Chilled Drink Calculator
Quickly determine how much ice is required to drop beverages to the perfect serving temperature.
Total drink volume
2.13 L
2130 ml
Ice needed
1.14 lbs
519 g
Estimated chill time
10 min
With regular stirring in an ice bath
How to Use This Calculator
Log your drink quantities
Enter how many servings you need and the volume per serving (cans, bottles, or pitchers).
Set starting and target temperatures
Use room temperature or storage temperature as your starting point, and your desired serving temperature.
Prep the right amount of ice
Gather the recommended ice weight, fill a cooler or sink, and stir occasionally for faster cooling.
Formula
Q = mdrink × cwater × ΔT
Ice mass = Q ÷ (Lfusion + cice × ΔTice)
Example: 6 × 355 ml cans, 75°F down to 40°F → Need ~5.3 lbs of ice to chill quickly.
Assumptions: Drinks have similar heat capacity to water and ice melts completely during chilling.
Full Description
The Chilled Drink Calculator uses thermodynamics to estimate the energy required to cool beverages and how much ice you need to absorb that heat. This saves time and ensures guests enjoy drinks at their ideal temperature without guesswork.
The tool assumes beverages have the same specific heat as water. That’s a fair approximation for soda, beer, wine, and most cocktails. Since ice must first warm to 32°F and then melt, we account for both the latent heat of fusion and any pre-chilling from subfreezing ice.
Helpful scenarios
- Planning parties or events where drinks start at room temperature.
- Batch chilling before stocking coolers or portable bars.
- Estimating ice needs for outdoor gatherings or camping trips.
- Preparing rapid chill baths for wine bottles or keg growlers.
For faster results, use an ice bath with water (improves contact), stir or rotate bottles every few minutes, and keep the cooler lid closed. Add extra ice if drinks are sugary or in thicker glass bottles, which store more heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does salt make ice baths faster?
Yes. Adding salt lowers the freezing point, allowing the ice bath to drop below 32°F and chill drinks faster.
What if I use freezer packs?
They have different heat capacities. Treat them like ice for rough estimates, but have spare packs on hand.
Can I chill with a refrigerator instead?
Refrigerators cool slowly. Use this calculator to pre-chill with ice, then transfer to the fridge for maintenance.
How accurate is the time estimate?
It's a rough guide. Stirring, container material, and ambient temperature all affect chill time. Monitor and adjust.