Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream: Alcohol-Free Delight

Mint chocolate chip ice cream is a popular frozen treat, with a creamy texture and a refreshing flavour. It is often made with milk, cream, sugar, and peppermint or spearmint extract, and is studded with chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. While some recipes include a small amount of alcohol, such as vanilla extract or whiskey, others omit it. This raises the question: is there alcohol in mint chocolate chip ice cream, and if so, what impact does it have on the flavour and texture?

Mint chocolate chip ice cream recipes

Mint chocolate chip ice cream is a popular flavour, and you can make it at home with just a few basic ingredients. While there are many variations, most recipes call for milk, cream, sugar, peppermint extract, and chocolate. Here are some tips and tricks for making your own delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream:

Ingredients

For the creamiest results, use whole milk and heavy cream. You can use granulated sugar, and if you want to enhance the mint flavour, go for pure peppermint extract. For the chocolate, you can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate bar, chopped into small bits, or mini chocolate chips. You can even make your own chocolate chips by melting and re-freezing the chocolate before chopping it into chunks to keep it creamy when frozen. If you want to add a pop of colour, a drop or two of green food colouring is enough.

Method

In a bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, and peppermint extract until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream. Turn on your ice cream maker and pour the mixture in, churning for about 20-25 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of churning, slowly add in the chopped chocolate. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least an hour, preferably several hours, before enjoying your homemade treat.

Variations

Feel free to experiment with different types of mint, such as spearmint, or a combination of spearmint and peppermint. You can also substitute peppermint extract with vanilla extract for a regular chocolate chip ice cream. If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can make a base by whipping heavy cream and stirring in sweetened condensed milk, then adding the flavourings and chocolate chips. Remember, if your ice cream has no added alcohol, it's best to eat it within a day or two, as it will start to get very hard.

Using peppermint or spearmint

There are over 600 varieties of mint, each with its own unique flavour. Spearmint is relatively mild, while peppermint has a more intense flavour due to its higher menthol content. Most fresh mint sold in grocery stores is spearmint, but you can use either peppermint or spearmint in your mint chocolate chip ice cream.

If you are using fresh mint, you can use either peppermint or spearmint leaves. The taste of ice cream using fresh mint is said to be out of this world, so if you can get your hands on fresh mint, it is highly recommended. To use fresh mint, put the mint leaves in a heavy saucepan with the milk and cream.

If you do not have access to fresh mint, you can use peppermint extract. This is made from just peppermint, whereas mint extract is a combination of peppermint and spearmint. You can substitute peppermint extract with another extract flavour, such as vanilla. If you are using peppermint extract, heat one cup of milk with one cup of cream and the sugar and salt until steaming. Then, add two teaspoons of peppermint extract to the chilled custard mixture.

If you are using spearmint, follow the same process as for peppermint, but be aware that you may want to use a bit more since its flavour is milder.

Adding chocolate chips

There are several methods to add chocolate chips to your ice cream without this unwanted side effect. One way is to melt the chocolate completely and pour the liquid chocolate into the ice cream just before putting it in the freezer. If the ice cream mixture is still warm, you run the risk of making chocolate ice cream instead. Another method is to melt and refreeze the chocolate before chopping it into chunks, which will stay nice and creamy once the ice cream is frozen.

Chocolate chips can also be added to ice cream without melting them first. You can add pre-made chocolate chips to ice cream, and they will stay in the shape you added them in. However, chocolate expert Alice Medrich recommends using mini chocolate chips or chopping conventional-size chocolate chips into smaller pieces to avoid large chunks of chocolate. Alternatively, you can create thin, irregular chips that seem truly authentic and an integral part of the ice cream experience. To do this, you can melt the chocolate and drizzle it into the churning ice cream in small intervals, immediately stirring the ice cream to break up the chocolate.

Using food colouring

While making mint chocolate chip ice cream, you can use food colouring to give it a green hue. However, this is entirely optional, as the ice cream will taste the same without it.

Some people dislike green-coloured mint ice cream, arguing that mint extract is naturally white, not green. They suggest that adding green food colouring only serves to trick people into thinking there is mint in the ice cream. Nevertheless, others argue that the colour enhances the perception of the mint flavour. Indeed, some people find it helpful to have the green colour as an indicator that the ice cream is mint-flavoured rather than vanilla with chocolate chips.

If you do decide to add food colouring to your mint chocolate chip ice cream, you can add a few drops of green food colouring to the mixture. You can add the colouring while stirring milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt together in a large bowl.

When making mint chocolate chip ice cream, you can use fresh mint or mint extract. If using fresh mint, you can use either spearmint, which is milder, or peppermint, which has a higher menthol content and a more intense flavour.

Homemade vs store-bought

Mint chocolate chip is a popular ice cream flavour that can be easily made at home or bought at a store. While both options have their advantages, there are some distinct differences between the two.

Firstly, in terms of ingredients, store-bought ice cream often contains preservatives and chemicals that act as additives to prolong shelf life and enhance colour and flavour. These additives may not always be beneficial for health or taste. On the other hand, homemade ice cream allows for greater control over ingredients, enabling you to use healthier alternatives and customise flavours to your preference. For instance, you can adjust the intensity of the mint flavour or the amount of chocolate chips in your mint chocolate chip ice cream. Additionally, homemade ice cream tends to be made with fewer ingredients, while store-bought ice cream may have a long list of ingredients that are not typically found in household kitchens.

Secondly, the preparation methods differ between homemade and store-bought ice cream. Homemade ice cream is typically crafted by hand in small batches, either using an ice cream maker or traditional methods without machinery. This hands-on approach ensures a high level of care and attention to detail. In contrast, store-bought ice cream is generally produced by large machines in factories, which may result in a different texture. Store-bought ice cream often has a lighter, airier texture due to its mass production, while homemade ice cream tends to be creamier and smoother, especially when whipped and blended by hand.

Another difference lies in the health aspects of the ice cream. Homemade ice cream is generally considered healthier as it allows for the reduction of sugar and fat content without compromising taste. Store-bought ice cream often contains higher levels of sugar and fat to enhance texture and prolong shelf life. Additionally, with an ice cream maker, you can explore dairy-free alternatives, catering to those looking to reduce their dairy consumption or accommodate dietary restrictions.

Lastly, the availability and convenience of store-bought ice cream cannot be overlooked. While homemade ice cream requires time and effort, store-bought ice cream offers a quick and easily accessible option, especially when craving a frozen treat. Furthermore, store-bought ice cream provides a broader range of flavour options, from specialty brands with unique mix-ins to classic flavours like vanilla or Neapolitan.

In conclusion, both homemade and store-bought mint chocolate chip ice cream have their advantages. Homemade ice cream offers customisation, healthier ingredient options, and a creamier texture, while store-bought ice cream provides convenience, a broader flavour selection, and easier accessibility. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on individual preferences, time constraints, and specific dietary needs.

Frequently asked questions