VODKA IN ICE CREAM? STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM

Cheers to Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream? I know ice cream is for parties, but what kind of parties? No, really, the reason I ask is because one “secret” trick to making homemade ice cream is using a little vodka in the recipe. It really does make the ice cream ever so smooth and luscious without changing the flavor. There is a one little tiny problem with vodka being added to my recipes though.

Here in the South, “good” church goers don’t drink and and would hate to get caught going into or out of the liquor store by someone in the Sunday School class. If you live in the South, you will understand this predicament. Everyone knows that I use wine in tons of my recipes so I am used to “the look”, but my mother-in-law is still not used to it. (By the way, I do only get the tiny 2 ounce bottles for the sake of not having it in the house around the children). She is a fantastic cook and uses vodka in her brownies, and icing for cakes, among other things.

My very funny mother-in-law has visited the liquor store, but has stories that would make you fall out of your chair in laughter about her antics to keep from getting caught. She usually waits to get it at the beach where no one knows her. You must know though that my father-in-law is one of the finest Bible teachers in the world.

Vodka is used in tinctures to aid the liver, in extracts and medicines, and even as deodorizers, but that is for another blog. Today, I am focusing on its use in ICE CREAM!

Vodka is perfect for frozen treats such as ice cream. Vodka lowers the freezing point of the ice cream thereby eliminating the formation of large ice crystals. It also bonds to the water and the fat making it capable of extracting flavor compounds. This results in a softer smooth creamy texture that doesn’t get crunchy and that is maxed out with flavor.

Please note that there are no substitutions for vodka. Although vodka adds so much to this recipe, it is fine to leave it out if you don’t have any or don’t want to use it. You will still end up with an awesome ice-cream without the vodka.

You are going to be totally amazed at this ice-cream.Your family is going to beg you to “make some more” as soon as the last bite is eaten.