03-03-2025
Dubai: Dh249 for six cubes? World's 'purest ice' chills drinks in UAE
Carved out of a glacier in Greenland, the world's 'purest ice' has found its way into drinks in Dubai after an epic journey of 20,000km. Harvested from glaciers that formed over 100,000 years in Greenland, the ice will soon be available for private purchase, priced at a cool Dh249 for six cubes.
Taken from a 22-tonne crystal-clear block that broke away from a glacier, the ice is processed and produced at Natural Ice factory in Al Quoz. The demand for the glistening cubes has been 'high' since the block reached Dubai shores in January last year, according to Ahmad al Mazrooei co-owner of the factory.
Enquiries have come from top entrepreneurs and high-net worth individuals, he added.
Delivered in a triangular box in the colours of the sky, the packaging of Arctic Ice cubes is just as unique. Samir Ben Tabib, chairman, international relations at Arctic Ice, said he spent almost a year perfecting it.
'Until now, our focus has been on exclusive membership clubs, but we are now expanding to private sales. To mark this new chapter, we are introducing special Ramadan gift boxes — an elegant and meaningful way to share our ice with loved ones.'
The ice cubes by Arctic Ice will also be used in a series of special cocktails served up by Dubai restaurant Nahaté. Developed as part of an ultra-luxurious menu at Nahaté, the drinks are expected to cost between Dh300 and Dh700, compared to the current menu where the drinks range from Dh100 to Dh200.
'We saw very strong interest (in the market) and were approached by many restaurants,' said Samir. 'We picked Nahaté because we felt they really understood our premium product and worked diligently with it.'
A fine-dining restaurant located in DIFC, the restaurant has a Baccarat Chef's table, which can be booked for a private party for 10 people for Dh35,000.
The restaurant also has the first-ever Jacob & Co. private lounge, in partnership with the famous American watch brand. The lounge, which seats 40 people and can be converted into a standing party area for 100, costs Dh150,000 to book during off-peak hours.
Premium drinks
The beverage and marketing director at the restaurant, Andrey Bolshakov, was tasked with developing the special cocktail menu with the glacier ice cubes. Four of his drinks were inspired by Baccarat while six honour Jacob & Co. watches. One of them - Astronomia - is inspired by a watch of the same name and is served in a blue Baccarat cocktail glass that costs over Dh1,000.
According to Andrey, working with the ice cubes has been a 'special' experience.
'I have created cocktails all over the world but what I really loved about the idea of the Arctic Ice cubes is how pure and untouched it was,' he said. 'About 95 per cent of cocktails are served with ice and its quality impacts our drinks. Our guests will even hear the crackle as these pieces melt in their glasses.'
He was so impressed with the idea of the glacier ice cubes that he lugged two large boxes to Monaco to serve in premium cocktails at the F1 Grand Prix in May last year. 'I was questioned extensively on why I was taking ice from Dubai to Monaco,' chuckled Andrey. 'But when I finally served the drinks to my customers, I told them that the ice in it could be over 100,000 years old. It was mind-blowing. You enjoy things more when you understand it.'
The company says the ice cubes have 'little to no taste', ensuring it doesn't alter the flavour of beverages as it melts. It also claims that the structure makes it last longer in drinks.
Samir added that the response from everyone who has tried the drinks has been encouraging. 'They have all loved it,' he said. 'The responses have been much more encouraging than I imagined.'
How the ice came to be
Samir shared that it was an accident that inspired him to come up with the idea of shipping ice blocks from Greenland. 'Their boat crashed into a block of ice,' he said.
'The glacier was so pure that they did not see it. That is when I thought it might be an idea to remove some of the chunks of ice broken away from the big glacier. It would make the waters safer for the locals and would be a great business idea as well.'
He said he did not think of any other place but the UAE to start the venture because of the support it offers to entrepreneurs and unique ideas. 'The support that you get here is second to none in the world.
'I grew up in Denmark, where we were raised with the idea of the American Dream. Today, that dream is found in Dubai — home to the best entrepreneurs in the region, setting the gold standard for global business.'
