Why All the Best Cocktail Bars in NYC Buy Their Ice From Richard Boccato- Vendors 

As a professional woodworker, I'm a bit jealous of this idea ! Your materials come from a hose, not huge planks. What you make will disappear and your customer will be back next day, not in 10-20 years. I'd also trade wood dust to cold environment. This is brilliant !

I cant believe i just watched a 14 minute video on ice Absolutely incredible

I have never given ice this much thought before. Temper it so it doesn’t crack, cloudy vs clear, oxygen bubbles…. these people really know their craft and it’s inspiring! They seem to really love and take pride in what they do!

“Harvesting our ice” 😂

For me, Richard is the ultimate definition of an entrepreneur. He's always talking about the end product, the best possible cocktail for the customer to enjoy. I very much respect him and his whole attitude.

Damn this guy really worked in some of the best bars of the cocktail Renaissance and then turned around and started a business on the most universal ingredient of a bar. I'd loved to meet him some day

My first real cocktail experience was with an old fashioned at Dutch Kills. This was about 10 years ago and I still remember my bartender’s name (Abraham), I still remember the beautiful mahogany booths leading into the back bar, and I still remember seeing the bartenders working with the tempered ice and being blown away by how meticulous they were with every step of the process. Never even thought of where that ice might have actually come from, so cool to see the origin story of that ice.

I love your diligence as well as the pride you exhibit in you crystal clear ice. You care and it shows in your cocktail delivery.

I thought it was silly at first, but I couldn't stop watching, I ended up admiring this man and his craftsmanship. Great work

For anyone wondering, a 2'' cube does cost $0.70 a piece (sold in a 50-pack), a sphere costs $4 (prices from 2013).

This man would be successful at anything he wants. Applying the principle of "perfection" is an admirable trait.

Great to see someone paying attention to detail and the quality of their product and not just their bottom line

I didn't care about cocktails but I have suddenly gained a huge respect for these artists for their dedication and excellence

What a guy and he pays respect to those who helped him along the way!

I love this approach to no waste. Real quality product. The restaurant I work at has their logo engraved into the ice.

So much respect that he calls his employees by their names. I've seen so many of these wherw they say "this worker". Respect

Humans are so funny. "I couldn't possibly drink this--the ice is cloudy!"

Richard is absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing this. 🙌🙌🙌

This is the BEST TIME to be alive. Witnessing all this. What a treat.

I started making my own clear ice at home about a year ago for my home bar and it absolutely makes a difference. I've almost become a snob about friggin ice as crazy as that sounds.

Also massive props to those guys for working entire shifts in sub-zero freezers- working in a grocery store I can attest that no matter how well you think you handle the cold, you try doing any manual labor in there and you just want to die. Couldn't imagine going all day in there.

What an amazing find. So much respect for this guy.

One of the best drinks I've had in years was at Fresh Kills in Williamsburg which I just learned is owned by Richard and a couple partners! It was served over crushed ice, so unfortunately I didnt get the chance to admire this handiwork, but the cocktail was absolutely excellent. The bar's vibe was amazing, it was hip and cool without being clubby or overly romantic. You could easily stop in for a drink and enjoy yourself, or bring a couple friends, or bring a date. The only pretense was an appreciation of good drinks.

Never had a cocktail a day in my life…still watched this video all the way through. Nothing like watching someone who is not only good at what they do but also loves what they do.

It's something about seeing someone, anyone passionate about what they're doing. It truly makes a world of difference.

He's a craftsman. He clearly cares about giving the best cocktail experience for customers. down to the ice. If I would want a drink, I'd go visit this man. Would definitely be worth it

What an amazing find. So much respect for this guy.. We appreciate Eater for their hard work and consistency. God bless them..

There is something very satisfying about watching ice being carved up. Also the cocktails being made with the finished product. And a great guy. Thanks for making this.

when he sticks his hand in to show the ice clarity, I was really impressed

This was amazing!! Thanks so much for making this video.

