Ice cream makers are always on the lookout for new flavors to entice the
public. In England this year, it is Gin and Tonic ice cream that is
creating a buzz. Well-known gin maker Sipsmith and British ice cream
maker Jude have teamed up to create a specialty ice cream that they hope
will please an over-heated public this summer. But "freezing"
alcohol is a tricky business.
Jude’s Gin and Tonic Ice Cream (Image via The Telegraph)
Since alcohol does not freeze at reasonable ice-cream-like temperatures, the makers had to find a way to skirt this issue without losing the flavor. Ultimately they turned to the use of the same botanical ingredients that go into the making of Sipsmith’s London dry gin. That includes juniper berries, citrus peel, licorice root and ground almonds along with others (you didn’t expect them to give the recipe away did you?). Throw in a bit of tonic water and a squeeze of lemon and you have the flavor.
Don’t worry. No one is going to get sloshed on this ice cream unless they make floats using real gin. There is only about 2% alcohol in it. You get more than that in light beer. We are going for taste here, not alcohol content — well, theoretically anyway.
While Brits seem to be going crazy over the rich and creamy unusual flavor treat — people on the American side of the pond seem baffled. Many of us don’t even like the drink, let alone making it into ice cream. That is fine since the ice cream is not slated to be shipped over here. However, I know a lot of people who would go for a nice Margarita or Daiquiri ice cream — or even a Bloody Mary sorbet. Maybe that could be next up?
Sources: Eater, The Telegraph, Ocado
