Noah Vinter
Icing or getting iced is a drinking game and internet meme that gained popularity in 2010. The game involves one person hiding a bottle of Smirnoff Ice, which is a malt beverage, in a place where they know their target will find it. Once the bottle is found, the finder must immediately get down on one knee and drink the entire bottle. The game has been criticised due to the potential for excessive drinking and the low alcohol content of Smirnoff Ice, which may encourage players to consume more. While the exact origin of the game is unclear, it is believed to have originated in the United States, particularly within frat culture, and spread through word of mouth and online platforms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of game | Drinking game, internet meme |
| Year of origin | 2010 |
| Origin location | Vermont or Saint Lawrence University in New York |
| Drink used | Smirnoff Ice |
| Drink type | Malt beverage |
| Drink ABV | 4.5% |
| Drink size | 11.2 fl. oz (331 mL) bottles in the US and Canada; 0.7 L bottles in Europe |
| Drink popularity | Boosted sales for the company |
| Drink criticism | Low alcohol content |
| Drink defence | Consumer-generated; not a marketing stunt |
| Game rules | One person hides a bottle of Smirnoff Ice for another person to find and drink on one knee |
| Game popularity | Viral, particularly in college culture |
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What You'll Learn
Icing is a drinking game and internet meme
The game gained prominence through the website BrosIcingBros.com, which served as a hub for videos and photos of people getting Iced. However, the website was later taken down, and Smirnoff denied any involvement in creating or promoting the game, stating that it does not comply with their marketing code. Despite this, the game continued to spread virally, boosting sales for the company.
Icing has been described as a "frat star drinking game" and is particularly popular among college students. It has been criticised in the UK due to the low alcohol content of Smirnoff Ice, with some arguing that it encourages excessive drinking. In the United States and Canada, "icing" is typically done with smaller 11.2 fl. oz (331 mL) bottles, while in Europe, larger 0.7-liter bottles are more common. These larger bottles contain more than twice the volume of alcohol and present a higher risk of drinking to excess.
The exact origin of icing is difficult to determine, but it is believed to have originated either in Vermont or at Saint Lawrence University in New York. It gained popularity through word of mouth and social media, with people sharing their experiences of being Iced or icing others. Icing has become a pervasive part of college culture and has even been featured in Instagram stories and menus at diners.
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Smirnoff Ice is a malt beverage
"Icing" is a drinking game and internet meme that became popular in 2010. It involves one person hiding a bottle of Smirnoff Ice for another person (the "target") to find. When the target finds the bottle, they must immediately kneel and drink it. The game gained prominence among "bros" and on college campuses, with participants devising creative ways to present the Smirnoff Ice to their targets, such as hiding bottles in inconspicuous locations or situations where drinking would be embarrassing.
Smirnoff Ice, introduced in 1999, is indeed a malt beverage. It is brewed like beer and does not contain any vodka. Despite its name, Smirnoff Ice is a separate product from the vodka brand's other offerings. The game of icing contributed to a boost in sales for Smirnoff Ice, although the company insists that the game is "consumer-generated" and has reminded the public to drink responsibly. Smirnoff Ice is known for its crisp, citrus taste, and it offers a convenient, ready-to-drink option for consumers.
The rules of icing are straightforward: if a person sees a Smirnoff Ice, they must kneel and chug the entire bottle. There is a defence to this rule, however: if the person finding the Smirnoff Ice has their own Smirnoff Ice on their person or within reach, they can "ice block" and avoid drinking the found bottle. This is also known as "refracting the punishment back onto the attacker."
While the game of icing has led to increased popularity and sales for Smirnoff Ice, the company has denied creating or promoting the game. In some regions, such as the UK, the trend has faced criticism due to the low alcohol content of Smirnoff Ice, which is typically around 4% to 4.5% ABV. Despite this, the game spread virally, with publications like The New York Times and Time writing about it in 2010.
Smirnoff Ice, as a malt beverage, has a unique place in popular culture due to the icing game. While the company itself has distanced itself from the game, the association has contributed to its fame and recognition as a ready-to-drink option.
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Icing involves hiding a bottle for someone to find and drink
Icing is a drinking game and internet meme that became popular in 2010. It involves hiding a bottle of Smirnoff Ice in a place where another person will find it. When the person who has been "iced" sees the bottle, they must kneel and drink the entire contents. Participants are encouraged to devise creative ways to present the Smirnoff Ice to their targets, such as hiding bottles in inconspicuous locations or situations where drinking would be embarrassing or difficult. For example, hiding the bottle in a kitchen cabinet, the microwave, or even strapping it to the back of a dog.
The game gained prominence in 2010, with the website BrosIcingBros.com serving as a hub for videos and photos of people getting Iced. While the exact origin of the game is unclear, it is believed to have started in either Vermont or at Saint Lawrence University in New York, with fraternity members of Pi Kappa Alpha at the College of Charleston credited for putting the rules online.
