With summer fast approaching, we all have frozen treats on the brain. If you’re looking for something that packs a more flavourful punch than off-the-truck lollies, with more glam than you’ll find in typical soft serve, then Godiva has you covered. Maddie Salters visited Godiva’s Regent Street location for the re-launch of its ice cream trio, to get the low down on what’s a must-try.
The Godiva flagship store is an oasis of calm on the busy shopping street. Even packed to the nines for the re-launch of their spring and summer lineup, the store’s effortlessly chic, clean feel, bolstered by friendly staff and floor-length windows that let the sun shine through, made me feel at home right away – if my living room happened to house an impressive collection of truffles, that is.
Although old staples like Godiva’s chocolate covered strawberries and icy Chocolixir drinks were temptingly on display, the soft cream was the main star of the event. Their flavours, which include Chocolate, Vanilla, and Swirl, are especially appealing for real chocolate connoisseurs. The Vanilla option is bolstered by creamy white chocolate, which gives the ice cream a finer texture and deeper taste, while the chocolate variety contains 72% dark chocolate. Along with being calorie-conscious, this makes for a chocolate ice cream that’s light and deliciously in line with what chocolate should taste like, with the cocoa notes overtaking the tang of the sugar. It’s sweet, but it tastes like the genuine article. As for the the Swirl? It’s the best of both worlds, speaking from personal experience– I’d pick it every time.
Most exciting for me was that Godiva had set up a dressing station for our cups and cones. Like an old-time candy parlour, waiters in pastel aprons and pin stripes handed out our ice cream of choice, and then we popped over to accessorise it with a mountain of toppings. Chocolate syrup, chocolate flakes, and hazelnut crumb were all on offer, but my recommendation would be to go with the Crispy Pearls in dark chocolate. Along with being a Godiva exclusive, their light crunch balances out the custard-like consistency of the ice cream out well.
Because I can’t help but mention the Chocolixers, if you’re more in the mood for a milkshake than a cone when you pop in, then the Iced Dark Chocolate Raspberry Chocolixir won’t steer you wrong. Belgian chocolate blended with raspberry jam and vanilla whipped cream: yes, please. (They also come in milk chocolate, white chocolate, and hazelnut varieties.)
As ever, dark chocolate goes well with bubbly drinks, and the sweet rosé provided by Bluebell Sussex was a nice surprise. A thoroughly English brand, it really pulled together the feeling of the launch being a London affair: energy and elegance with a gourmet touch.
A cone at Godiva will run you £4.50 – and even that can be accessorised, with a chocolate-dipped waffle cone and an embellished Godiva square. (Why not?)
If your head isn’t already spinning with ice cream dreams, keep in mind they have a Twitter and Instagram competition coming up, win some refreshing treats!
Visit Godiva Regent Street at 141 Regent Street, W1B 4JA or look up your nearest location online at godivachocolates.co.uk. Follow @godivauk on Twitter and Instagram to be kept up-to-date with their competition news.
