I have heard so much about the water and ice over there, I was just wondering that if I order a margarita or some other cocktail, is it okay to have ice in the drink?
Cocktails - Is it okay to have ice in Mixed drinks, cocktail
well.... a little like the argument about eating fresh salad stuff.
In most of the resorts, ice is made with bottled water... so it%26#39;s ok....
Personally I prefer not to take ice cubes in my drinks, ever... and I only drink bottled water.... and always check if the bottles that I buy are sealed.... I never eat any fresh salad stuff.... it%26#39;s the worry that it may have been washed is unclean water....
Guess places like Egypt, Mexico or India are more likely to be of concern than Thailand.... Just find that when I follow these simple guidelines I don%26#39;t get sick...
It%26#39;s ok to buy food from street stalls .. if and only if.. you see it being cooked then and there....
NEVER be tempted to eat stuff that has been sitting in a bain-marie... like smorgasbord lunch... no matter how many stars the resort has....
Cocktails - Is it okay to have ice in Mixed drinks, cocktail
From experience, it has never been a problem for me. Only ones to look out for are the iced water they serve at roadside stores. Do not touch...
I always have ice in my drinks, the crushed or chipped ice is not safe, (so if you buy fresh oysters, say NO ice on them as it will be the crushed ice and we know of people who have been very sick from this).)
The ice in your hotel or in your drinks at bars (big cylinder cubes with a hole through it) are fine.
Cathy
If you have ever had a dicky stomach on holiday then NEVER have any ice, in a hitel or not, a good holiday and what it costs is too much of an investment to risk.
I%26#39;d consider not having fruit either.
Worked for me.
fruit is ok... if it%26#39;s fresh and you can peel it yourself.....
but fruit drinks/shakes may hve to be contemplated carefully.... I%26#39;ve often seen what a small welcome drink, even at 5* resorts, can achieve..... as a rule of thumb... the more stars.. the sicker you get... perhaps because one lets down the guard if it%26#39;s a hotel chain of repute...
BUT, what works for some may not work for others...
I agree with the statement that a vacation is a big investment.... spending even a day or two moaning and groaning half the time in bed and the other in the bathroom is not good planning!
Drink water from sealed bottles.
Never take ice in your drinks from street vendors.
As for ice in bars, restaurants in any hotel ........its a big question mark. You do not know if the ice is made from clean, germs free water or that the hotel gets the ice from an ice supplier elsewhere.
If you have previous health problems with ice consumption, then, do not take ice in whatever circumstances and from anywhere, even in 5 stars hotels.
Almost all bars / restaurants / hotels are using 2 different kind of ice, both delivered from ice factories.
One kind is the crushed ice wich is to cool drinks etc (bot) the other is a ice cube with normally a hole in the middle which is produced for consumption (unic)
To state not to use ice in drinks, not to eat fresh salads, fruits etc will limit your enjoyment of your holidays. There is no reason to avoid the items described as long as minimal safeguards are being followed. As no crushed ice in drinks but only the consumption ice etc.
My best guess is that only a few are following the %26#39;touch nothing%26#39; rule. All others have more likely a better holiday with ice.
So the question is: yes, it is OK to have ice in your drink.
Enjoy that margarita!!
I concur with the ice with a hole in it is the safe bet ..... but then again I think the days of bad ice are over when eating at reputable hotels and restaurants. if drinking at some out of the way place I would certainly say ';no ice';. to go without ice in the steamy tropics is a hard chore
I have spent six months over the last six years in Thailand, and I have gotten sick from the water. Of course it was well water in Si Sa Ket province, and I had a gut feeling, so to speak, not to drink it but did anyway. That was a mistake. Having said that, I seriously doubt you will drink well water in Si Sa Ket, or anywhere else. In Bangkok or other tourist areas, I would still suggest bottled water, but the tap water will probably not make you sick. Ice in drinks is fine. I have never gotten sick from fresh fruit or salads.
I think a little common sense is a good thing. But I also think it is important to remember that food safety is an issue anywhere, including the USA, Australia, and Europe. I have also gotten sick eating at restaurants in my home town.
Relax, enjoy your vacation, and have a cold cocktail if you want one.
Agree with the poster who said its o.k. to have ice as its mostly delivered from ice companies (as our ';pool bar'; does.) I%26#39;ve never had a problem with ice from anywhere in 9 years, but as mosegrisen quite rightly says what works for one may not for another. (nor a ';dodgy%26#39; stomach from a meal, very lucky!) Enjoy your cocktails!