Smirnoff has insisted that the game is "consumer-generated" and has reminded the public to drink responsibly. The company also stated that "icing" does not comply with their marketing code and was not created or promoted by them. Despite this, the viral spread of the game has resulted in a boost in sales for the brand.
Icing has been described as a frat star drinking game and is particularly popular among college students. It has been criticised in the UK due to the low alcohol content of Smirnoff Ice, with some arguing that it encourages excessive drinking. In the United States and Canada, "icing" is typically done with smaller 11.2 fl. oz (331 mL) bottles, while in Europe, larger 0.7-liter bottles are more common, presenting a higher risk of drinking to excess.
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Icing was popularised by the website BrosIcingBros.com
"Icing" or "getting iced" is a drinking game and internet meme that gained popularity in 2010. The game involves one person hiding a bottle of Smirnoff Ice for another person (the "iced") to find. Once the bottle is found, the "iced" person must immediately get down on one knee and drink the entire bottle. The game gained popularity through the website BrosIcingBros.com, which served as a hub for videos and photos of people playing the game. The website also set down clear rules for the game.
BrosIcingBros.com was launched in May 2010 and quickly became popular, with publications such as The New York Times, Time, and others writing about the game and the website. The game and the website sparked a boost in sales for Smirnoff Ice, with some speculating that the game was a marketing stunt by the company, which Smirnoff denied. Smirnoff insisted that the game was "consumer-generated" and reminded the public to drink responsibly.
The rules of the game, as outlined by BrosIcingBros.com, encouraged players to come up with creative and elaborate ways to present the Smirnoff Ice to their targets. This could involve hiding bottles in inconspicuous locations or situations where drinking would be dangerous or embarrassing, such as before a meeting. If the "iced" person failed to drink the entire bottle, they could not turn around and ice someone else. An ""ice block"" occurs when the "iced" person is already carrying a bottle or can of Smirnoff Ice or is within reach of one without taking a step. In this case, the icer (or challenger) must then drink both bottles.
While the game originated with smaller 11.2 fl. oz (331 mL) bottles in the United States and Canada, it evolved to use full-size 0.7-liter bottles in Europe, particularly among students. These larger bottles contain more than twice the volume of alcohol and present a higher risk of drinking to excess. The trend has been criticised in the UK due to the low alcohol content of Smirnoff Ice.
The popularity of the game and the website BrosIcingBros.com was short-lived, and the website is no longer active. However, it captured the internet's attention for a brief moment and left an impact on the cultural landscape of the early 2010s.
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Icing has been criticised for encouraging excessive drinking
Icing is a drinking game and internet meme that became popular in 2010. One person hides a bottle of Smirnoff Ice in a place they know their target will find it. When the target finds the bottle, they are required to kneel and drink its contents. The game has been criticised for encouraging excessive drinking.
The game involves participants devising creative ways to present the Smirnoff Ice to their targets, often by hiding bottles or cans in inconspicuous locations or situations where drinking would be embarrassing. For example, some people have reported finding hidden bottles in their washing machines, backpacks, outside their shower curtains, or even strapped to the backs of dogs. This aspect of the game has been criticised for promoting excessive drinking in situations where it may be dangerous or inappropriate.
The rules of the game dictate that the target must drink the entire bottle of Smirnoff Ice, which contains 4.5% ABV. In the United States and Canada, smaller 11.2 fl. oz (331 mL) bottles are typically used, while in Europe, larger 0.7-liter bottles are more common. These larger bottles contain more than twice the volume of alcohol and present a higher risk of drinking to excess.
While the game has been popular, particularly among college students and fraternity members, it has also faced criticism for promoting unhealthy drinking habits and excessive consumption of alcohol. Some have expressed concern that the game normalises binge drinking and encourages individuals to consume more alcohol than they may realise or intend.
Additionally, there have been allegations that the game is a marketing stunt by Smirnoff to boost sales of their product. Smirnoff has denied these claims and stated that the game does not comply with their marketing code. They have reminded consumers to drink responsibly. However, the company has been criticised for not taking more proactive measures to distance themselves from the game and address the potential risks associated with it.
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Frequently asked questions
"Icing" or "getting iced" is a drinking game where one person hides a bottle of Smirnoff Ice for another person to find. Once found, the person who found the bottle has to get down on one knee and drink the entire bottle.
The exact origin of icing is unclear. According to the Times, it likely began in Vermont or at Saint Lawrence University in New York. It gained prominence in 2010, with the creation of the website BrosIcingBros.com, which served as a hub for photos and videos of people getting iced.
Participants have come up with various creative ways to present the Smirnoff Ice to their targets, such as hiding bottles in inconspicuous locations or situations where drinking would be embarrassing. Some examples include hiding bottles in the kitchen, laundry machines, backpacks, or even strapping them to the backs of dogs.
Icing is often played as a prank or a joke among friends. The game is meant to be fun because Smirnoff Ice is considered a mediocre or less desirable drink, so forcing a friend to drink it can be amusing. Additionally, the challenge of finding creative hiding spots adds to the entertainment.
