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TRENDCENTRAL PICKS: ICE ICE BABY
Delicious frozen relief from the steamy summer streets
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As the thermometer's mercury slowly creeps north and the humidity brings out the crankiness in the best of us, the idea of a cold sweet treat (possibly with an adult beverage kick) sounds like the perfect foil to August's sticky summer heat. While we certainly love a dipped cone or retro Fla-Vor-Ice as much as the next guy, these new school icy snacks have us continually looking for an excuse to have dessert:
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Wine Cellar Sorbet
: How about a wine that doesn't require a designated driver after a few cups? Not only available in standards like Cabernet, Pinot and Riesling, this wine sorbet boasts a variety of adult beverage flavors minus the alcohol content. From the brunch Mimosa, to the sushi bar Sake, to the fortified wine Port, there is something in this collection of frozen goodness for everyone - even if your vino knowledge extends only to how many bottles of Two Buck Chuck you can carry out of Trader Joe's. Made from the same vintages and varietals as the names imply, each sorbet is created with said wine as the main ingredient, creating a unique dessert version of each beverage. While the sorbet is technically a frozen dessert, the concept of wine and food pairings is not lost on the Wine Cellar guys. Owners/creators Dave and Bret boast their knowledge of food and wine on the labels, suggesting food pairings for many of the selections. We're looking forward to waffles with a scoop of Mimosa.
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Coco Glace:
We'd rather be lounging under a palm tree while gazing out into a sea of turquoise water, piña colada in hand, but since a backyard will have to suffice for this summer's getaway, at least this dessert can offer a taste of the tropics. Discovered on our Fancy Food Show exploratory last month, the Thai import is a sweet, creamy, no-preservative mix of coconut water and coconut meat. Served up in its own shell, it's oh-so-cute, easy to eat, and very anti-waste (score!). Not to mention, coconuts are super high in potassium and calcium, giving the health-conscious permission to indulge in the not-so-guilty pleasure. Unfortunately for you coconut fans, it's relatively new on the market and currently only available at ethnic grocery stores in select states. Happy hunting!
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Adult Ices:
While popsicles, slushies and sno-cones (Where is that old Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine, anyway?) are often thought of as sticky handed kid territory, the addition of beverages that require proof of ID has spawned a number of grown-up spins on such treats. Bars and restaurants around the country are maturing the summer favorites with their own spiked interpretations. At Broadway 49 in NYC's Times Square, a sno-cone cart features flavors such as Loaded Grape and the Midori-infused Melon Fusion. Meanwhile, David Chang flagship Momofuku Noodle Bar in the East Village recently introduced Watermelon-Shochu slushies. The trend extends beyond Manhattan at La Marea in South Beach, where the cocktail menu features their signature Popsicle Martinis. In a variety of flavors such as Watermelon and Pineapple, each comes with a small popsicle frozen around a cinnamon stick inside the glass. For those whose neighborhood bars have yet to jump on the boozy ice bandwagon (or those who claim to be DIY averse), a pre-packaged version might soon be available in your grocer's freezer. Aptly named LiQ Bar, these rum and tequila popsicles come in Margarita and Daiquiri flavors. Currently available at select swanky hotels in Nevada, Florida and Arizona, we hope to see them hit grocery stores soon so that our rooftop parties, picnics in the park, and backyard BBQs can get a cool kick before Summer '09 is over.
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* trendcentral articles are designed to be trend reports, not endorsements * The Intelligence Group is a trend-forecasting and marketing Consultancy focused on Gen X, Gen Y and Tweens. For more information on our services, or to subscribe to our syndicated studies, The Cassandra Report, Tween Intelligence, Latino Intelligence, and Mom Intelligence, contact Alina Goncalves at 212-277-5299 or via email at agoncalves@intelg.com.
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