Hot and cold, sweet and spicey \u2026 creamy and boozy?<\/p>\n
Haagen-Dazs in Vail is introducing a new line of sweet treats: products from the company\u2019s Spirits Line.<\/p>\n
The Spirits\u00a0Collection consists of six new flavors:\u00a0Irish cream brownie; bourbon praline cream; rum tres leches; bourbon vanilla bean\u00a0truffle;\u00a0stout chocolate pretzel crunch; and non-dairy amaretto black cherry almond toffee. Only Irish cream brownie and bourbon vanilla bean truffle will be available at the Vail Haagen-Dazs store, however, all flavors can be purchased in grocery stores.<\/p>\n
Ric Almas, owner of Vail\u2019s Haagen-Dazs, is looking forward to introducing the line, which will be available to purchase beginning in early March.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaagen-Dazs had a\u00a0Baileys Irish Cream flavor that ended up being in the top 10 flavors,\u201d Almas noted. \u201cThey got away from (that flavor) for 10 years \u2026 because Baileys jacked up the price after they realized how well it was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Almas, it took almost 10 years for Haagen-Dazs to find a recipe that tasted like Baileys.<\/p>\n
Almas expects the line to do well, citing the success of the Baileys flavor in the past, but he already has his favorite picked out.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrankly, I like the bourbon (vanilla bean truffle),\u201d Almas noted. However, he expects the Irish cream brownie to be the best seller, also predicting it\u2019ll be popular throughout the summer.<\/p>\n
Almas, who has opened several Haagen-Dazs stores over the years (including the first in the state of Florida), has been a bit of a Haagen-Dazs trailblazer since he took over. While most shops only sell ice cream, he\u2019s converted his store into a \u201cdessert cafe,\u201d selling baked goods and coffee. Almas said the Nespresso he offers is particularly popular with European visitors, a market that he thinks will enjoy the Spirits Collection as well.<\/p>\n
\u201c(The Irish cream)\u00a0is so pungent, it tastes so strong,\u201d Almas said. \u201cWhen it\u2019s mixed with coffee, it takes the\u00a0bitterness\u00a0out of the\u00a0Nespresso.\u201d<\/p>\n
Almas is also looking to get into the Uber Eats game. He\u2019d be one of only two stores in the valley taking advantage of Uber Eats, the paid food delivery service, the other being McDonald\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Aside from the new flavors, Haagen-Dazs will continue to serve rum raisin, a long-running flavor based on booze.<\/p>\n