Elegant, refreshing, and beautifully balanced, this lemon and lavender soft ice dessert is a refined example of modern fine-dining. Moreover, it is also made achievable at home. Created using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, the soft ice delivers a luxuriously smooth texture. This texture holds its shape longer. Therefore, it is ideal for plated desserts.
Culinary lavender has long been used in desserts for its delicate floral aroma, and should always be used sparingly. This is advised by BBC Good Food.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below to recreate this restaurant-style dessert for dinner parties or special occasions. You can also impress with minimal fuss.
Lemon & Lavender Soft Ice with Blueberry-Basil Compote and Almond Tuile
This elegant fine-dining soft ice dessert combines silky lemon-lavender soft ice with a vibrant blueberry-basil compote and crisp almond tuiles for a refined, restaurant-style finish. Made using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, the dessert offers exceptional smoothness and stability, perfect for plated presentation. Balanced with citrus, floral notes, and fresh herbs, it’s an impressive yet achievable dessert ideal for dinner parties and special occasions. Premium ingredients supplied by Nicol Retailer ensure professional results at home.
Course Dessert, Fine Dining Dessert
Cuisine Contemporary British, french, Modern European
Prepare the Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Strain and stir back into the remaining mix.
Strain and stir back into the remaining mix.
Add honey if using.
Chill thoroughly, then churn in an ice-cream or soft-ice machine until smooth, light, and soft-serve in texture.
Transfer to a piping bag and keep frozen until plating.
Make the Blueberry–Basil Compote
Place blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
Simmer gently for 6–8 minutes until the fruit softens and releases juices.
Remove from heat, stir in basil, and allow to cool completely.
Bake the Almond Tuiles
Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
Mix flour, sugar, ground almonds, salt, and melted butter to form a smooth batter.
Spoon small rounds onto a lined baking tray and spread thin.
Sprinkle with flaked almonds
Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden.
Shape while warm over a rolling pin if desired. Cool until crisp.
Plate the Dessert (Fine-Dining Style)
Spoon a small pool of blueberry–basil compote onto each chilled plate.
Pipe or quenelle the lemon-lavender soft ice alongside.
Add an almond tuile for height and crunch.
Garnish with lemon zest, basil, or edible flowers.
Notes
For best results, prepare the Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix according to the instructions and chill thoroughly before churning to achieve a smooth, stable soft-serve texture. Gently infusing the lemon zest and culinary lavender enhances the flavour while keeping the dessert balanced and refined.For a gluten-free version, simply replace the plain flour in the almond tuiles with a gluten-free flour blend or rice flour, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. Chilling serving plates before plating will help the soft ice maintain its shape longer, making this dessert ideal for fine-dining presentation at home or in professional kitchens.
This dessert is made using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, available from Nicol Retailer, a trusted supplier of professional-quality ingredients for home cooks and caterers — a high-quality base that delivers exceptional texture and flavour, perfect for elevated desserts like this: https://nicolretailer.com/product/arla-slower-melt-soft-ice-mix-2ltr/
Serving Suggestions
Serve this lemon and lavender soft ice dessert immediately on chilled plates to preserve its smooth, creamy texture and refined presentation. It pairs beautifully with light, citrus-led accompaniments such as fresh berries, shortbread crumbs, or a drizzle of honey for added sweetness. For a fine-dining finish, add crisp almond tuiles or edible flowers to create height and contrast on the plate. This dessert works perfectly as a restaurant-style finale, a sophisticated dinner-party dessert, or an elegant option for special occasions.
Few desserts capture the joy of summer — or any season — quite like the Vanilla-Berry Ice Cream Float “Twist”. This irresistible recipe combines creamy vanilla soft-serve, fizzy homemade berry soda, and fresh British berries. It creates a dessert drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Crafted using the premium Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix 2 L, it delivers that signature soft-serve texture and a slow-melt finish. This holds perfectly in warm weather. And because its flavour is timeless, you can enjoy this creamy, fizzy indulgence all year round. It fits from sunny garden parties to cosy winter dinners.
A Dessert for All Seasons
This isn’t just a summer dessert — it’s an all-year-round indulgence. In spring and summer, the fizzy berry soda keeps things light and refreshing. In autumn and winter, serve it with warm berry compote. Or you can drizzle it with hot chocolate sauce for a comforting twist.
The combination of creamy vanilla soft-serve, sparkling soda, and fresh fruit makes this dessert timeless, versatile, and always crowd-pleasing. Thanks to Arla’s Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, it also stays picture-perfect longer — ideal for entertaining, catering, or home enjoyment.
