THE NIBBLE BLOG: Products, Recipes & Trends In Specialty Foods


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Liquor-Infused Ice Cream: Aubi & Ramsa 21+ Ice Cream & Sorbet With Alcohol

Our Top Pick Of The Week—and perhaps the Top Pick of our Lifetime—is the celestial liquor-infused ice cream and sorbet from Aubi & Ramsa. It may be National Ice Cream Month, but in any month, these fantasy pints deliver scoops of the greatest joy. We do not exaggerate.

Ice cream is our favorite food, and as a specialty food writer, we have had quite a few “super-premium” and “ultra-premium” ice creams from all over the country. We’ve had other brands of alcohol-infused ice cream†, too.

But Aubi & Ramsa is in a class by itself: a unique line of small-batch, ultra-premium wine- and spirit-infused ice creams* that dazzle beyond belief. Again, we do not exaggerate.

The spirits used are top-shelf: Don Julio Tequila, Hendrick’s Gin, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Macallan 12 Year Scotch, and Veuve Cliquot Champagne, for example.

Founders Matias Aubi and Rafael Ramirez have created something unique and out-of-this-world. Not only is the base ice cream outstanding, but the infusion of alcohol reaches new heights.

The ice cream and sorbet are prepared using a process that blends in the alcohol so that its taste remains vibrant. There’s plenty of flavor of Bourbon, Cognac, gin, rum, Scotch, tequila, etc.‡‡ dancing on your palate.

Disclaimer: Presently, shipping is only available to California, Florida, New York, and Texas. Is it worth moving for? Well…you can start by taking a vacation to Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, New York City, or Tampa, where there are Aubi & Ramsa ice cream parlors. Eat as much as you want, then take more back to your hotel room.
 
 
THE FLAVORS

The ice creams and sorbets contain 4.9% A.B.V. (ice cream and sorbet won’t freeze solid above 5%). That’s just 9.8 proof, so yes, you can eat and drive.

Of course, these frozen delights include no preservatives or colors; they’re 100% natural. In each, you’ll discover a symphony of flavors.

For those who are hungry to know: The Highland Truffle ice cream, made with Macallan 12-Year Scotch and chocolate bits, is by far the company’s most popular flavor. It was ours, too. It is simply the best chocolate ice cream we will ever have.

The Ice Creams

  • The ABC Ice Cream: Cognac ice cream blended with Amaretto, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, and Remy Martin Cognac‡.
  • Agave & Dulce de Leche Ice Cream: Dulce de leche ice cream blended with Milagro Reposado Tequila and finished with a caramel swirl (photo #2).
  • Chocolate & Amaretto Ice Cream: Dutch dark chocolate ice cream blended with Disaronno Originale Amaretto Liqueur and silvered almonds.
  • Chocolate Azteca Ice Cream: Mexican chocolate ice cream blended with Salvación Mezcal Original and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Martini Ice Cream: Chocolate ice cream blended with Hendrick’s Gin and Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur.
  • Coco Loco Ice Cream: Coconut ice cream blended with Don Julio Blanco Tequila and coconut flakes.
  • Espresso Martini Ice Cream: Coffee ice cream blended with Tanqueray No. Ten Gin and coffee liqueur.
  • Highland Truffle Ice Cream: Belgian chocolate ice cream blended with The Macallan 12-Year Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky and (delightful!) chocolate bits (photo #2).
  • Jack & Chocolate Ice Cream: Belgian chocolate ice cream blended with Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel and a dulce de leche swirl.
  • Kentucky Crème Brûlée Ice Cream: Crème brûlée ice cream (think vanilla custard) blended with Maker’s Mark Bourbon and accented with caramelized sugar sprinkles (photo #7).
  • Key Lime Martini Ice Cream: Key lime ice cream blended with St. George Botanivore Gin and accented with some graham cracker crust.
  • Lucky Brownie Ice Cream: Irish cream ice cream blended with Carolan’s Irish Cream Liqueur and pieces of organic brownie (photo #7).
  • Old Fashioned Ice Cream: Bourbon ice cream made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Cointreau Triple Sec Liqueur.
  • Piña Colada Ice Cream: Pineapple and coconut ice cream blended with Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum.
  • Strawberry Daiquiri Ice Cream: Strawberry ice cream blended with Zacapa No. 23 Centenario Rum.
  • White Russian Ice Cream: Coffee ice cream blended with Beluga Vodka and St. George Nola Coffee Liqueur.
  •  
    The Sorbets

  • Japanese Pearl Drop Sorbet: Raspberry sorbet blended with Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Soto Saké, and Chambord Raspberry Liqueur.
  • Passion Fruit Margarita Sorbet: Passion fruit sorbet blended with Casamigos Tequila.
  • Strawberries and Rosé Sorbet: Strawberry sorbet blended with Veuve Cliquot Rosé Champagne and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur (photo #7).
  • Tangerine Mimosa Sorbet: Tangerine sorbet blended with Moët et Chandon Imperial Brut.
  •  
     
    GET YOUR ICE CREAM & SORBET—NOW!

