Don’t you hate it when ice cubes water down your favorite beverage? I do.

Thanks to a gift from my little sister, Mel, and bro-in-law RJ, I no longer suffer soggy-sipping syndrome.

It’s been several years now since I’ve been blessed with a pair of these ice sphere molds, and they’ve proved to be a gift that keeps on giving.

Instructions? Who needs that? Well, if you do need help, there’s a fill line for the water level inside the mold and a short how-to on getting the finished 2-1/2 inch ice ball out of the cap.

Like an ice cube tray, you just fill the mold with water and place it upright in the freezer, best overnight, and the ice is ready to pop out and into your beverage container.

Thanks to my sibling’s influence, I’ve been using these mainly for tasty Kentucky small-batch goodness, when I’m not feeling so neat. But they work well if you want ice-cold milk or OJ.

They’ve held up quite nicely, as well.

Manufacturer: Tovolo

Does it work?: YES!!

Pros: Produces an ice ball that lasts way longer than ice cubes and takes a while before it waters down your drink. (Although it does melt faster when we’re enjoying lovely high humidity.)

Cons: If you fill past the water level, you’ll get some spillage when you place the cap on top.

Cost: $10-$13, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Amazon.com (free shipping!)

Worth it?: Every penny! (Love you sis!)

Got a gadget that you love? Or are you curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com, or write Crave, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.