Dubai : In a city known for its ultra-luxurious lifestyle, the latest premium product making waves is glacier ice from Greenland, priced at Dh249 for just six cubes. Sourced from glaciers formed over 100,000 years ago, this exclusive ice has traveled 20,000 km to reach Dubai, where it is now available for private purchase and premium dining experiences.
From Greenland to Dubai: The Journey of ‘Arctic Ice’
The ice, harvested from a 22-tonne crystal-clear block, is processed at the Natural Ice factory in Al Quoz. According to Ahmad Al Mazrooei, co-owner of the factory, demand has been high since the shipment arrived in January last year, with interest primarily coming from entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.
The cubes are packaged in a triangular box in sky tones, designed after a year of development, as revealed by Samir Ben Tabib, chairman of international relations at Arctic Ice.
Exclusive Luxury Meets Fine Dining
Arctic Ice is also making its way into Dubai’s most luxurious restaurants, including Nahaté, where a new range of cocktails featuring the glacier ice is priced between Dh300 and Dh700. The restaurant, located in DIFC, is renowned for its Baccarat Chef’s Table experience, which costs Dh35,000 for a private dining party of ten.
Nahaté also features the world’s first Jacob & Co. private lounge, where bookings range up to Dh150,000 for exclusive events. The partnership between luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co. and Nahaté aims to provide an elite experience where drinks served with the purest ice complement the prestige of fine watch craftsmanship.
Why Glacier Ice? The Science Behind the Craze
According to Andrey Bolshakov, beverage director at Nahaté, the purity of Arctic Ice cubes enhances cocktail experiences.
“About 95% of cocktails are served with ice, and its quality impacts flavor. Our guests will even hear the crackle as these pieces melt in their glasses,” he said.
Bolshakov was so impressed with the ice that he personally flew two large boxes to Monaco to use in cocktails at the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
“I was questioned about why I was bringing ice from Dubai to Monaco,” he laughed. “But when customers learned they were drinking from 100,000-year-old ice, they were mind-blown.”
The company claims the ice has “little to no taste”, allowing beverages to retain their original flavor. Additionally, its unique crystal structure helps it melt slower than regular ice, making it an ideal choice for premium drinks.
A Business Born From an Accident
Interestingly, the inspiration behind Arctic Ice came from an unexpected event. Samir Ben Tabib shared that the idea struck him when a boat accidentally crashed into a glacier in Greenland.
“The glacier was so pure that it was invisible in the water, leading to the collision,” he explained.
Realizing the potential, Samir decided to harvest broken glacier chunks, both to enhance maritime safety and to introduce a unique business concept. Dubai was his natural choice for launching the venture due to its entrepreneurial ecosystem and support for innovation.
“I grew up in Denmark, where we were raised with the idea of the American Dream. But today, that dream is found in Dubai, which has become the gold standard for global business,” he said.
Luxury Ice: A Growing Trend in Dubai?
With high-profile interest and exclusive partnerships, Arctic Ice is redefining luxury in the beverage industry. Whether as a gift box for Ramadan or an elite cocktail experience, the market for premium ice in Dubai is heating up.
While some may find Dh249 for six ice cubes extravagant, for Dubai’s elite clientele, it’s just another symbol of exclusivity and indulgence.
