An ice ball is a large, round piece of ice that melts more slowly than ice cubes. Averaging two inches in diameters, the spherical ice prevents watered-down drinks, so there’s no need to worry about your scotch on the rocks, whiskey and cola, or any other cocktail getting too watery before you’re done with it. Ice balls work best for certain types of drinks and there are a few easy ways that you can make ice balls at home. For the average person, an ice ball mold is the most practical and popular option.

Ice melt is one reason why your homemade drinks may not taste as fresh as bar drinks. The ice served in bars is designed to fill the glass and maximize its capacity. Packing the glass keeps everything cooler longer and slows down melting.