How to freeze beer quickly: the bar trick that not many people know works in 5 minutes

Forget ice alone. To speed up the cooling process, the secret lies in the combination of ice, water and coarse (or table) salt. It really works and has a scientific explanation.

• Water increases the contact of the cold with the entire surface of the can or bottle, unlike ice alone, which touches only a few points.
• The salt lowers the freezing point of the water, leaving the mixture colder than 0 °C without freezing, which speeds up heat exchange.
• This makes the beer cool up to 4x faster than with ice alone.

1. Take a bucket, basin or any deep container.
2. Add plenty of ice (the more the better).
3. Add cold water until the cans or bottles are covered.
4. Mix in about 3 tablespoons of coarse salt.
5. Immerse the drinks and wait 3 to 7 minutes, depending on how cold you want it.

• With a wet paper towel: wrap the beer in a damp paper towel and put it in the freezer for 10 minutes. Works well, but requires attention to avoid freezing.
• With a tea towel: the same trick as above works with a wet tea towel (ideal for long neck bottles).
• Used the trick and have ice water left over? Throw it or use it to chill other drinks!