Ice can taste weird when it absorbs odors from the freezer, sits in old water, or forms from a dirty tray or bin. USDA notes that freezers can hold on to off-odors, and foods frozen too long can develop rancid or bad smells and tastes that end up in the ice.
Fresh water, a clean tray, and a well-sealed freezer usually fix it. The real fixes are boring: clean the freezer, keep strong-smelling foods sealed, and dump ice that was made from old water sitting too long in the tray.
If the ice suddenly tastes off, check for an odor source first. The ice is often just the messenger.
Freezer burn and spoilage do not always make food look dramatic, but they can pull moisture and flavor out of the food and leave it tasting stale or off. Ice sitting in the freezer can pick up those same odors and carry them straight into your drink.
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