Menthol vs ice e-liquids: koolada, WS-23 and the science of cold

Nothing in your vape is actually cold. Menthol and cooling agents trigger the same receptors in your mouth and throat that respond to low temperatures, so your brain reports a chill that is not really there. It is the same trick a mint chewing gum plays on you.

Menthol comes from mint plants or is made to match them, and it brings that unmistakable minty taste along with the cooling. Cooling agents such as WS-23 and WS-3 (sold as koolada) were developed to give the cold sensation without the mint. That is what lets a liquid be fruity and icy at once without tasting like toothpaste.

Flavour names are a decent guide once you know the code. Menthol on its own usually means a classic, slightly cooling menthol taste, often close to what menthol smokers remember. Spearmint is sweeter and softer; peppermint is brighter and sharper.

Ice after a fruit, like watermelon ice or peach ice, means the fruit is the star and a cooling agent adds chill. Menthol ice stacks both: mint flavour plus extra cooling for people who want maximum freeze. Browse menthol ice, spearmint and ice and slush flavours to see the range.

Both are cooling agents, but vapers tend to describe them differently. WS-23 is often called smooth and clean, with the chill spread across the mouth and throat. It has become the go-to in bar-style ice flavours for exactly that reason.

Koolada, the name commonly used for WS-3, is usually described as punchier, with a cold that sits more at the back of the mouth. In larger amounts some people pick up a faint bitterness. Neither is better, and many liquids use a blend. If a fruit ice tastes harsh or bitter to you, try a different brand; it may use a different cooling agent or a lighter hand with it.

Your ideal chill depends on what you want from it. Former menthol smokers often go straight for classic menthol, since the menthol cigarette ban in the UK in 2020 left many of them looking for that taste. Bar-style fans tend to love fruit ice. People who find cooling harsh might prefer a gentle spearmint or no cooling at all.

Cooling agents are strong, and a heavily iced liquid can drown out the fruit you paid for. If you love cold but miss the flavour, look for a lighter ice or rotate an iced and an un-iced bottle. Answer below for a starting point.

Ice and menthol liquids generate more questions than most, partly because the cold sensation feels so physical. A lot of people assume ice must mean menthol, or that cooling liquids are stronger in nicotine, neither of which is true.

Flip each card to sort fact from folklore. Worth knowing too: cooling agents and menthol are listed in the ingredients on UK labels, so if you are trying to avoid one or the other, the label is the place to check. Our guide on reading an e-liquid label shows where to look.

If you want to dive in, start with one classic menthol, one fruit ice and one gentle mint. That trio covers the whole cooling spectrum, and you will quickly find where your sweet spot sits. Bar-style ranges lean heavily on fruit ice, while traditional 10ml ranges carry the classic menthols.

Options worth a look include Elfliq Spearmint for gentle mint, Large Juice Berry Cold for berries with a menthol edge, and a peach ice or watermelon ice if fruit is your thing. All come in 10ml at 5mg, 10mg and 20mg salt strengths.