Answer is: The polarity of water allows it to dissolve most substances because of this it is referred to as the universal solvent.
Solvation is the interaction of solvent (water) with molecules or ions (for example iced tea mix) in a solute.
Solvent (usually a liquid, but can also be a solid or a gas) is a substance that dissolves a solute.
Solvent is always the same state of matter as the solution. In this example, ice tea solution is liquid, so water is a solvent.
