Why do some americans put ice in their drinks?

Question

I was asked this by a friend and could not answer. any answers?

I thought there might be a scientific reason behind it but I guess the only answer is to cool the drink down.

Answer 1

The obvious answer is to make it cold, but actually, a lot of people put ice in to dilute it like in Scotch, Whiskey for example.

Answer 2

People tend to enjoy cold drinks, and that may be from pure habit. Generally, it takes the "bite" out of drinks when they are colder. For example, Coca-Cola has a very strong taste which literally hurts my throat when I swallow it. When ice is added, it somehow takes away that strong taste, and allows you to taste the actual flavour of the drink more intensely. It's not only in the United States that people do this, but I would assume that it is more common in the United States than in other countries - especially since some poor or mostly undeveloped countries do not have such easy access to ice.

Answer 3

I used to like my drinks this way, but in the last 10 years or so, I have come to prefer my water at room temperature and my tea and coffee hot. Ice water can be very bad for your digestive system if you drink it right after or during a heavy workout. I found this out to my detriment once, consuming a large amount of ice water, which made me VERY ill. Only rarely do I cool my drinks these days. I have got into the habit of calling my room temp. drinking preference as "the Scottish way." I don't know if this is strictly correct, but as a Southern American, it works for me!

Answer 4

Since this in "general -food & drink" I guess you're asking about ALL drinks rather than just alcoholic ones...

I like ice in my MILK, my WATER, and my JUICE... that is all. I just like them COLD. It's a matter of preference.

Answer 5

First of all, it gets the drink colder. With some it is just a habit and they don't realize it. My dad puts ice in his milk (nasty). He says it keeps it cold, but I think that it just waters the milk down and is nasty.

Answer 6

We always like very cold drinks here in the USA and that is the best way to accomplish that mission. We sometimes put ice in our beer too.

Answer 7

To cool it, it's not just an american thing, there is a world outside of the USA

Answer 8

Because the drink is warm.

Answer 9

so it lasts longer ice melts gives them a bigger drink

Answer 10

so other people who don't use ice can ask us why we do.