    There are two sizes: 16-ounce pints and 3.7-ounce individual containers. You select which flavors you’d like.

    Head to AubiRamsa.com.
     
     
    THE STORY OF AUBI & RAMSA

    Matias Aubi and Rafael Ramsa met while working as creative directors for an advertising agency network. Together they developed the brand’s concept, feel, and look (great job, guys!).

    Given how hard it is to get an ice cream business off the ground (it melts!), much less license names from big liquor companies, we take our hat off to them.

    And we send them lots of gratitude for their remarkable ice cream.

     

    Highland Truffle Ice Cream From Aubi & Ramsa
    [1] The most popular flavor by far, Highland Truffle Ice Cream: Belgian chocolate ice cream blended with The Macallan 12-Year Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky and (delightful!) chocolate chunks.

    Agave Dulce de Leche Ice Cream From Aubi & Ramsa
    [2] Agave Dulce de Leche, dulce de leche ice cream blended with Milagro Reposado Tequila and finished with a caramel swirl (all photos © Aubi & Ramsa).

    Strawberries & Rose Sorbet From Aubi & Ramsa
    [3] The blissful Strawberries and Rosé Sorbet blends strawberry sorbet with Veuve Cliquot Rosé Champagne and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur.

    Box Of Aubi & Ramsa Ice Cream Pints
    [4] Ice cream and sorbet arrive in lovely white boxes, perfect for gifting.

    Individual Size Aubi & Ramsa Ice Cream
    [5] Our dream ice cream party would be a tub full of individual-size (3.7 ounces) Aubi & Ramsa flavors.

    Pint Of Aubi & Ramsa Martini Ice Cream
    [6] Yes, you can eat your Martini ice cream from a Martini glass—although we are happy to eat it straight from the pint.

     
    ________________

    *The brand calls its products “gelato,” but there is no “ultra-premium” gelato. Gelato is less rich than ice cream. See the difference between ice cream and gelato here.

    †Mercer’s Wine Ice Cream, Tipsy Scoop, and Wine Cellar Sorbets, for starters.

    ‡It finally dawned on us that “ABC” derives from A for Amaretto, B for Baileys, and C for Cognac.

    ‡‡Want to know why some of these spirits are capitalized and others not? Because formal names are capitalized. Bourbon, Cognac, and Tequila are cities or counties; gin and rum are not. So, for example, you would not capitalize “red wine” or “white wine,” but would capitalize a Manhattan cocktail, a Moscow Mule, or a Singapore Sling.
     
     
    3 Pints of Aubi & Ramsa Ice Cream
    [7] A brand of ice cream and sorbet so good, we cried.
     
     

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    The Scoop On Tequila Barrels For National Tequila Day

    July 24th is National Tequila Day. We have a lot of tequila recipes below. But today there’s something different for serious tequila fans: the role of barrels in tequila aging in the flavor of tequila.

    The tips are from Alec and Ana Tesa, of Eleven20 Tequila. Eleven20 is an award-winning tequila crafted with traditional distilling techniques and a passion for excellence.
     
     
    > Here’s the history of tequila.

    > There are five expressions, or types, of tequila. Can you name them? And what’s the deal with the worm?

    > Tequila trivia.

    > Non-cocktail ways to use tequila.

    > Tequila cupcakes.

    > 30+ tequila cocktail recipes.
     
     
    THE SCOOP ON BARRELS

    The type of barrel used in tequila aging plays a crucial role in shaping the flavor profile of the final product. Common barrel types include oak, bourbon, and wine barrels.

    The combination of barrel type and aging length provides tequila producers with the ability to create a wide range of flavor profiles. It enables producers to cater to different preferences and tastes.
     
     
    Type Of Barrels

  • Oak barrels are the most commonly used type in tequila aging due to their particular characteristics. They provide flavors such as vanilla, caramel, and spice while allowing the tequila to breathe and develop complexity.
  • Bourbon barrels, which are made from charred American oak, can contribute distinct flavors like char, smoke, and sweetness to tequila during aging.
  • Wine barrels, especially those previously used for aging red wine, can impart fruity and tannic notes to tequila, adding layers of complexity to the flavor profile.
  •  
     
    Aging

  • The length of aging in barrels significantly affects the flavor development of tequila.
  • Tequilas labeled as “blanco” (white) or “silver” are typically unaged or aged for a short period, resulting in a fresher, agave-forward taste.
  • “Reposado” tequilas are aged for a minimum of two months but less than a year. This aging period allows the tequila to acquire some oak characteristics, including a smoother and more mellow flavor.
  • “Añejo” tequilas undergo longer aging, typically between one to three years. This extended period in barrels imparts richer, deeper flavors with prominent oak influence, such as caramel, chocolate, and toasted notes.
  • “Extra añejo” tequilas are aged for over three years, resulting in the most complex and refined flavor profiles. These tequilas exhibit an intense oak character, with flavors similar to aged spirits like whiskey or cognac.
  •  
    It’s worth noting that the impact of barrels on tequila flavor is not solely determined by the type and length of aging.

    Factors like the previous contents of the barrel, barrel size, and environmental conditions during aging also contribute to the final flavor outcome.

