Artiscoop ice cream ‘scoops up’ the spirit for Christmas
Published:Thursday | December 16, 2021 | 12:08 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
Christmas is what you make it. Come December 25, don’t let it only be about having a dinner that will have that health-conscious cousin of yours cheat her diet by going for seconds or about concocting a sorrel drink and fruitcake with the right amount of kick that essentially puts your mother’s mixture of the traditional Jamaican holiday table staples to shame.
This year, add something new. Pair ice cream with what you are already have planned for the menu and make it a chill celebration. Ice cream is known to boost serotonin levels, giving a good dose of happiness that many of us need this holiday season. One Jamaican has ‘scooped’ all the timeless classics into her formula for Christmas.
The festive flavours – made by Artiscoop – are twists on the season’s classics for a Jamaican Christmas, made fresh from local produce, with no artificial flavourings or preservatives.
Jodi-Ann Millen, owner and creator of Artiscoop, said that the brand and selection of premium artisan ice cream is for the adventurer in all of us. “Our signature menu has a good variety of flavours that caters to ice cream lovers, and there is something that everyone in the family can enjoy. It is for those who are bold and want to excite their palate and those interested in having new culinary experiences,” she told Food. “As we celebrate Christmas, I wanted to help get people into the festive mood and lift spirits, and who doesn’t love ice cream? So, last year when Artiscoop was officially launched, a menu specifically for the season was also created.”
She shared that the private affair was also a gift to herself, as the holidays are usually a double celebration in her home – with Millen’s birthday falling on December 19.
Christmas menu
This year turns into a triple celebration for the Artiscoop principal, who had previously experimented with unusual flavours such as soursop piña colada on its ‘Taste of the Tropics’ menu that was introduced in the summer, and the maple bacon (ice cream), which is on its brunch menu. The small-batch home-made artisan ice creamery is celebrating its first year of business and has added cool new treats and flavours.
The Christmas menu features the peppermint mocha, a chocolate and coffee base with a peppermint swirl; brownie candy cane made using a vanilla base with tiny pieces of brownie and candy cane, and ginger sorrel citrus, a ginger ice cream with a fruity mixture of sorrel and citrus. The unique pairing dubbed red wine and S’mores became a popular pick of Artiscoop customers, and the demand is growing during the holiday season. The brand also has a selection of sorbets for non-dairy consumers. The cranberry orange, which was a part of the launch, returns to the menu, and the sorrel sangria makes its début.
“Our themes are influenced by seasons, and the flavours are made accordingly, but through my making ice cream for several years just for fun, I’ve found that there is no one flavour that will work for everyone,” Millen shared.
“Food continues to be a cornerstone of all cultures, and this is one way to present Jamaica’s culture to the world as well as experience other cultures without leaving our borders. The feedback from the Christmas menu has been great for all flavours, and persons have included signature flavours, which are available year-round, in their dinner menus,” she continued.
Artiscoop ice creams are available for order through direct message on Instagram @Artiscoop, email address: artiscoopja@gmail.com or by calling (876)337-5224.