Hydrating

[argodad]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Spirit of Ammonia is 35% alcohol, but even so, such a tiny amount is mixed with the water, I seriously doubt the lower evaporation temperature has much to do with the effect of Florida water as a refreshing / cooling agent. I suspect its main effect over plain ice water is just like smelling salts (which has the same active ingredient in a capsule).

Another factor is that your ice/water/ammonia (or rubbing alcohol) mixture will maintain a lower temperature than a simple mixture of ice and water. The freezing/melting point is lower, so the mixture in your ice bucket and on your towel comes to your neck at a lower temperature ... and it smells good, too.

And yes ... I am a scientist.