Recipe
This dessert is easy to prepare, fun to serve, and endlessly adaptable — the perfect addition to your Nicol Retailer Limited recipe collection:
Beat the heat with this Vanilla-Berry Ice Cream Float “Twist” — a creamy, fizzy, and fruity dessert made using Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix 2 L. This irresistible treat layers smooth vanilla soft-serve with homemade sparkling berry soda and fresh summer berries for a colourful, café-style finish that’s perfect for BBQs, garden parties, or weekend indulgence.The Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix gives you a luxuriously creamy texture that holds its shape longer — ideal for floats and sundaes served in warm weather. Paired with a fizzy blend of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, this recipe delivers a refreshing burst of flavour in every sip and spoonful.”.
Fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries (about 1 cup total)
4 mint sprigs for garnish
4 tall dessert glasses
Paper straws
Instructions
Make the Sparkling Berry Soda
Add strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a small saucepan.
Simmer on low-medium heat for 5–7 minutes until the berries release their juices and soften.
Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract as much syrup as possible.
Allow the syrup to cool completely, then mix with chilled sparkling water just before serving.
Optional: Adjust sweetness with a little more syrup or sugar to taste.
Prepare the Ice Cream
Pour 600 ml of Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix into your soft-serve machine and churn until thick and creamy.
No machine? Freeze the mix in a shallow container for 1–1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes until it reaches soft-serve texture.
Assemble the Floats
Add a few fresh berries to the bottom of each glass.
Pour in about 100 ml of the homemade sparkling berry soda.
Add one large swirl (or scoop) of soft ice cream.
Top with more berries and a mint sprig.
Add a straw and serve immediately — watch the fizz bubble up beautifully!
Notes
Recipe Notes – Vanilla-Berry Ice Cream Float TwistUse quality ice cream mix: The Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix 2 L creates a rich, creamy texture that holds its shape longer — perfect for floats, sundaes, or summer dessert drinks.Homemade berry soda: Fresh berries, lemon juice, and sparkling water make a naturally flavoured soda that’s lighter and more refreshing than store-bought versions.Best served fresh: Assemble just before serving to keep the fizz lively and the soft-serve texture silky.Chill everything: Keep the glasses, soda, and serving spoons cold to prevent premature melting.Customise flavours: Swap berries for mango, peach, or cherry for different seasonal twists.Make it vegan: Use a dairy-free soft-serve alternative and ensure your sugar and soda are vegan-friendly.Make ahead: The berry syrup can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge.Presentation tip: Garnish with fresh mint, edible flowers, or a drizzle of berry coulis for a professional café-style finish.
he Vanilla-Berry Ice Cream Float “Twist” is wonderfully versatile — a dessert drink that’s as fitting at a summer BBQ as it is after a festive roast dinner. With its mix of creamy vanilla soft-serve and fruity fizz, it complements a wide variety of flavours, making it an easy centrepiece for any menu or celebration. Below are some delicious ways to serve and pair this dessert for maximum impact.
Sweet Treat Pairings
Classic Shortbread Biscuits – Crisp, buttery, and lightly sweet, shortbread is the perfect companion for a creamy dessert. Its crumbly texture contrasts beautifully with the smoothness of the ice cream float.
Mini Meringues or Pavlova Pieces – Add crunch and sweetness with crushed meringue. It is especially lovely when topped with extra berry syrup for a touch of decadence.
Lemon Drizzle Cake – The light citrus notes of a classic British lemon drizzle pair wonderfully with the soft vanilla base. They enhance the tangy berries.
Sponge Fingers or Madeleines – Elegant and airy, these delicate cakes soak up the fizzy berry soda. They do this just enough to enhance each bite.
Vanilla or Almond Wafers – Add a nostalgic touch with wafer rolls or almond biscuits — ideal for dipping into the creamy layers.
Flavour Add-Ons & Seasonal Twists
Summer: Add crushed pistachios, toasted coconut, or a drizzle of mango syrup for a tropical flair. Serve with grilled peaches or nectarines for an alfresco dessert.
Autumn: Drizzle caramel or maple syrup over the ice cream for a toffee-apple twist. -Pair with cinnamon shortbread or spiced apple crumble bites.
Winter: Replace the chilled soda with warm berry compote or mulled fruit syrup. Add grated dark chocolate or a splash of Irish cream liqueur for a comforting, grown-up version.
Spring: Use fresh rhubarb syrup or add edible flowers such as violets or pansies for a floral touch.
How to Serve for Impact
For Home Entertaining: Use tall clear glasses or mason jars to show off the colourful layers. Add a reusable straw and serve on small dessert plates with biscuits on the side.
For Parties or Catering: Prepare the berry syrup and soda in advance, and churn the ice cream just before serving. Offer toppings such as chocolate flakes, chopped nuts, or fruit purees so guests can customise their floats.
Expert Tip from Nicol Retailer Limited:
Because Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix holds its texture longer than standard soft ice, you can serve this dessert confidently at buffets, outdoor events, or high-volume service — no more melting mess before your guests dig in!
