The big scoop on the UK’s most inventive ice cream to beat the heatwave

Restaurants across the UK are introducing unconventional ice cream, gelato and sorbet offerings this week as temperatures are forecast to climb into the 30s, with venues from London to Suffolk, Newcastle and Bristol drawing on regional produce and international flavours to provide relief from the prolonged heatwave.

In Brixton, south London, the recently opened All Roads has partnered with neighbouring ice cream experts ClingyWrap to develop a series of unusual flavour combinations. The collaboration has produced delights including Sorrel and Cheesecake, Breadfruit and Brown Butter and a Peach, Soursop and Mango Sorbet. The combinations draw on Caribbean and contemporary dessert influences, reflecting the diverse food culture of the area.

Meanwhile, in Kelsale, Suffolk, chef Alice Norman of the popular farm eatery Pinch is serving an Elderflower and Sea Salt Gelato accompanied by a black sesame spelt wafer. The latter is made using regenerative spelt grown on Maple Farm, where the restaurant is based, in keeping with the venue’s emphasis on locally sourced and sustainably produced ingredients. The recipe is also available on request for dewy diners to recreate at home.

At Kiln in Newcastle, the seasonal menu features Middle Eastern-inspired flavours, including Rose Water, Tahini and Date and Strawberry and Sumac. These concoctions are inspired by ingredients more commonly associated with Levantine and Persian cuisines.

Several other venues across the country are also adding new frozen desserts to their menus. DakaDaka in London’s Mayfair is serving Saperavi Nakini, an ice cream made with Georgian red wine. The Culpeper Rooftop, across town in Spitalfields, is offering house-made ice cream alongside its rooftop views, with the current selection including an Elderflower Sorbet produced using elderflower from the venue’s urban farm in Deptford. To the West Country, Bristol’s Caper & Cure has introduced frozen options including Strawberry and Cream, a Raspberry and Mint Sorbet and an Affogato that can be served with an optional Pedro Ximénez sherry drizzle.

These cool treats come as forecasters predict high temperatures will continue across much of the UK into next week, with the Met Office issuing warnings in several regions.

Food Desk

For further information about any of these heatwave offerings, click on the individual links in the article above.