Ice melts fastest in water, theoretically. The simple science behind this is that water is the least dense liquid of the three. This means that it is the easiest for heat transfer to occur within. The ice is added cold, thus reducing the temperature of the water because it easily transfers the heat (or lack of it), but by doing so the ice rises in temperature, taking it to the point that it melts.
There are variables to this though. The liquids must all be at the same starting temperature, else this answer proves nothing. Another thing is the surface area and the contact it has. Ice floats, but it is denser than warm water. The warm water causes the cube to melt, the cold water sinks, raising more warm water to deplete the ice cube.
The reason I say theoretically is due to the carbonation process in soda. The density, as a result, is lower than it would be otherwise, meaning that the cola like warmer liquids will rise to the top and the ice cold water sinks. This is why when you buy drinks with ice in at the cinema or a fast food restaurant you notice a distinctly watery taste the nearer the end of the drink you are. It also means that cola and other products gain a similar density to that of simple water, making it a close call if fairly comparing in a scientific test. Water should melt the ice fastest regardless though.
Some juices and sodas are rumoured to contain chemicals that prevent ice from melting as quickly, but this isn’t a proven fact. This would require the chemicals to increase the liquid density something carbonation of soda defies by lowering the density. Furthermore, sugar melts ice, and sodas and juice both contain sugars.
There are variables to this though. The liquids must all be at the same starting temperature, else this answer proves nothing. Another thing is the surface area and the contact it has. Ice floats, but it is denser than warm water. The warm water causes the cube to melt, the cold water sinks, raising more warm water to deplete the ice cube.
The reason I say theoretically is due to the carbonation process in soda. The density, as a result, is lower than it would be otherwise, meaning that the cola like warmer liquids will rise to the top and the ice cold water sinks. This is why when you buy drinks with ice in at the cinema or a fast food restaurant you notice a distinctly watery taste the nearer the end of the drink you are. It also means that cola and other products gain a similar density to that of simple water, making it a close call if fairly comparing in a scientific test. Water should melt the ice fastest regardless though.
Some juices and sodas are rumoured to contain chemicals that prevent ice from melting as quickly, but this isn’t a proven fact. This would require the chemicals to increase the liquid density something carbonation of soda defies by lowering the density. Furthermore, sugar melts ice, and sodas and juice both contain sugars.
