How to Keep the Fizz in Your Drink When Pouring Over Ice

by Caitlin

My husband has said that living with me is like living with a G-rated drug addict (an analogy that I hope you'll forgive and that I promise is tongue-in-cheek): He finds paraphernalia all over the house and I have nearly uncontrollable cravings that should be addressed quickly before things get ugly. But it's not white powder I crave: It's fizz.

Fizzy, clear, bubbly, cold, delicious sparkling water.

There are often several bottles in our fridge, but in a pinch I might have to grab a warm one out of the pack. I hate to do this, though, because as soon as the drink goes over the ice it starts to fizz like mad and by the time it settles down it's flat. By then, why bother?

My husband has saved the day (as he is wont to do), though, and my addiction to The Juice shall live on, un-threatened by a lack of pre-chilled bottles! So, how to keep your fizzy drinks from out-fizzing themselves over ice?

Wet the cubes first.

Have you noticed that the fizz stays for a second round of drink if you refill your glass? That's because the beverage has smoothed out the microscopic surface of the ice, which means there are fewer nucleation sites. In other words, there are fewer places for the CO2 to cling and make bubbles. Or something something blah blah science.

So! Rinse your ice cubes with cold water, drain the water out (stick your hand over the top of the glass and strain it loosely through your fingers. No need to get fancy. Just don't let your company see), and then pour your beverage over those beautiful, cold cubes while preserving every last thirst-quenching bubble. Voila!

(Pretend this glass has ice in it. THAT'S what your drink will look like. QUENCHING!)

 Photo from wisegeek.com.

Comments

[Jennifer Valliere]

Oh my! I am a total sparkling water addict! This is some of the best news! i have resigned to dring it warm many a day due to carbonation loss. Caitlin, your husband is a genius and I love him forever! :)

[Rebecca (Bearca)]

I can't wait to try this with my beloved Diet Coke. Which my husband calls my "dark, carbonated mistress." (HA)

[Tessie]

WHHHAAAT, this is science! I love it!

We always (ALWAYS) have club soda in various versions because the offical drink of 2012 is tequila and soda with lime. Speaking of which, we've been on a Svedka kick ever since your Value Vodka post, so how's about a similar tequila post, mmmkay? xo

[tinktrace13]

Sing it with me! Bill Nye the Science Guy! Bill! Bill! Bill!

[Husband]

More like, Zach Brown the Science Clown! Zach! Zach! Zach!

[Sarah Anne @fear-no-food.net]

I understand if we can't be friends after this admission, but...

I pour things VIGOROUSLY over massive amounts of ice cubes, on PURPOSE, to mellow out the bubbles and fizz. Gingerale without de-fizzing? Too much for my delicate, squishy shnozz. Pellegrino sans de-bubbling ice cubes? Too snap, crackle and poppy for me.

So, are we through?

Side note: Your husband is a genius.