Ice luge

An ice luge, martini luge,^[1] or shooter-block is a type of ice sculpture made from a large block of ice that has a narrow channel carved through where liquid is poured,^[2] such as liquor products.^[3] Some are professionally produced from sculpturing or from molds, and some are homemade. Ice luges are sometimes offered in ice bars, and have also been used for serving oysters. Ice luges have also been described as a type of drinking game.^[3]^[4]

Etymology[edit]

The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang and Unconventional English defines Ice luge as "a block of ice used in a drinking game in which a shot of vodka, tequila, or other alcoholic drink is poured down the ice into the drinker's mouth."^[4]

Composition and production[edit]

An ice luge can be carved from a block of ice^[2] or cast from a mold.^[5] Some designs incorporate the use of a tube that exists within an ice sculpture.^[1] Companies that create ice sculptures may purvey ice luges,^[6] and some ice companies also create and sell custom designs.^[1] Ice luges can also be homemade,^[1] and molds are available to consumers for doing so.^[1]^[5]

Uses[edit]

Typically liquor, such as vodka,^[7] is poured into a channel at the top of the luge and dispensed at the bottom of the channel, either into the mouth of a participant or a glass.^[2] There is a possibility that vodka may be diluted with water when ice luges are used^[7] (along with other beverages). Martinis and champagne are also sometimes chilled and served using ice luges.^[8]^[9]^[10] They're sometimes utilized in ice bars, which are drinking establishments made primarily of ice.^[11] Ice luges have also been used for the consumption of oysters.^[12]

Gallery[edit]

Party goers drinking from ice luges (2003)
Jägermeister being poured down ice luges (2002)
Absolut Vodka being served through ice luges (2006)

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Smith, Dan (2011). Talk with Your Mouth Full: The Hearty Boys Cookbook. Agate Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 978-1572846821. Retrieved 3 March 2013. ice luge, martini.
^ ^a ^b ^c Garlough, Robert; Finch, Randy C.; Maxfield, Derek (2004). Ice Sculpting the Modern Way. Cengage Learning. p. 129. ISBN 1401804055. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
^ ^a ^b Martirano, Ron (2007). Between the Sheets and Under the Table: The Ultimate Guide to Adult Games. Sterling Publishing Company. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-1402746840. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
^ ^a ^b Ice luge. The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang and Unconventional English. 2009. ISBN 9780415371827. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
^ ^a ^b Daly, Melissa (2011). 87 Ways to Throw a Killer Party. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. pp. 114–115. ISBN 978-0547687278. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
^ "Vodka & Ice Luges". www.glacialart.com. Glacial Art. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
^ ^a ^b Ermochkine, Nicholas; Iglikowski, Peter (2004). 40 Degrees East: An Anatomy of Vodka. Nova Publishers. p. 37. ISBN 1590335945. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
^ Lata Rung, Jennifer (2006). The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride, 2nd Edition. Penguin. p. 52. ISBN 1592574726. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
^ Stilphen, Matthew (February 12, 2013). "Flavors of Freeport offers town's tastiest". Tri-Town Weekly (Freeport, Maine). Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
^ The Best that Money can Buy. Atlanta Magazine. October 2006. p. 102. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
^ Keyes, Bob (February 15, 2013). "Ice bars become cool way to enjoy Maine winters". Maine Sunday Telegram. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
^ Jacobsen, Jacobsen (2010). A Geography of Oysters: The Connoisseur's Guide to Oyster Eating in North America. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. (unlisted). ISBN 978-1596918146. Retrieved 3 March 2013.