Bloody ice cubes and famine in Madras

Ice House, now known as Vivekananda House | Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

In the sweltering heat of colonial Madras, British rulers and the urban elite raised glasses of Scotch whisky, cooled by ice cubes floating in their drinks.

Huge blocks of ice were naturally formed in New England lakes in the US and brought to India. In Madras (now Chennai), ice sticks were brought to the Ice House in Triplicane, where they were stored and cut into smaller pieces for evening drinks.

Published – 07 Oct 2026 08:00 IST