MILLIE: Karla and I are both ice cream lovers. But the biggest ice cream monster we know is Dad. He can eat more than three scoops in one sitting or until his tummy is filled with so much air that he must release it with a big fart (earning him his nickname, by the way). He can tell a good brand from one that’s not. That comes naturally, I guess, because he used to make his own ice cream. He has pre-war memories of how The Aristocrat used to sell tons of it. At that time, my Lola Asiang would buy the ice cream locally from United Dairy Ice cream owned by the family of Salvador Araneta. But the handling was difficult because there was no dry ice and glycol was used to keep the ice cream frozen. But then it became so hardened, it was difficult to scoop out. My Uncle Andy, the late Justice Andres Reyes, contacted an American company who sold them an ice cream machine and the dry mix. It was the start of a new business venture for the family. During World War II, days before the Japanese occupation, fearing the consequences of war, the manager of the company approached them to buy their remaining stock of dry mix for a song. Dad recalls how they just had enough money to buy about 100 cases, which they stored in several warehouses. The manager pleaded with them to buy everything he had in stock and when Uncle Andy confided that they did not have enough money, the manager told them to “pay when able.” So my Lola bought out everything and the ice cream business was a good source of income for The Aristocrat during the war. The restaurant was patronized by both the Filipinos and the Japanese but the sad ending was that the original restaurant was burnt to ashes, along with a lifetime of savings!
Dad’s favorite flavors are vanilla, macapuno, strawberry, coffee, cheese and atis, though not necessarily in that order.
KARLA: Just like Lols, I’ve always loved iced cream. We often find ourselves grabbing an ice cream cone while walking around the mall or having dessert at FIC’s Ice Cream Bar. Sometimes people find it odd seeing an elderly man with a cane in his right hand and an ice cream cone in his left, walking around with a big smile. But ice cream really is something people of all ages can enjoy.
Recently, Mom and I met chef Trisha Gana and Pinky Jacob-Ileto who have developed a unique line of ice cream. Not just any ice cream: adult ice cream. Liquor-inspired and liquor-infused luscious goodness. Lick the Liquor, Lickqueur Adult Ice Cream will surely be the topic of conversation and the reason for all the commotion at your party. Don’t underestimate the alcoholic content as you can very much get tipsy from this über-awesome ice cream. It has a thick and creamy consistency but it’s very refreshing and intoxicating at the same time. They use solely premium alcohol to give that perfect tipsy twist.
The first six flavors are inspired by real cocktail drinks and shooters normally found in bars. The flavors are Sinfully Butterscotch (Butterscotch Amaretto), After Midnight Mint (Chocolate Mint Martini), Strawberry Kiss (Strawberry Martini), Paint the Town Orange (Chocolate Orange Martini), Margarita Passion (Margarita), and OMG! (Screaming Orgasm). From the flavors that Mom and I were able to try, our unanimous favorite flavor was the OMG. It’s made of Bailey’s, Kahlua and vodka and has a rich, creamy, coffee vibe. Without fail, as their tagline says, Lickqueur is definitely a “Lick with the Kick.”
The product was created and developed by five friends and partners who are almost foodies by profession, surprisingly kids-at-heart, and absolutely passionate about food. Pinky mentions that the product is designed for adults because they are “fun, naughty, fearless and adventurous.” Pinky’s role is business development while Trisha handles product development and research. Their commissary, recently established in Pampanga, is overseen by Arnel Bondoc, the partner in charge of production and logistics. Meanwhile, Earl Yu handles financial matters and Mimi Manalo, as CEO, pulls the group together. Serious business or monkey business? I say it’s a well-balanced mix of both as CEO Mimi manages to play the role as a referee quite effectively. They admitted that whenever they got together with the rest of the gang, they would become wacky and do unimaginable things — usually eat, eat, eat! But that’s not all. They also drink all night long and bond. And after several bonding sessions, the idea was born: the unique and delicious Lickqueur concept.
MILLIE: The success of their product was confirmed when they catered a big event last December, with 5,000 persons and 120 gallons of Lickqueur ice cream served! And now, the Lickqueur bunch are developing new flavors and variants. Honestly, we can’t wait to try them. They envision opening outlets soon and are eyeing partnership/distributorship arrangements to promote their unique product. We wish them great success!
Meanwhile, grab yourselves a gallon tub of Lickqueur Adult Ice Cream by contacting M33 The Company, Inc. through Pinky Jacob-Ileto at 0917-8502702 or 502-2700 or e-mail lickqueur@gmail.com. Visit their website http://www.lickqueur.com and add them to Facebook by searching for Lickqueur Adult Ice Cream.
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Send e-mail to milliereyes.foodforthought@gmail.com and karla@swizzlemobilebar.com. Find us on Facebook: Food for Thought by Millie & Karla Reyes.