With ice
in SpanishCon hielo
/kohn YEH-loh/
The standard, universal way to ask for ice in your drink. It works in every Spanish-speaking country, from fancy restaurants to street stalls.
When you order a drink 'con hielo', you are asking for these ice cubes.
💬Other Ways to Say It
En las rocas
/ehn lahs ROH-kahs/
Literally 'on the rocks.' Use this specifically when ordering liquor (like whiskey or tequila) straight with ice, just like in English.
Con mucho hielo
/kohn MOO-choh YEH-loh/
Means 'with a lot of ice.' This is crucial for Americans visiting Europe or parts of Latin America, where 'with ice' often means just one or two cubes.
Un vaso con hielo
/oon BAH-soh kohn YEH-loh/
Means 'a glass with ice.' Useful if you already have a drink (like a warm soda can) and just need a cup of ice to pour it into.
Hielo aparte
/YEH-loh ah-PAR-teh/
Means 'ice on the side.' Use this if you want to control how much ice goes into your drink so it doesn't get watered down.
Granizado
/grah-nee-SAH-doh/
Refers to crushed or shaved ice, similar to a slushy. In Mexico, this might be called 'raspado.'
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Different ways to request temperature for your drink.
| Phrase | Meaning | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con hielo | Standard | General drinks, sodas, water | Ordering fine liquor (use 'en las rocas') |
| En las rocas | Bar Term | Whiskey, Tequila, Rum | Ordering water or soda |
| Sin hielo | Standard | When you want the drink cold but no cubes | You want room temperature (use 'al tiempo') |
| Al tiempo / Del tiempo | Standard | Room temperature drinks | You want it cold |
📈Difficulty Level
The silent 'H' is the only trick. Once you realize it sounds like 'Yellow', it's easy.
It's a simple prepositional phrase: Preposition (con) + Noun (hielo).
Knowing how much ice to expect in different countries is the real challenge.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering the H is silent
- Not confusing it with 'Helado' (ice cream)
💡Examples in Action
Quiero un agua mineral con hielo, por favor.
I would like a mineral water with ice, please.
¿Me puede traer un vaso con hielo?
Can you bring me a glass with ice?
Para mí, un tequila en las rocas.
For me, a tequila on the rocks.
El café lo quiero con leche y con mucho hielo.
I want the coffee with milk and lots of ice.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'American Ice' Difference
In the US, 'with ice' usually means a cup filled to the brim. in Spain and many parts of Latin America, 'con hielo' often results in just one or two cubes floating in a tepid drink. If you like your drinks freezing cold, you must emphasize 'con mucho hielo' (with lots of ice).
Iced Coffee in Spain
In Spain, if you order an iced coffee, you don't usually get a pre-mixed drink like at Starbucks. Instead, you get a hot espresso and a separate glass with large ice cubes. You are expected to pour the hot coffee over the ice yourself right at the table!
Hygiene and Ice
In some rural areas or street food contexts in Latin America, travelers are sometimes cautioned about ice if they aren't sure the water was purified. However, in established restaurants, hotels, and tourist areas, the ice is almost always made from purified water ('agua purificada') and is safe to consume.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Hielo' with 'Helado'
Mistake: "Asking for a drink 'con helado'."
Correction: Con hielo
Pronouncing the 'H'
Mistake: "Saying '/Hee-eh-loh/' with a hard H sound."
Correction: /YEH-loh/
Assuming drinks come cold
Mistake: "Not asking for ice and expecting a cold drink."
Correction: Always specify 'con hielo' or 'bien fría'.
💡Pro Tips
The 'H' is silent!
Remember that the 'H' in 'hielo' is silent. Do not breathe out. It sounds exactly like the color 'Yellow' but without the 'w' at the end: 'Yeh-lo'.
How to say 'No Ice'
If you have a sensitive throat or just don't want ice, say 'sin hielo' (seen YEH-loh). If you want it at room temperature specifically, ask for it 'al tiempo' (Latin America) or 'del tiempo' (Spain).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
In Spain, if you ask for a drink 'del tiempo', it means room temperature. Ice is usually served sparingly—often just one large cube.
Mexico
Mexicans say 'al tiempo' for room temperature (vs 'del tiempo' in Spain). 'Bien muerta' (very dead) is slang for a very cold beer.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter brings your drink
¿Está bien así de hielo?
Is that enough ice?
Sí, perfecto, gracias.
Yes, perfect, thanks.
You ordered a drink but forgot to ask for ice
¿Se lo traigo con hielo?
Should I bring it with ice?
Sí, por favor. / No, así está bien.
Yes, please. / No, it's fine like that.
🧠Memory Tricks
The pronunciation of 'Hielo' sounds almost exactly like the English word 'Yellow'. Imagine snow that has turned yellow—it's gross, but it helps you remember the sound /YEH-loh/!
🔄How It Differs from English
The main difference isn't linguistic, but cultural volume. 'With ice' in English implies a full cup. 'Con hielo' in Spanish often implies a garnish of ice. You must use quantifiers like 'mucho' (a lot) or 'poco' (a little) to get what you actually want.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Learners hear 'Ice' and think 'Helado'. But 'Helado' is the sweet dessert (Ice Cream).
Use instead: Use 'Hielo' for frozen water and 'Helado' for dessert.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to order water in Spanish
You'll usually use 'con hielo' when ordering water.
How to say I am cold in Spanish
Learn the difference between the noun 'ice' and the adjective/feeling 'cold'.
How to order a beer in Spanish
Another essential drink context where temperature matters.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: With ice
Question 1 of 3
You are at a bar and want to order a whiskey on the rocks. What do you say?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 'H' in hielo always silent?
Yes, always. In Spanish, the letter H is silent unless it is part of the 'ch' sound. So 'hielo' is pronounced exactly like 'yelo'.
How do I ask for ice cream instead of ice?
Ice cream is 'helado'. Think of the 'ado' ending like 'gelato' to help you remember the sweet version.
Is ice safe to eat in Mexico and Latin America?
In resorts, hotels, and established restaurants, yes—they use purified ice. In street stalls or very rural areas, it's safer to say 'sin hielo' (without ice) or ask if it is made from 'agua purificada'.
What if I want a drink at room temperature?
If you don't want it cold at all, ask for it 'al tiempo' (Latin America) or 'del tiempo' (Spain). This is very common for water.
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