Silicone Ice Ball Mould, Round Whisky Ice Cube Maker

A sphere has less surface area than any other shape of the same volume, which is the entire reason bartenders use them. A round ice ball chills a drink just as fast and then melts far more slowly than cubes, so the last mouthful of a whisky still tastes like whisky rather than water.

The mould is flexible silicone with a funnel opening, so you fill it without a mess and the finished ball pops out by flexing the shell rather than running it under a tap and losing half of it. Silicone releases cleanly, does not hold onto the smell of whatever was in the freezer beside it, and goes in the dishwasher. Because the ball forms in an enclosed cavity rather than an open tray, it comes out genuinely round rather than flat and frosted on top.

Take a single mould if you want one good ball for an evening drink, or the four-piece set if you host. Available in blue, pink, purple, yellow and a mixed set. Works for whisky, negronis, old fashioneds, iced coffee and, in summer, water that stays cold for an hour.

• Material: flexible food-grade silicone, dishwasher safe
• Shape: round sphere with a funnel fill opening
• Sets: single mould or 4-piece set
• Colours: Blue, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Mixed
• Why spheres: less surface area, slower melt, less dilution
• Best for: whisky, cocktails and iced coffee