Ice cream has to be one of the most beloved desserts, not only for its taste, but for its ability to pair with so many other flavours. The same can be said for Ice cream concentrates.
Introduction to Ice Cream
The beauty of Ice cream is far more than its usefulness as a flavour profile. It can be used to add some extra body or richness, or to help tone down harsher or bolder mixes. It also has the potential to be an alternative, at least in part, to traditional sweeteners.
Almost all Ice cream concentrates are vanilla based, and quite frankly, they’re the most useful and all I ever use. Besides, one can easily add a dollop or two of other flavours into the mix. I don’t regard ice cream as a stand-alone flavour, and more times than not, I utilise it as a subtle layer or additive, for both complementary and contrasting profiles. Also as a sweetener, and or part of a sweetener base.
Ice Cream Uses
The Basics
For many, ice cream concentrates are fine straight out of the bottle, but some prefer to kick them up a notch or two, adding extra richness, creaminess or sweetness.
VBIC shines when blending supporting dairy flavours such as custards, creams or vanillas. This can be particularly worthwhile if you’re wanting to make an ice cream profile, or a base.
The most basic of ice cream recipes is adding flavours such as berries, butterscotch, chocolate, coconut, bakery elements, or any number of complementary desserts. Pairing suggestions below.
General Ice Cream Uses
The Basics
For many, ice cream concentrates are fine straight out of the bottle, but some prefer to kick them up a notch or two, adding extra richness, creaminess or sweetness.
VBIC shines when blending supporting dairy flavours such as custards, creams or vanillas. This can be particularly worthwhile if you’re wanting to make an ice cream profile, or a base.
The most basic of ice cream recipes is adding flavours such as berries, butterscotch, chocolate, coconut, bakery elements, or any number of complementary desserts. Pairing suggestions below.
Fruits and Ice Cream
Simplicity
Fruits are possibly the easiest of recipes and blend very well with ice cream. Try around 4% of vanilla ice cream, and start with 1-2 % of fruits, such as Strawberry, pineapple, pear, apple or passionfruit.
These add some extra sweetness to ice creams and make really nice simple recipes. For some additional richness try adding up to 1% of cream. Flavorah Cream, FlavourArts Fresh Cream or Vienna work nicely.
Coconut can blend nicely also, or a mixture of nuts. I recommend you try Flavorah Sweet Coconut, FlavourArt Mixed Nuts and Flavor West Hazelnut; this concentrate adds a lovely creamy element too.
Fruits & Ice Cream
Simplicity
Fruits are possibly the easiest of recipes and blend very well with ice cream. Try around 4% of vanilla ice cream, and start with 1-2 % of fruits, such as Strawberry, pineapple, pear, apple or passionfruit.
These add some extra sweetness to ice creams and make really nice simple recipes. For some additional richness try adding up to 1% of cream. Flavorah Cream, FlavourArts Fresh Cream or Vienna work nicely.
Coconut can blend nicely also, or a mixture of nuts. I recommend you try Flavorah Sweet Coconut, FlavourArt Mixed Nuts and Flavor West Hazelnut; this concentrate adds a lovely creamy element too.
Flavours of the earth
Contrats - Mellowing
I generally enjoy more earthy or bolder flavours such as tobaccos, coffees and various fusions, often with low percentages of rum or bourbons. Flavorah’s Bourbon adds a nice contrast to VBIC with oak and smokey elements.
Therefore, if I use ice cream, it’s primarily to add or elevate any sweetness, or as an additive or subtle enhancer per se. Less is often more, especially when you’re looking to add nuance, as opposed to a full on flavour.
Flavours of the Earth
Contrast - Mellowing
I generally enjoy more earthy or bolder flavours such as tobaccos, coffees and various fusions, often with low percentages of rum or bourbons. Often I’ll add 0.25-0.5% of coconut too, which blends well if using VBIC.
Therefore, if I use ice cream, it’s primarily to add or elevate any sweetness, or as an additive or subtle enhancer per se. Less is often more, especially when you’re looking to add nuance, as opposed to a full on flavour.
Pairing Suggestions
Explore
When it comes to ice creams, as with virtually all concentrates, one’s options for pairing are limitless. Having said that, below are some fairly common, and a few uncommon pairing ideas that you may wish to explore. Some of my favourite pairings, for multiple uses, are –
Flavorah – Cream, Vanilla Bean, Blueberry Muffin, Sweet Coconut, Apple Filling, Smoked Butterscotch, Bourbon, Vanilla Custard.
FlavourArt – Butterscotch, Caramel, Jamaican Rum (special), Marshmallow, Meringue, Dark Bean, UP.
Juice Factory – Maple Syrup, Passionfruit Mix, Pineapple, Mango, Espresso.
TFA – TPA – Butter, Vanilla Custard, Kentucky Bourbon, Kahlua and Cream, Pear.
Medicine Flower – Banana, Caramel.
Flavor West – Butterscotch Ripple, Butter Rum, Hazelnut.
LorAnn – Banana Cream Clear, Butter Rum.
Purilum – Marshmallow, Caramel Coffee With Sweet Milk.
Vape Train – Recently, I’ve been testing some Vape Train concentrates, and many blend very well with VBIC. More favourites include their Bourbon, Light Rum, Coffee Liqueur, English Toffee, Honeycomb, Toffee Ice Cream.
