Overhead view of a glass containing a dark beverage and large, clear Hoshizaki square ice cubes
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If you want ice, you need to know about Hoshizaki square cube ice from the IM series. Hoshizaki square cube ice is really clear. It melts very slowly. This makes it look great in drinks. People sometimes call Hoshizaki square cube ice "craft cocktail ice" because it is perfect for making drinks. Hoshizaki square cube ice can make drinks taste better, help servers work faster, and make customers happy. The Hoshizaki IM Series is also very reliable, which is what you expect from a Hoshizaki ice maker. The Hoshizaki ice maker is something you can count on.

 

Ice Properties

 

Crystal-clear clarity

The square cube ice is really clear and nice to look at. They make each Hoshizaki IM cube in its special mold. This helps get rid of the air and bad stuff that can make the ice look cloudy. So you get these cubes that are perfect for fancy drinks, like premium spirits and cocktails.

 

Slow-melting density

Square ice cubes melt more slowly than the crescent or small cube ice. A lot of bars that make drinks and nice restaurants like to use square ice cubes because of this.

 

Consistent cube shape

The IM Series cubes are really different from ice or the ice you get from a machine. They are all the right size for measuring out the right amount of ice for each drink. 

 

Ideal Venues

 

Craft cocktail bars

If you own a bar that makes drinks, square ice cubes are the way to go. Square ice cubes are great for bars that want to make an impression with their drinks. Square ice cubes make everything look nice and clean.

 

Hotels, lounges, and premium venues

People who go to places want their drinks to look nice. Using ice cubes is a good idea because it helps the people serving the drinks do their job better without taking too much time.

 

Coffee and tea shops

Square ice cubes look really nice in cups; they make the drink look more fancy. So using ice cubes is a good idea for cold brew, iced lattes, and premium teas.

 

Fine dining and chef-driven restaurants

Ice cubes that are square are really good for drinks that you want to look fancy and taste the same every time. Square ice cubes are perfect for a consistent beverage selection.

 

Alternatives when needed

If you do not really need cubes, you should think about crescent ice, like the kind you get from a (see KM Edge series), cubelet ice (cubelet machines), or flaked ice (flakers).

 

Model Families

 

Hoshizaki IM Series (premium square cubes)

The IM Series is made to be clear and consistent. Each cube is made in its special mold. A lot of bars want machines that look good and work well, so they often choose the IM Series. The IM Series is a choice for bars because it is reliable.

 

Undercounter IM units

For bars or coffee shops that do not have a lot of space, the undercounter IM models are really good. They make quality square cubes of ice, and you do not need a separate bin to store the ice. The undercounter IM models are quiet when they are working.

 

Modular IM units with bins

Big places like venues or busy bars really need some help with ice when it gets crowded. They can use these units that can be connected together, and they have big bins that can hold a lot of ice.

 

Sizing

 

Estimate daily drink volume

The demand for square cubes varies based on the beverage program style:

• Craft cocktail bar: 3–5 lbs per cocktail

• Hotel lobby bar: 1.5–2 lbs per guest

• Coffee/tea shop: 1–1.5 lbs per drink

• Restaurant bar: 2–3 lbs per seat

 

Account for melt and storage

Square cubes take up more space than crescent cubes. So you should pick a bin that's the right size for the total volume of the cubes and the shape of the cubes.

 

Use a calculator for precision

To get the size, you should use the Size Calculator. This tool is really helpful because it makes sure the amount of drinks you make is just right for the space you have to store them.

 

Care

 

Water quality affects clarity

Square cubes are really clear, so we need to make sure the water is clean. We have to get rid of the minerals and bad stuff that can make the water look cloudy. You should look at the water filters we have; they are in our water filter collection.

 

Routine cleaning protects cube quality

Scale buildup can really mess with the clarity of the ice cubes. How fast they are made. If you clean the machine on a regular basis, it will work better and last longer.

 

Monitor airflow and environment

Square cube machines need air to flow through them all the time. We also need to give the square cube machine space around it. This way it can keep working and give us steady output from the square cube machine.

 

Explore matching models: see our collections and use the Size Calculator.

