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Photo: K.R. Deepak

Chilled treats Summer with its soaring temperatures is perhaps the best time to enjoy a refreshing and delectable scoop of ice cream

Baskin Robbins (an American franchise) on the Statue-General Hospital Road offers ice creams in 33 flavours. And they come in exotic-sounding names such as ‘Banana Royale,’ ‘Brownie A La Mode’ and ‘Almond Praline.’

The joint, according to Praveen, an employee at Baskin Robbins, allows customers to try out the varieties on offer for free before they zero in on their favourite. Six kinds of toppings and chocolate and strawberry syrup come as added bonanza for those who enjoy ice cream sundaes.

If experimenting with different flavours of ice creams and toppings is what keeps you chilled out then Pick&Mix, near Hotel Amritha, in Thycaud, is the place to visit. This retail outlet serves Skei ice creams. The 20 varieties on offer include not-so-common flavours such as ‘mint,’ ‘ginger,’ ‘pepper,’ ‘coconut,’ and ‘rum & rave.’ Also on offer are 10 to 12 varieties of toppings and an equal number of syrups. One can savour a ‘desi’ topping, which includes ‘semia,’ ‘halwa,’ and ‘mango pulp.’ The brave can try out syrups such as mint, apricot and black currant as added flavours to the ice cream platter.

Those who prefer the mocktail or milk shake version of the ice cream should check out The Passion Fruit at Aster Square, Medical College. The joint offers over 80 varieties of mocktails. For those wondering what a mocktail is, Prem Jacob explains: “A mocktail is a mix of drinks without alcohol.”

This outlet has many fast-moving items including ‘Energizer’ (three varieties of ice cream and fruit), ‘Finesse’ (strawberry and ice cream) and ‘Something Special’ (dry fruits and ice cream).

Those with a sweet tooth will definitely relish ice cream cakes. Says C. Sunil Kumar, an employee at Pick&Mix, “Ice cream cakes are made by sandwiching two layers of ice cream in between two layers of cake.” Baskin Robbins also offers made-to-order ice cream cakes. The Passion Fruit offers slices of the cake for those who want to try it out first before ordering a whole cake.

For those who prefer relishing their ice cream in the comfort of their homes, come ice creams in various sized family packs. Baskin Robbins offers fat-free ice creams for the health conscious.

Pick&Mix plans to introduce ice creams meant for diabetics and to re-launch its once popular fried ice cream. Says Sunil, “Fried ice creams are made by deep frying scoops of ice creams coated with nuts and gram flour. The fried ice creams are hot on the outside and are mildly cold on the inside.”

To entice customers, the parlours offer discounts and other promotional schemes. Pick&Mix offers discounts on bulk purchases. Explains Sunil, “For a purchase of a four litre pack, there is a discount of up to Rs. 100.”

A club membership at Baskin Robbins avails the member a free scoop on their birthday or anniversary. A discount of 31 per cent is given to purchases above Rs. 310 on the last day of the months which have 31 days.

These outlets offer free home delivery for distances within a specified range and purchases made above a certain amount.

So, if you are wondering what can beat that summer heat, look no further!

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