A method for producing a desired amount of ice crystal formation in a
beverage comprising the steps of cooling said beverage to a temperature
below its ordinary freezing temperature at atmospheric pressure to form a
cooled beverage; maintaining said beverage at a pressure sufficient to
inhibit freezing of said beverage; dispensing said cooled beverage into a
vessel; obtaining a cooled surface, having a temperature sufficiently low
to cause flash freezing of a portion of said cooled beverage which comes
into contact therewith; and presenting said cooled surface to said
beverage for a time sufficient to form a desired amount of said ice
crystals in said beverage. An apparatus is provided for carrying out the
method.