With the city facing rising temperatures this week, bartenders and home hosts are turning to countertop ice makers to keep drinks cold. At a Park Slope cocktail bar on Sunday night, staff said their new compact machine has eased pressure on traditional ice bins during busy shifts. Customers ordering mojitos and whiskey highballs after 9 p.m. noticed a steady supply of pebble ice, the small, chewy kind popular at national chains like Sonic.
In Astoria, a bartender at a rooftop venue described trouble keeping up with ice demand last Friday. A new portable unit behind the bar made it easier to serve chilled spritzes well past midnight. The manager said the decision to purchase the machine came after several weekends of running out of cubes by 11 p.m., especially on humid nights.
Apartment dwellers are also showing interest. At a kitchen supply store on the Lower East Side, a sales clerk reported higher sales of countertop models since Memorial Day. Most customers cited backyard gatherings and rooftop parties as reasons for the sudden demand.
Prices for these machines typically range from $100 to $500, depending on features and ice shape. Some produce nugget-style ice in under 10 minutes, which appeals to cocktail enthusiasts aiming for a specific texture. Retailers expect supplies to remain tight as the summer progresses.
With forecasts calling for continued heat, both professional and home bartenders say they plan to rely on portable ice makers through Labor Day. For New Yorkers hoping to avoid lukewarm drinks at their next gathering, these machines have become a practical investment.