9 Best Reusable Ice Cubes UK 2024 | Stainless Steel, Plastic and Stone Options

Instead of water, they are filled with a quick-freeze gel or alcohol, so you’ll only have to wait between 2 and 5 hours before popping them in your drink. An ideal choice for those who often have impromptu parties, a smaller freezer space or those who don’t always remember to prep their ice cubes.

They are not generally marketed at children, most probably due to their suitability to alcoholic drinks. For example, they are best at keeping smaller, already-cold drinks chilled, as the properties of steel mean they will adapt to the temperature of their environment. This also means they won’t do much to bring down hot or warm drinks like coffee or tea.

You’ll be able to pick up a bag of them for a low price, so if budget is your primary deciding factor then this is the material for you. As you might with similar plastic tableware, those concerned about chemicals such as BPAs affecting their health or the taste of their drinks should look for BPA-free plastic cubes.

In terms of freezing time, they are normally just filled with water, so they don’t only look like a normal ice cube, but they freeze like one too. Expect to wait around the same amount of time before you can crack them out, although unlike traditional cubes you could use them in a pinch when they’re half frozen too. On the plus side, out of all our options, they keep drinks icy cold the longest.

They will also add a classy touch to other cocktails or alcoholic tipples that you don’t want watered down, but are better for already-cold drinks or those that you only want to slightly chill. Many people also consider them as a thoughtful gift to a malt lover, or to put on display at home.

They will take around 4-5 hours to freeze, although some manufacturers recommend leaving them in overnight, so it may be wise to double check if you’d prefer less of a wait.