A bar I went to served drinks in small cups made from crystal clear ice. Was fantastic!

Man....NYC Italians are just on another level, they have standards no other tribe, not even Germans can touch, I am just in awe of this TECHNICALITY to quality, he's a mechanic.

I don't drink cocktails,nor working as bartender,but every video that eater uploaded,never disappoint me.great job 👍

Very interesting video. amazing how even something as humble as ice has been turned into a fancy product.

Fascinating, had no idea about fancy ice production. Thank you for posting.

In culinary school i learned the art of ice sculpture. The 300 lb clinebell blocks have to be tempered before carving. When working outside of a walk-in refrigerated room, ice needs to be stored in the shade at room temperature for about an hour. The block will be frosted when exposed to room temperature and you wait till block becomes crystal clear. Test with a razor sharp chisel by pushing blade and if ice cuts effortlessly like wax it's ready to carve. Otherwise if ice is not tempered it could potentially shatter with the vibration of a chainsaw. To make a carving jig or template measure out the dimensions of long side of block onto white butcher paper. Draw the design you want then cut out the isolated outline of design and apply the paper template onto wet ice surface like a decal. Use an ice pick to scratch the outline of design them remove paper. Now your ready to use a chain saw to cut away the bulk pieces. Make sure to scratch lines onto the areas to be removed just as you do in carpentry. Electric chainsaws (I learned with a corded chainsaw before lithium ion batteries) are the best less noise, no exhaust fumes etc. Have a set of razor sharp wood chisels a chocolate/ice chipper and a cannister butane torch (Iwatani) for smoothing chisel surface when finished. Liquor luges can be made using cylinder drill bits with extention shaft. Buy copper tubing and cut teeth into one end with Dremel tool and attach other end to wood dowel to electric drill. Make sure for your sculpture has a drain system to account for thawing. You can make one cutting a Rubbermaid tall square sided trash basket down the side to get two equal halves and bolt together with silicone caulking.

Fascinating. I remember visiting Kyoto in Japan, and discovering the "whisky bar" in the hotel we stayed at. We popped in during the afternoon to see two young chaps chipping away and making what looked like tennis ball-sized ice balls. Incredibly labour intensive, but you know the Japanese attention to detail. The drill press looks easier.

Its so pure and mesmerising.

This guy deserves Respect for what he has accomplished.

Dude this is the best thing I’ve seen all week. Mad props to this dude and his crew. Different form of art and I love it!

I like this guy's chill attitude. I think he has a cool job.

I love people who take a seemingly mundane and everyday thing and turn it into art

This is crazy how they are able to preserve it all the way into the bars. The slightest melting during the shipping process = all cubes are now 1 giant cube

Shows how much Care something as Humble as Ice is given.

This dude is making $3M+++ per year selling frozen water and I LOVE IT!!! Keep up your grind!

Thank you, RU-vid recommendations, for showing me this Absolutely Gem of a video. 👍

You are the definition of what keeps New York interesting!

WOW, that was GENIUS! It's so cool to see that there is ART IN EVERYTHING, if one cares to do things to the utmost.

I am just a pipe welder, but I am a pipe welder for a major refrigeration company. I can say with all honesty that it takes a great deal of energy, electrical power, to chill water. Water is very dense, so it takes a lot of negative BTU's to bring it from 55 degrees of cold tap water, down to below 32 degrees. So, if you are ever in a bar that sells ice of this quality, pre-chilled glasses etc, and then you see the price the business is charging for their drinks ...they have to, based on their refrigeration bill alone.

Wow, such beauty and craftsmanship! Regards from Baltimore.

This is a really cool job and what a great way to set a standard and be a part of that process that makes a drink really come together. I like that a lot.

These guys had my mouth watering, and I don't do cocktails, but most if those end product had time care and attention to detail wow

This is very cool. The explanation behind why you should have a clear ice is fascinating

So intresting and watched till the last second . Great work

Totally appreciate the hard work and passion of creating a superior cocktail.

