COCONUTS HOT SPOT — What exactly should we call Hazel’s Ice Cream Parlor and Fine Drinks? To say it simply, it’s an ice cream parlor where adults can enjoy their favorite sundae alongside unusual, artisan cocktails.
With a restaurant design and menu influenced by the U.S. national prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s, owner Somkiat Pairotmahakit, or Chef Joke as he’s known in the foodie community, thought the concept of illicit alcoholic beverages alongside ice cream was unique. “Hazel” was the name of the chef’s great-grandmother.
“The United States banned sales of recreational alcoholic beverages in the 1920s, but drugstores were still allowed to sell alcohol as an ingredient for medicine,” Waranya Tiammeung, the manager of the ice cream/bourbon bar told Coconuts.
“So the drugstores would have a separate space for medicinal services, where they would mix cognac or whisky in their soda. A drugstore where you can find soda, milkshakes, and ice cream sounded like fun, so we took that concept,” she said.
Hazel’s Ice Cream Parlor and Fine Drinks offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic ice cream treats served in the form of sundaes, milkshakes, and soda floats. There are four flavors of ice cream to choose from: Absinthe Cream, Stout Vanilla, Bourbon Vanilla, and Rum Raisin. Non-alcoholic flavors are Vanilla Madagascar, Single Origin Chocolate, and Balsamic Strawberry.
We tried The Green Fairy Sundae (THB290), the sweet-looking, flavorful bestseller. Smooth ice cream made that smells of absinthe is topped with dark caramel, mint syrup, whipped cream, and smoked pomelo skin. Meanwhile, Very Berry Strawberry and Cherry Ice Cream Float (THB180) is a kid-friendly entry that mixes homemade strawberry juice and soda, finished off with a big scoop of strawberry ice cream and oozing syrup.
The parlor also created Mulled Wine Ice Cream with Christmas Chocolate Bark (THB320) as a special item only for the holiday season. Wine ice cream and raspberry pureé were set over a white chocolate base, sprinkled with dried and fresh berries. For extra crunchiness, the dessert was finished off with waffles and chocolate bars.
Bourbon lovers will love the collection of Tennessee bourbons that the bar has to offer. We tasted Made in the Shade (THB320), a cocktail with Monkey Shoulder blended with Sour Cherry Syrup, Elderflower Soda, and Bittermens Burlesque Bitters. The bar also selects local craft beer from Udomsuk Brewing served in taps at your dryness preference. Here we chose German Weizen (THB220).
Apart from the parlor’s main decoration theme, industrial, the owner wanted to preserve the memories and history of the location. An antique printing press is placed at the entrance. Old templates make perfect wall decorations.
“This building was a printing house for about 60 years. This printing press is the original Heidelberg. It’s like the grandfather of printing presses. One time a foreigner came in just to see it and ask whether the press was still working. We had it repaired before putting it here, so yes, it still works. People are always asking what this shop is.” Waranya said
She said that more exciting menu items will be introduced soon.
FIND IT:
Hazel’s Ice Cream Parlor and Fine Drinks
Hours: 5pm – 11pm
171 Chakkapatipong Road.
Tel. 095-918-9898
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