    Now, when you sip a glass of tequila and note the flavors of caramel, spice, smoke, etc., you know where they come from.
     
     
    GET YOUR TEQUILA

    Head to Eleven20Tequila.com.

    In addition to 750 ml bottles, there’s a tasting kit with three 200 ml bottles: Blanco, Reposado & Anejo. It’s a great gift for tequila fans.
     
     
    ABOUT ELEVEN 20 TEQUILA

    Eleven20 Tequila is an award-winning tequila crafted with traditional distilling techniques and a passion for excellence. Founded by a husband-and-wife team, the brand uses only premium blue agave sourced from producers in the region.

    The tequila is 100% artisanal, all-natural blue agave. It delivers notes that are smooth, a bit sweet, and with hints of spice.

    Through its commitment to quality, Eleven20 Tequila has become recognized as an innovator of flavor and aromas. Its signature blend being celebrated by mixologists and connoisseurs alike.

    The name “Eleven” represents the founders, Alec & Ana (“a” is the first letter of the alphabet, and the team conceived it as 1 and 1, expressed as 11).

    The “20” represents their team of 20 family members who operate a second-generation master distillery in historic Jalisco, Mexico.

     

    Bottle Of Eleven 20 Blanco Tequila
    [1] Eleven 20’s blanco tequila (all photos © Eleven20 Tequila).

    Shot Glass Of Eleven20 Tequila
    [2] A shot of blanco.

    Shot Of Eleven20 Tequila, Reposado (Aged)
    [3] A shot of añejo aged tequila.

    Frozen Margarita
    [4] The most popular tequila cocktail is a Margarita (this one is a frozen Margarita).

    Bottle Of Anejo Tequila In Front Of An Agave Plant
    [5] The agave plant grows tall. Tequila is made from the central core underneath, called the heart, which looks like a pineapple and is called a piña.

     

     
     

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    Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pie Recipe For National Peanut Butter & Chocolate Day

    There are lots of ways to enjoy peanut butter and chocolate. Just check out these 16 peanut butter and chocolate recipes.

    July 23rd is For National Peanut Butter & Chocolate Day, so we’ve got another recipe for you that requires minimum baking on a hot summer day—just 10 minutes for the crust.

    Before heading to the recipe below, mark your calendar for these reasons to make this delicious Chocolate & Peanut Butter Pie from Stonewall Kitchen.

    > January 23rd is National Pie Day.

    > January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day

    > July 7th is National Chocolate Day.

    > October 14th is National Dessert Day.

    > October 28th is National/World Chocolate Day.
     
     
    PLUS, TAKE A BITE OF:

    > The history of the peanut butter cup.

    > The history of peanut butter.

    > The history of chocolate.

    > The history of candy.

    > The history of pie.

    > The different types of pie.
     
     
    RECIPE: CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PIE

    This is almost a no-bake pie. The crust has to be baked for 10 minutes.

    If you don’t want to turn on the oven, you could substitute a purchased chocolate cookie crust.
     
    Ingredients For The Crust

  • 1-1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (substitute Oreo crumbs)
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
  •  
    For The Filling

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate morsels
  • 1/4 cup pecans, chopped and toasted
  • 1/4 cup English toffee (e.g. Heath Bar bits)
  • Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce, heated until pourable (or substitute any chocolate fudge sauce with some warm PB mixed in)
  •  
    Preparation

    1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F. Crush the chocolate graham crackers in a food processor fitted with a metal blade or by placing the crackers in a zip-lock bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.

    2. ADD the melted butter and confectioner’s sugar to the crumbs and mix. Place the crumbs in a 9-inch pie pan, pressing to line the bottom and sides of the pan.

    3. BAKE the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.

    4. COMBINE the peanut butter, 1 cup confectioner’s sugar, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla extract in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until combined, making sure to not over-mix.

    5. GENTLY fold in the whipped cream and chocolate morsels. Spread the filling evenly in the baked crumb crust.

    6. SPRINKLE the pecans and English toffee bits over the top of the pie.

    7. GENEROUSLY DRIZZLE the chocolate peanut butter sauce over the top of the pie. Chill the pie until ready to serve.

    Leftovers can be frozen. We like to freeze individual slices to make it easier to defrost just what we need.

    We even enjoy eating the pie frozen from the freezer.

     

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie
    [1] Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie, garnished with pecans, toffee bits, and chocolate peanut butter sauce (photos #1 and #2 © Stonewall Kitchen).

    Slice Of Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie
    [2] Cut leftovers into slices and freeze them for snack attacks.

    Box Of Nabisco Honey Maid Chocolate Graham Crackers
    [3] If you can’t find chocolate graham crackers, substitute Oreo or other chocolate cookie crumbs (photo © Mondelez International).

    Jar Of Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce
    [4] Stonewall Kitchen’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce. (photo © To The Nines).

    A Spoonful Of Heath Bar Toffee Bits
    [5] Heath Bar bits are a great garnish on pies and other baked goods, ice cream, pudding, and more (photo © Webstaurant Store).

     
     
     

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