Another hot sweaty summer is upon us, which means you’re allowed to enjoy as much ice cream as you like, guilt-free. But chocolate, vanilla and even green tea can get boring after a few dozen scoops. Fortunately, Bangkok’s ice cream makers have been busy creating refreshing alternatives to the old favorites with ingredients like black pepper, fish sauce and flowers. Here’s lickin’ at you...
Amaltery has new summer creations, inspired by sake and cherry blossoms. A chicer version of a typical waan yen (shaved ice topped with syrup), the Cherry Blossom Granita (B75) works wonders to cool down the heat with bracing floral fragrances and just enough sake to make you smile. Looking for a stronger concoction? The Sake Sorbet (B70), might just be your prescription.
A fusion of apple and kiwi should make for a winning combo to battle Bangkok’s heat. But Tuscanini’s Apple Kiwi (B39) isn’t so cool. Despite bits of kiwi seeds, it yields neither apple nor kiwi flavors. Its lingering sweet aftertaste, instead, reminds us of apple-flavored Sugas, the chewing candy we used to love when we were kids.
We’ve seen (and been disappointed by) khaoniew mamuang (mango with sticky rice) ice cream. But mamuang nampla waan, now that’s what we call creative! Though it might not sound tasty, ete does a surprisingly good job with its seasonal Amazing Mamuang Nampla Wan. Your B49 gets you a scoop of sour mango ice cream which contrasts nicely with the salty and sweet sauce.
New Zealand Natural tempts the weight-watching sweet tooth with a variety of fruit sorbets, which are “99% fat free.” Its smooth mango sorbet claims to contain over 20% real mango, but it’s the berry fruit sorbet that wins our heart with its thirst-quenching tangy goodness. Here, the ice cream pricing is designed to lure you to eat more as a single scoop is B69, while double scoops are B99.
iberry has run the gamut of colorful pints of Thai tropical fruit sorbets. Pretty in pink, the pomelo sorbet is light and refreshing, but other than that, there aren’t many other flavors we can detect in this light treat. You’re better off with tamarind, which offers a complexity of sweetness and saltiness. It cools the tongue, quenches the thirst and pleases the palate, all at once. B49 per scoop, B90 for two.
You may know black pepper as a savory seasoning, but now it’s also a taste sensation at the lesser-known Spice Story. The Black Pepper Magic is utterly smooth and creamy at the first bite, but soon bursts in your mouth with subtle-yet-intense peppery fire as it glides across your palate. The shocking pink Hibiscus Flower makes a great pick-me-up on a hot day thanks to its stimulating tanginess. A scoop here sets you back B55 (B50 for takeaway), which is not the cheapest choice, but where else can you try frozen chili, lemongrass and ginger?
If variety is what you are after, skip Red Mango. There is only one flavor on offer: yogurt. But if you are looking for a guilt-free summer treat, give it a try. B49 only gets you a small cup of yogurt, which you will have to top off with the fruits and toppings you fancy (B10 for one topping). A delightful creation for those who can afford it.
Essentials
Amaltery: 7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1710. www.amaltery.com. Open daily 10am-9pm. Or try its Urban Kitchen branch (02-252-0232).
ete: 2/F, Silom Complex, 02-231-3155. Open daily 10:30am-9:30pm. Or try its Central Plaza Pinklao (02-884-6934) and Khaosan (02-629-3629) outlets.
iberry: Siam Square Soi 2, 02-658-3829, www.iberryhomemade.com. Open daily 10:30am-10pm. Or try its J Avenue (02-712-6054) and The Esplanade (02-660-9147) outlets.
New Zealand Natural: 7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1604. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Red Mango: 2/F, 302-304 Siam Square Soi 4, Rama 1 Rd., 02-251-2500. Open daily 10am-9:30pm.
Tuscanini: Thonglor Soi 11, 02-185-2841. Open daily noon-9pm.
Spice Story: G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7505, 02-477-0905. Open daily 10am-10pm.
