likely it is to solidify when placed in the freezer, according to the general rule.

The number fifteen is the number to remember. Liquors with less than 15 percent alcohol content will freeze solid if left in the freezer for long periods, while 40 proof or higher will retain their liquid form even when placed below freezing temperatures.

Drinks with alcohol in the range of 15 to 40 can turn slushy when placed in the freezer, but they don’t turn solid even if kept for a long time.

Most wines are in the 8–14% range and beer is generally between 10% and 20%.

Most wines have the same alcohol content, but fortified wines have a higher percentage of spirits in them.

If you want to chill beer for a short time, place it in the freezer for a few minutes, while a bottle of wine should be placed in the freezer for no more than two hours.

There are other examples of alcohol that are based on evidence.

  • 40 proof alcohol (20% ABV) – fortified wines like Port, Madeira, Vermouth, Sherry, Marsala
  • 64 proof alcohol (32% ABV) – some lower ABV gins and brandy,
  • 80 proof alcohol (40% ABV) – cognac, whiskey, rum, tequila, vodka

You can enjoy them frozen cold if you reduce the amount of alcohol in your drink.

Is It Possible to Freeze Alcohol into Popsicles?

Popsicles can be frozen with alcohol incorporated into them. It is possible to work with clear spirits such as gin, tequila, or vodka.

You need to mix your spirit with other liquids such as lemonade, sparkling water, or cola to make these popsicles.

It’s possible to base your combination on your favorite mixes, such as Rum and Cola, Gin and Tonic, and many others.

For a more defined texture, you can add other solids or fruits. One part of the spirit and five parts of the other liquid are used for the general dilution.

Once done, you can transfer the mixture into your molds and freeze them for a few hours.

Depending on how fast you want it to freeze or how alcoholic you prefer the cubes, you can play with the dilution.

If you want it to turn into a block, you need to keep the content to less than 15 percent. They will never turn solid if you put them in the freezer for a long period.

Does Freezing Alcohol Make It More Stronger?

The alcohol content from a lower-proof alcoholic beverage can be squeezed if it is frozen. Although there was no change in the alcohol content, it may taste a little stronger.

To maintain the proof, you need to drink the ice and get the alcohol back to its original content.

Practically no change will be noted for higher proof alcohol as they tend to remain in a full liquid state even in a sub-zero environment.

You still get to enjoy the full goodness of the alcohol but cold, which may be nice on a warm day to loosen up.

Freezer Defrost

How Long Is It Possible to Keep Alcohol in the Freezer?

It’s not a good idea to keep them in the freezer for barrel-aged beverages like wine or whiskey.

If you prefer them ice-cold, Popping them in the freezer may make them more acceptable. Don’t keep them in the freezer for an extended period.

In case you don’t remember, low-proof alcohol tends to solidify quickly. If they are kept in the freezer for a long period, and exploded can or broken bottle can happen.

The freezer temperature will not solidify higher proof alcohol so it may be kept in the freezer for an indefinite period.

It is possible to change the consistency by keeping them too long. It may be a good idea to store them in the freezer for one month.

How Can I Defrost Alcohol?

When alcohol is placed in the freezer, not all of it will need to be refrigerated.

If you have a frozen alcohol drink in your freezer, you can thaw it by taking it out and putting it in the fridge at room temperature.

It should be placed in the fridge while it thaws. It will not be a problem since you have it inside a sealed container.

It won’t be bad to drink it frozen since the components aren’t altered, it will just taste slightly different.

Conclusion

If you don’t have a freezer that can go below -400F, then you can freeze alcohol into ice cubes. It is not likely for most home freezers because alcohol has a very low freezing point.

The proof is indicated in the bottle and it is the ultimate guide to how well it can freeze.

When alcohol 40 proof and above is placed in the freezer, it won’t turn into a solid substance, but mixing them into concoctions can get the job done.

It is possible to enjoy them as cubes or popsicles.

Similar Posts