It may be the holidays, but the Alabama weather certainly can’t decide if it’s going to feel like it. Regardless of whether it’s cold or not outside, it’s always 100 percent acceptable to get ice cream. And with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream’s new holiday flavors now in stores, you’re definitely going to want to check them out. Think of it as a creative way to savor the season… I’ve tried them—here’s my review:
Boozy Eggnog
This one is for the eggnog lovers: It’s a velvety egg custard spiked with nutmeg and Uncle Nearest Whiskey. It’s rich and creamy. People often think eggnog tastes kinda like melted ice cream—so here’s the not melted version. (It even looks like eggnog, with its pale yellow coloring, ha!) Spike… I mean spice up your holidays with this flavor that’s egg-ceptionally festive (wink wink).
Cranberry Panettone with Chocolate Sprinkles
This is my personal favorite. The brioche-scented custard with cranberry–orange jam and chocolate sprinkles is somewhat similar to a wildberry cheesecake flavor, but better. If, like me, you didn’t know what a panettone is, it’s a domed, fluffy traditional Italian sweet bread. You might be skeptical, but I know several people who tried it and they also agreed it’s their new favorite too. Something about the rich, creaminess combined with the fruity tang, and the sweet bits of chocolate sprinkled throughout, is the perfect explosion of flavor in your mouth.
Dulce de Leche
The Dulce de Leche is gooey caramel swirled into sweetened condensed milk ice cream. It’s, in my opinion, the best flavor to pair with a chocolate or another one of Jeni’s classic flavors, like Gooey Butter Cake. The flavor is subtle, but also distinct. It’s like vanilla upon first taste, but elevated, with the nodes of caramel sneaking in to enhance the flavor—perfect for the caramel lovers out there.
Miso Butterscotch Brownie
The Miso Brownie is somewhat comparable to a cookies-n-cream, but better: Dark chocolate fudge brownies in buttery, toasted sugar and miso cream. It’s sweet, but not too sweet. The hint of butterscotch adds intensity and a creamy coziness to the flavor that makes it irresistible.
Pistachio Macaron
It’s honestly a lot like eating the nut, but instead it’s pure roasted pistachio cream with a honeyed, nougat-like texture. If you’re a fan of pistachio, it’s worth trying—it’s unlike any of the other pistachio-flavored ice cream flavors I’ve tried. (And I’ve tried a lot.) The taste is as vibrant as its green coloring.
White Chocolate Peppermint
There’s a difference between mint, peppermint, and candy cane—and to me, this sweet swirl of pink and white ice cream screams Candy Cane Lane in the best way. The white chocolate freckles are a bonus that add that little bit “extra” to it. It’s everything you need to get into the holiday spirit. I’d highly recommend serving it atop a brownie while watching a holiday classic… nothing better!
Now that I’ve made you hungry, be sure to stop by the Jeni’s closest to you to try these delicious flavors yourself. Lucky for us, we have one downtown at Pepper Place and one in Lane Parke. Visit jenis.com or call if you have questions. You can also find the return of the Wedding Cake flavor and the limited-time Dubai Chocolate Bar.
Mountain Brook:
931 Jemison Lane
Mountain Brook
Call (205) 677-6261
Hours:
Daily: Noon–11 p.m.
Pepper Place:
219 29th Street S
Birmingham, AL 35233
Call (205) 868-3416
Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 1–11 p.m.
Friday: Noon–Midnight
Saturday: 10 a.m.–Midnight
Sunday: Noon–Midnight
