the present invention relates to a method, apparatus and composition for making ice. Water is first filtered to a commercially pratical level of purity and then an additive is mixed with the water until a desired degree of total alkalinity, hardness, and/or turbidity is achieved. Water so processed has been found to produce, upon freezing, ice having a fast, hard, uniform surface that consistently resists rutting, chipping, cutting, sinking and sintering during use over an extended period of time.