We at the DSSC Headquarters observe summers with gusto. To welcome the notorious season, one of muggy days and slow afternoons, we stock up the refrigerator befittingly with frozen treats that never cease to please. Ice-creams are our go-to nosh on sweltering noons when temperatures soar, when the vegetables get boring and repetitive, and when appetite levels tumble. #DSSCRecommends stellar ice-cream flavours available in Delhi to help you cool down this summer.
Naturals Tender Coconut Ice-Cream
Naturals started with an outlet in Mumbai, and is now a well-received house of ice-cream that services eleven states across the country. They offer a whopping selection of 125 flavours, of which 20 are perennially available. Their tender coconut ice-cream is what dreams are made of — creamy and bursting with flavour, with bits of tender coconut gracing each bite — and tops our list of recommendations. Close on its heels is the custard apple flavour which garners a massive fan following when in season. Other seasonal favourites include litchi, fig, jackfruit, mango, muskmelon, watermelon, and kala jamun among others.
Drop in at: L-8, Outer Circle, Connaught Place; Ground Floor, DLF Galleria, DLF Phase 4, Gurugram; and four other outlets spread across the city.
Minus 30’s Dark Chocolate Ice-Cream
With an irresistible list of flavours, Minus 30 by Gayatri Narang makes gelatos that do not contain artificial flavours or preservatives. We particularly dig their dark chocolate scoops. Also worth a try are the caramel, matcha, honeycomb, double roasted hazelnut, and banoffee flavours. If you love your tipples as much as we do, you may want to try their Intox range of ice-creams that features such flavours as Baileys, Dark Chocolate & Cointreau. Vegan ice-creams are available too. They also take requests for sugar-free and lactose-free ice-creams if made in advance.
Drop in at: www.minus30.co. Contact +919871028888 to place an order.
IIC’s Honey & Fig Ice-Cream
The coveted members-only dining room of the Indian International Centre (IIC) serves an endearing treat — a house made Honey & Fig ice cream that is worth asking your member friends for a favour (or indulging your friends’ requests if you happen to be a member!). The ice-cream was introduced in 2005 and continues to ring in multiple orders everyday. The Jaggery & Ginger ice cream introduced by the IIC kitchen a couple of years later, is also a winsome combination that is worth a scoop or two.
Drop in at: 40, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate
Pabrai’s Nolen Gur Ice-Cream
Pabrai’s serves up natural ice-creams in more than 50 flavours. The fruit-based ice-creams are prepared from seasonal fruits while all others are made using all-natural ingredients. The DSSC ninjas fell for their Nolen Gur ice-cream which they serve with an extra drizzle of date palm jaggery or nolen gur. Pabrai’s offer unusual flavours such as sandalwood, lemongrass and wasabi — all of which make it to our must-try list.
Drop in at: EG – 01, Rodeo Drive, South City – II, Sector 49, Opp. Good Earth City Centre, Gurugram
The Funnel Hill Creamery’s Gothic Ice-Creams
With their enchanting flavours and enticing looks, The Funnel Hill Creamery tops the charts for having the most Instagrammable ice-creams on offer. A black cone with a scoop of black coconut ice-cream, anyone? Try Nightmare and others from their range of Gothic ice-creams. Their funnel cones have such fascinating flavours as Berry Blush, Tiramisu, and S’mores. Or try the fantastical bubble waffles in flavours such as Unicorn Dream and Cookies and Cream.
Drop in at: G-55, Ground Floor, Main Market, Green Park
While ice-cream parlours are mushrooming in the capital, some more ice-creams deserve a shout out. Nirula’s Hot Chocolate Fudge topped with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and a generous sprinkle of nuts for instant satiation; Indian Accent’s Pomegranate Kulfi makes for a decadent palate cleanser in between spoonfuls of one of the best meals in town; Bhane’s salted caramel ice-cream may not be available anymore but we hope it makes a comeback soon. While on the city’s best ice-creams trail, don’t forget to drive to India Gate for ice-cream that comes with a dollop of nostalgia.