Dairy
Other Ice Creams
Creams
Milk
Butter
Cheese
Cheesecake
Bakery
Cakes
Cake Batter
Cookies
Cookie Dough
Doughnuts
Graham Cracker
Dessert
Custard
Meringue
Marzipan
Chocolate
Caramel
Butterscotch
Sugars - Sweet
Maple Syrup
Honey
Molasses
Marshmallow
Candies -Sweets
Bubble Gum
Floral - Plant
Vanilla
Hibiscus
lavender
Elderflower
Rose
Eucalyptus
Mint
Alcohol
Bourbon
Whiskey
Brandy
Amaretto
Rum
Irish Cream
Eggnog
Fruits
Acai
Banana
Passionfruit
Coconut – Nuts
Dragon Fruit
Strawberry – Berries
Pink Guava
Other
Tobacco
Coffee
Spice
Herbs
Smokey
Menthol
Additives
Dairy
Dessert
Additional Ice Creams (VBIC)
Creams
Milk
Butter
Cheese
Cheesecake
Custard
Meringue
Marzipan
Chocolate
Caramel
Butterscotch
Bakery
Sugars-Sweet
Cakes
Cake Batter
Cookies
Cookie Dough
Doughnuts
Graham Cracker
Maple Syrup
Honey
Molasses
Marshmallow
Candies -Sweets
Bubble Gum
Recommended Concentrates
Favourites
Flavor West Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
A creamy, fairly smooth and sweet vanilla, although relatively light. I get very little butter or eggy notes and the cream aspect is somewhat soft. There’s no pepper or spice here, just a light blend of vanilla and cream. My favourite VBIC to use for a base.
Capella Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
A semi-sweet, pepper-free vanilla with a mid-level density to the mouthfeel. The buttery element is light as are the eggy notes. A well respected representation.
TFA Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Many consider this the king of ice creams, and whilst it’s a great flavour, it’s always subjective. A cross between TFA vanilla custard and TFA vanilla swirl. There’s a peppery element that some dislike but it’s a very good ice cream. More on the custard side with vanilla bean notes.
Liquid Barn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
A rich, bright, buttery VBIC with emphasis on the vanilla notes. At higher percentages it gets a tad dry, yet, offers a slight maltol note. This is a superb VBIC and among my favourite when mixing with lighter complimentary flavours – such as fruits and light bakery’s.
TFA Vanilla Bean Gelato
A nice rich semi-sweet, creamy, eggy vanilla, with a nice balance of buttery notes. Whilst there are custard notes included (butyric acid) it’s nothing like the intensity of TFA’s VBIC.
Hangsen French Vanilla Bean Ice cream
A very rich, creamy, buttery ice cream with a distinct off note, sort of pungent and slightly sour. This is essentially more a vanilla cream and works best as an additive. I need more time to explore its potential, but I feel this is an important addition to the ice cream-cream family.
Tips on using Ice Cream
Ice cream is cold, so unless you’re wanting to use it without the chill, perhaps to add body or flavour only, you’ll need to add FA’s Polar Blast, TFA’s Koolada, or similar.
There are many ways to experiment with ice cream – Making a base, adding additional richness, blending it with complementary flavours, or utilising contrasting flavours such as tobacco or coffees. For something along the lines of a base, look at flavours such as creams, milk, vanilla, custards, marshmallow, coconut, marzipan and even a dash of alcohol or eucalyptus – Molinberry Eucalyptus and Mint is certainly worth a try.
- Ice creams can really benefit from a 2 week steep or more
- Marzipan, one of FA’s best sweeteners, pairs nicely with ice creams
- Lemon and lime blend well in low percentages. Start at around 0.25 %
- Ice creams can tone down harsher or bolder flavours. Try 0.5 – 1 %
- Flavorah’s smoked butterscotch is an excellent pairing, and one of my favourites
- Flavorah’s caramel is an excellent alternative to brown sugar
- Rums and Bourbons are a must try with VBIC
- Blackberry, blueberry and other darker fruits are excellent with ice cream
- Molinberry Eucalyptus and Mint is a great alternative to menthol
- Vape Train Toffee Ice Cream is a must try, straight or blending
- Also look at our posts on cream and vanilla flavours.
How I Test Flavours
Flavours are mixed in a 50-50 blend of PG & VG. Zero nicotine and generally steeped for 2 weeks. Three vape devices are used including an RDA.
How I Test Flavours
Flavours are mixed in a 50-50 blend of PG & VG. Zero nicotine and generally steeped for 2 weeks. Three vape devices are used including an RDA.
Charles Yates
Ex-smoker, current vaper and THR advocate. I started The Vapers Table in 2011 to offer information and support for smokers looking to transition to vaping. My interests are- Helping smokers quit, food, cooking, flavours, music, orchestral composing-studio recording & technology, travel & country road trips.
This Post Has 2 Comments
Hey Charles, just taking some time to check out your other posts and I’m enjoying them. Just a heads up – The Steamery (AU) has HS French Vanilla Ice Cream in stock today I noticed – I literally spent near 6 months chasing this concentrate down as it was out of stock everywhere, and thanks to my love for ice cream I ended up paying for postage from North America. I say get it while they’ve got it because it’ll go! It’s a nice additive for ice-creams, not the be-all end-all as I’d hoped but enjoyable, it may need longer steeping.. I have the trinity vanilla ice cream by eyemakepizza currently a week into steeping 🙂
Hi again,
Funny you should mention the Hangsen concentrates, just got mine in from The Steamery last week. I bought the Ice Cream, French Vanilla Ice Cream and Cream. Currently steep all. Will report on my thoughts in about a month. Cheers, will come visit the store again soon.
Take Care,
Charles