It doesn’t happen often but occasionally in one’s life their two worlds collide. In this case it’s the love of bourbon and ice cream. It’s not really a collision but a collaboration between New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, and Graeter’s Ice Cream in Cincinnati, Ohio, America’s oldest family-owned and operated craft ice cream maker. The two may be separated by a river but the local Purple People Bridge has brought the two companies together to create a delightful Bourbon Ball Ice Cream.
Introducing a Single Barrel Bourbon-Infused Ice Cream
Graeter’s Bourbon Ball Ice Cream is a rich, bourbon-infused ice cream with whiskey-glazed pecans and dark chocolate chips. Each bite captures the signature flavors from a hand-selected single barrel of New Riff’s expertly crafted bourbon, offering a one-of-a-kind ice cream experience that blends tradition, craftsmanship, and indulgence. Bourbon Ball will replace Graeter’s Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan and is an evolution of the beloved flavor, bringing the recipe into the next generation.
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“We are thrilled to collaborate with New Riff Distilling to create a flavor that celebrates two iconic treats: Kentucky Bourbon and ice cream,” said Richard Graeter, fourth-generation president and CEO, Graeter’s. “Working with the team at New Riff to taste and select a special Single Barrel, our team has created the perfect fusion of our hand-crafted process and New Riff’s exceptional distilling, delivering a unique experience that honors the rich flavors of Kentucky.”
New Riff’s commitment to time-honored bourbon-making techniques made them a natural partner for this collaboration. By incorporating their award-winning bourbon into Graeter’s small-batch French Pot ice cream, the two brands have created a bold yet balanced dessert that speaks to bourbon enthusiasts and ice cream lovers alike.
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with another local, family-owned business that shares our passion for craft and quality,” said Mollie Lewis, president, New Riff Distilling. “Graeter’s has been an incredible partner – not only do they make amazing ice cream, but the way they incorporated our Single Barrel Bourbon into this recipe blew us away. It’s the perfect blend of two great traditions, and we can’t wait for everyone to get a taste.”
Graeter’s Bourbon Ball Ice Cream is available now at New Riff Distilling, Graeter’s scoop shops, online, and at Meijer, Jungle Jim’s, and Dorothy Lane Market stores.
Since 1870, five generations of the Graeter family have remained committed to handcrafting only the most indulgent ice cream available. From humble beginnings serving ice cream from a cart in Cincinnati to the nationwide presence of Graeter’s Ice Cream today, the family has stayed true to the traditional “French Pot” method and is the only company in the world that still makes ice cream at scale this way. Graeter’s has 50+ retail stores and ships more than 300,000 pints annually. The brand can also be found in more than 3,000 grocery stores in 46 states.
New Riff Distilling starts with time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards, creating new riffs on old traditions since 2014. Located in Northern Kentucky – the gateway to bourbon country – the independently-owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin, now available nationwide. New Riff sources its water from an alluvial aquifer under the distillery, accessed via a 100’ deep private well and providing cold, clean and mineral-rich water perfect for whiskey making. The Aquifer Tasting Room, located on the third floor of the distillery, features signature cocktails, flights, and pours of New Riff’s entire portfolio of award-winning spirits including rare, limited-edition, and distillery-exclusive releases. Bourbon and rye are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program offering a variety of selection options and personalized labels.
Learn more about New Riff Distilling.
Learn more about The B-Line.
Learn more about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
The Graeter’s Ice Cream Unique French Pot Process
Like many heritage bourbon makers who haven’t changed their recipe or bourbon making process since the 1800s, Graeter’s is just the same. Graeter’s traditional, and unique, French Pot batch process is the only way to craft authentic ice cream. Their old-world process brings a taste of days gone by to a modern world. Their 2 ½ gallon batch size is the industry’s smallest. By freezing a high-butterfat mix in such small batches, they produce a dense product with no added air. If you haven’t had it, go out and get you some!
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