Square Cube Ice: When to Choose Hoshizaki IM Series Square Cube

Intro

If you’re exploring premium ice options, understanding Hoshizaki square cube ice, IM series square cube benefits is essential. Square cubes—sometimes called “craft cocktail ice”—offer exceptional clarity, slow melt, and a high-end presentation that elevates every drink. For bars, coffee shops, hotels, and fine dining venues, choosing the right ice type influences beverage quality, speed of service, and customer experience. The Hoshizaki IM Series produces crystal-clear square ice that matches the expectations of modern beverage programs while ensuring the reliability operators expect from a Hoshizaki ice maker.

Ice Properties

Crystal-clear clarity

One of the defining features of square cube ice is its optical clarity. The Hoshizaki IM cube is formed in individual molds, allowing air and impurities to be flushed out. This results in transparent cubes perfect for premium spirits, cocktails, and drinks where presentation matters.

Slow-melting density

Square cubes melt more slowly than standard crescent or cubelet ice. This keeps drinks colder for longer without rapid dilution. Craft bars and high-end restaurants often choose square ice for precisely this reason.

Consistent cube shape

Unlike machine chips or irregular ice, IM Series cubes are uniform, improving portion control and offering predictable drink performance. This consistency supports efficient beverage production during busy service hours.

Ideal Venues

Craft cocktail bars

Square cubes are a standard in mixology programs. Their clarity improves the visual profile of whiskey pours, stirred cocktails, and high-end mixed drinks. If your bar focuses on craft cocktail ice, square cubes are the ideal match.

Hotels, lounges, and premium venues

Guests expect visually appealing drinks in upscale spaces. Square cubes elevate service without slowing production, especially when paired with the right IM Series unit.

Coffee and tea shops

Cold brew, iced lattes, and premium teas maintain flavor integrity better with slow-melting cubes. Square cubes also look more premium in clear cups.

Fine dining and chef-driven restaurants

When your menu design is intentional from start to finish, even the ice should reinforce the experience. Square cubes are ideal for a polished, consistent beverage offering.

Alternatives when needed

If square cubes aren’t your main need, consider crescent ice (see KM Edge series), cubelet ice (cubelet machines), or flaked ice (flakers). Each supports different beverage or prep workflows.

Model Families

Hoshizaki IM Series (premium square cubes)

The IM Series is engineered specifically for clarity and consistency. Each cube is formed in its own mold, ensuring identical shape and purity. These machines are favored by bars that need both aesthetics and reliability in their commercial ice equipment.

Undercounter IM units

For small bars or coffee shops with limited space, undercounter IM models provide high-quality square cubes without requiring a separate bin. They are quiet, efficient, and well suited for front-of-house areas.

Modular IM units with bins

Larger venues or high-traffic bars benefit from modular units paired with bins to store more ice during peak periods. This setup prevents shortages even on busy nights.

Sizing

Estimate daily drink volume

Square cube demand varies depending on beverage program style:

  • Craft cocktail bar: 3–5 lbs per cocktail
  • Hotel lobby bar: 1.5–2 lbs per guest
  • Coffee/tea shop: 1–1.5 lbs per drink
  • Restaurant bar: 2–3 lbs per seat

Account for melt and storage

Square cubes take up more space than crescent cubes, so choose a bin that matches both total volume and cube shape. Proper storage ensures cubes stay solid and don’t fuse together.

Use a calculator for precision

To avoid over- or undersizing, use the Size Calculator. It matches production levels with real-world drink volume and available storage space.

Care

Water quality affects clarity

Because square cubes are designed to be crystal clear, good filtration is critical. Proper water filters reduce minerals and impurities that cause cloudiness. Explore filter options in our water filter collection.

Routine cleaning protects cube quality

Scale buildup can affect cube clarity and production. Establishing a regular cleaning schedule ensures reliable performance and long-term machine life.

Monitor airflow and environment

Square cube machines rely on consistent airflow. Keep intake panels unobstructed and ensure the machine has proper clearance to maintain output stability.

Explore matching models: see our collections and use the Size Calculator at /pages/size-calculator.