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Finding a CURE for Ordinary Ice
New Orleans Cocktail Bar Owner Wanted “Chips off the Cold Block”

Neal Bodenheimer owner of the New Orleans upscale cocktail bar, CURE, has two stacked KOLD-DRAFT Commercial Ice Machines - saving space and time - which allows him to focus on the finest ingredients, and making distinctive cocktails!

When Neal Bodenheimer first conceived of his upscale cocktail bar, CURE, in New Orleans, he knew he wanted to use ice that bespoke the distinction of his cocktail offerings. He sought large, solid, crystal-clear ice cubes that would mimic chipped or cut block ice. He says, “Our ice needs to be of the highest quality, so that our drinks can be of the highest quality while we still maintain a volume. CURE focuses on hand-crafted cocktails with the finest ingredients and making great experiences for our guests.”

The hefty cubes Bodenheimer envisioned could only come from KOLD-DRAFT®, a half-century-old company that makes ice machines said to produce “The Best Ice in the World.” The 1-1/4-inch full cubes are extra large—one of the largest in the industry—and the only true “square cube.” KOLD-DRAFT ice is known for its perfect shape, purity, hardness, and slower melt rate. That means it not only looks better, but also lasts longer in storage bins, cocktail sinks, and, of course, the carefully crafted cocktails at CURE.

All bars have ice machines, but to Bodenheimer, using only high-quality KOLD-DRAFT ice machines shows his passion for his craft. He credits his KOLD-DRAFT machines with allowing him “to focus on ingredient prep as opposed to ice prep.” He also says he chose KOLD-DRAFT because he feels it’s the best product for higher-volume cocktail bars.

Better ice from better ice machines
Although bar guests generally don’t notice the ice in their drinks, CURE’s customers can’t help but notice their distinctive square cubes, says Bodenheimer. Other ice machines produce ice with odd shapes, which have more surface area and thus melt faster. Because the dense KOLD-DRAFT cubes melt more slowly, that means mixologists like Bodenheimer can count on their signature drinks to taste perfect from first sip to last, without getting watered down. They can also count on KOLD-DRAFT ice machines to last longer than any competitor’s machine and to be energy efficient, using environmentally friendly R-404A refrigerant.

Bodenheimer’s two KOLD-DRAFT GT560 Classic Series machines, stacked one on top of the other to save floor space, produce up to 520 pounds each of ice per day—that’s over 1,000 pounds of ice for his Bog Royales, Colonial Sours, Yerba Agaves, and all of his specialty cocktails, many fashioned from old recipes dating back to the pre-Prohibition era. And further, KOLD-DRAFT equipment also offers some of the best recovery rates in the industry, producing more ice, more often.

Now open for just about a year, CURE has become noted for some of the best cocktails in New Orleans. “Traditionally, cocktail bars have been bastions of civility and sophistication. Our idea at Cure is to reintroduce our guests to another time, when the experience of having a cocktail and a bite to eat was both healthful and enjoyable,” says the CURE web site. As for the ice, well, it’s “nICE” to be noticed.

Why Is KOLD-DRAFT Ice Better?
KOLD-DRAFT ice machines feature a unique “upside-down” horizontal evaporator and water plate assembly. Visualize an upside-down ice cube tray. KOLD-DRAFT uses a similar ice tray, called an evaporator, inverted on top of a molded water plate. The evaporator is refrigerated and has individual ice cube cells. The water plate has a hole corresponding to every cell, through which water is pumped vigorously, injecting it to the top of each cell and down the four sides. As the water is sprayed into the evaporator cells, the pure water freezes first while particulates and air are forced out and dumped at the end of each cycle. This leaves only perfect crystal-clear cubes, nearly as pure as distilled water.

About KOLD-DRAFT

Since 1955, KOLD-DRAFT® has been manufacturing ice machines that make the only true “square cube,” utilizing their exclusive “upside-down” horizontal evaporator ice-making system. KOLD-DRAFT machines produce pure, solid, sparkling ice that cools faster, melts slower, and doesn’t distort the taste of beverages. KOLD-DRAFT machines have a long life cycle and a five-year warranty on all parts and labor, making them one of the least expensive to own. For more information, contact KOLD-DRAFT at 1525 East Lake Rd., Erie, PA 16511-1088. Phone: 814-453-6761. Toll free: 800-840-9577. Fax: 814-455-6336. Toll free fax: 800-548-9392. Web: www.kold-draft.com. E-mail: contact@Kold-Draft.com.