this might be the best pic I have of one of my martini glass ice luges, especially since you can really see how the tubing goes in this pic.
updated 6/24/23 when I added the winter martini glass ice luge version (at the bottom)
a martini glass ice luge for the coolest martinis
You might recognize the similarities of this martini glass ice luge to the martini glass that I posted a while back. In fact, this design was based on that design. This luge is a tube luge, meaning you have to incorporate a vinyl tube into the sculpture for the liquid to be poured through. Take a look at the stars luge entry to get more information on this.
for this ice luge, the drinks go in the top and come out on the front of the glass stem.
use one of these specialty funnels from Ice Crafters at the top of the ice luge.
One important difference between this design and the stars luge is that the liquid comes out the front of the sculpture instead of the bottom. In order that the liquid doesn’t just flow down the front of the ice or shoot straight out onto your guests, some additional plumbing must be added. I extend the tubing out the front of the sculpture slightly and then use a small elbow that turns the flow of liquid back downwards. See a little ways down for a bad photo of this piece of plumbing.
One of the nicer things about these sorts of martini luges is that they don’t require too much ice (1/2 block slab, including the base), they’re easy to move around, they’re not terribly difficult to carve, and they make for a nice presentation.
this design comes from a 40x20x4 inch slab of ice. The rectangle at the bottom of the design is used as the base of the sculpture.
vinyl tubing for the ice luge, as well as a small plastic elbow that redirects the drink’s flow into a waiting glass
to CNC or not to CNC?
Yes, definitely a CNC-worthy piece. I’ll be making all of my martini glass ice luges on my CNC from now on, especially since I have rarely been satisfied at how clean the lines of my hand-sculpted ones have been.
design variations?
Way back at the beginning of December 2008, I thought it would be a good idea to add another martini glass ice luge design that was a little different from the original: it’s for WINTER. But I decided recently that it didn’t deserve it’s own post, so I’ve folded whatever useful info there was in that post into this one.
The trickiest parts of this version are engraving the snowflakes and adding the luge tracks. I tend to use a chainsaw to start engraving the luge track from the back of the sculpture and then use a 1/2” end mill bit on a die grinder to finish off the track. As carefully as possible, I connect the backside luge tracks with the frontside exit holes using the 1/2” end mill again. It’s often better if the frontside exit hole gives the exiting tube and drink a slight downward slant, so start the frontside hole a little low and then drill slightly upwards. The tubing works a little better that way.
this version of my martini glass ice luge has a winter touch, and 2 luge tubes, at a bride’s request. But note that the stem of the glass is a little thicker because it has to hold two tubes now instead of just one.
template shot of the winter martini luge; note the included base at the bottom
If you have any questions about my martini glass ice luge design, email me or comment below. (It might not let you though.) If you would like to use this ice sculpture design or any other design on this site, please check the design usage guidelines. The design collection page lists designs on the site.
You might also find photos and info from this entry on the ice sculpting secrets facebook page and you can comment there as well as below. Thanks!
