In the heatwave-stricken European cities, Americans and Europeans face cultural differences in handling tap water and beverages. Isabel Tan, a New Yorker, has first-hand experience of Europe’s colder climate when adding frozen H20 to liquid refreshment. She jokingly posted about her experience on TikTok, part of a trend where Americans decamp to Europe and come face to face with room-temperature drinks. Historian Jonathan Rees explains that the entire world does not have as much interest in ice as the United States does, as they are very much accustomed to having ice in just about everything.
Amy Brady, author of “Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks – A Cool History of a Hot Commodity,” agrees, stating that Americans are unique on the world stage in terms of their absolute obsession with ice. Tan, originally from Singapore, grew up around different attitudes toward refrigeration. However, there are other ways to stay cool in the heat, such as gelato, sorbet, and granita. A jug of tinto de verano in Seville will be full of ice, while a glass of rose in Provence will be chilled to perfection.
Rees and Brady suggest viewing an iceless European beverage as simply a cultural difference, rather than a frustration, and taking it as opportunity for self-reflection. They advise resisting the immediate reaction of “tepid water” or “tepid tea” being less good, clean, tasty, or delightful, and instead, trying to experience how other people around the world develop their own culinary tastes and preferences.