This is amazing not just a supplier but also a consumer

Very enjoyable video. Thank you!

One of the best videos on RU-vid that I have watched until today 🙂

Bro saw a marketing opportunity and nailed it.

We appreciate Eater for their hard work and consistency. God bless them.

Living in Alaska, I enjoy going to a glacier and grabbing some ice that's thousands of years old for my drinks. Helps me appreciate things.

Fascinating to watch this as a total nerd who've never ordered any cocktail in a bar and generally doesn't drink alcohol (except when I'm "forced" on workplace gatherings)

Awesome to see more bar content on here!

A family member came home with a bunch of super solid ice from Antarctica a few years back! It made all sorts of sounds in our drinks as it first went in haha

So much effort for something ill finish in less than a minute, I love it😎

I was surprised the large plates did not fuse together when he stacked them on the table. Usually ice would fuse together, even at sub-zero temperatures, due to pressure.

Anyone that is a perfectionist, gets my respect.

I never knew this much went into a good cocktail, this is incredible a true master of his craft

6:13 the little trap door mechanism for dropping down the ice spheres is so simple and elegant at the same time.

These cubes are beautifully clear but so big.I've had drinks with larger spheres and blocks but never that size-they'd fill the whole glass before putting in any drink.

I like how he turned into Rico suave at end

I love Eater for the crystal clear videos...

Ive been able to achieve clear ice in very limited quantities with those travel coffee mugs. I love the way it looks, and stays longer. The clear ice that is

Masterpiece cocktails! Outstanding...

I didn't even know there was a such thing as cocktail ice, I love ice I eat a lot it lol & I loved learning about it. Great video.

This is why at the right spot I don’t mind spending $20+ on a cocktail. Artists are involved in every step of the process.

This is so zen, love the obsession

Very interesting. Never thought making ice could become an art form 👍🏻

New York City tap water comes from a reservoir that I used to swim in called the West Branch truly some of the cleanest water

The best thing in Him is he used to worked as Bartender. And those can become a reference for him while making ice. And his willingness to learn from other people... Makes me admiring him more.

Browsing the restaurants/bars he mentions and it's neat spotting their ice cubes in some of the photos.

So these are the guys responsible for my cocktails lasting 2 sips

I business I would have never imagined existed, but they've been around for a decade. Pretty cool, love this city.

excellent piece. Cheers!

wow that was very interesting, didn't know so much could go into ice!

Such a fascinating business. How do you even get started with an idea like this!? Super inspiring

What is the craziest part for me was the transformation from him being in the ice box working to him behind the counter. He looked like a blue collar worker but complete transformation which I wasn't expecting.

I love the science and was somewhat a cocktail nerd. But something hit me when seeing the huge array and creativity in cocktails... It's way more an art than anything. There is so much that's arbitrary and imprecise and improvised. And there is beauty in that was well. I appreciate this whole thing with perfect ice, ultimately, why do it? Well, bc people pay for that percent of perfection. Fun to think about.

Great behind the scenes episode!

When he dipped his hand into the tub...yeah, that was impressive.

Been making my own clear ice for awhile now as a former bartender. Will have to try the sphere with my drill press. Thanks!

This is the coolest video i've seen in a long time.

Ive had his ice. It was noticable clear in my drink. So clear i made a mental note of it to look into later.

“What do you do for a living?” “I clean up ice cubes”

This is great idea. Beautiful and clean job. Congratulations on your success!!

Damn. It's so inspiring to see a passionate artist and businessman who cares so much about his craft. Incredible.

My mind is blown. What a guy!

When he first mentioned ice harvesting, I was reminded of the Japanese natural ice harvesting. Then going into the video and he said he learned about ice from the Japanese next door, I was like I knew it, the Japanese 😆

I always hated ice in beer. But in Vietnam they have a ice cube the length of a glass with a hole down the middle. It works great and doesn't make the beer watery.

Larger ice in the cup, less content in the drink. Totally worth the price for the bars.