Walk down any high street in the UK and you may notice the sheer number of American candy and retro sweet shops, opening at an astounding rate.
Now this might be a fashion, but interest in American and retro sweets could turn into a fully fledged trend. Either way, consumers are responding to the nostalgia of classic flavours as well as to treats from across the pond, so why not capitalise on it in your ice cream cabinet?
Retro
When we refer to the term ‘retro’ we mean something that has that nostalgic element, harping back to ‘simpler’ times. But what sweet flavours will be making a comeback (in a big way) in 2023? And how can you translate these to your cabinet? We take a look below…
Fruit Salad
A childhood favourite of the Antonelli team, it’s so easy to transform these flavours into its very own ice cream. Simply take a pineapple-based gelato and ripple raspberry through it.
Black Jack
Love it or hate it, this aniseed flavoured chew was a staple of sweet shop shelves. Achieving this iconic flavour can be done in a few ways; either use a liquorice base with paired with black food colouring or rippling black liquorice through a white base will give the ideal profile of the Black Jack.
Parma Violets
This would make a truly great gelato flavour and one that we have seen translated across many products (parma violet gin anyone?). All you need is a parma violet essence and purple colouring to recreate this popular flavour.
Fizzy Cola Bottles
An oldie but a goodie! Using your favourite brand of cola (no taking sides here), mix with your stabiliser and sugar to create a delicious cola sorbet.
Rhubarb and Custard
A really lovely flavour that can be enjoyed year-round (trend or no trend), Rhubarb and Custard flavour ice cream can be created by using rhubarb ice cream with a custard ice cream folded in.
American candy
We’re hopping over the pond for our next trend as we take inspiration from some of the USA’s most well-known confectionery flavours.
Pop Tarts
A breakfast staple for many, the Strawberry Pop Tart will translate into a delicious ice cream. Using a pastry flavoured paste such as croissant, ripple through strawberry and white chocolate to capture the flavour. And don’t forget to decorate with hundreds and thousands!
Milk Duds
Who doesn’t enjoy chocolate and caramel? Chocolate coated caramel candies, Milk Duds, in ice cream form will combine a classic caramel gelato with Stracciatella rippled through.
Red Hots
This one isn’t for the faint hearted, but one that will make an attractive flavour in your cabinet for daring customers. Add cinnamon and chilli powder to your base mix with a bright red colouring.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
If one flavour could represent US confectionery, it may very well be this one! Achieving the chocolatey peanut butter flavour will see us mix peanut butter paste rippled through with Stracciatella.
Candy Corn
Not just an American Halloween staple but one that we think can be enjoyed year-round! Mix sweet vanilla ice cream with honey and butter to give that tasty candy corn flavour.
Transport your customers with your decoration
Of course, what will truly set your nostalgic or US flavours apart and transport your customers to your desired time or location, will be utilising these highly recognisable sweets or confectionery items as decoration.
Be creative with your decoration and your ice cream names, the opportunities are truly endless so make sure your ice cream is catching the eye of your customers!
You can even go that extra mile and offer your customers retro foam toppings, such as shrimps, fried eggs and even foam bananas.
If you’re looking for any inspiration, guidance on quantities or simply want to chat about the latest and greatest trends, feel free to contact the Antonelli team.