Rita’s Italian Ice – Ice. Custard. HAPPINESS!

I honestly had no idea, I mean *no idea* what Rita’s Italian Ice was.  I googled it and what I read intrigued me on what the product was about.  Last week, during the soft opening – I go to try what Italian Ice was.

(Left to Right)

Blendini, Misto Shake, Gelati and Blueberry Ice

I met Ted, the operations manager of Rita’s Italian Ice – Philippines and Jamie – Rita’s Italian Ice manager for franchise.  I am one who likes to ask questions – so, yes – I berated them both – especially Ted – and he was impressive!  He had an answer for every question that I threw at him.  He knew his product well.  Thank you Ted and Jamie for indulging me!  Haha.. So, what is Italian Ice?  Italian is a frozen dessert made with fruit juices and flavorings.  Imagine a snowcone – but instead of putting concentrates on shaved ice, – the ice and concentrate is mixed together via the same process of ice cream, sans the *cream*.  It comes out smoother and with more body and flavor.

This is a Blueberry Ice

I got my taste of Rita’s Italian Ice and it was so very refreshing.  It was perfect, especially on a hot day, it wasn’t very sweet that you’d want to wash it down with water.  It wasn’t as heavy as ice cream too!  It was just right, perfect actually – cold and refreshing.  Something to cool you down.  

They have products for most everyone, if you’re one who likes drinks (like me)- there’s the Misto Shake, Blendini and Milk Shakes.  I personally liked the Misto Shake – it’s Italian Ice mixed with Liquid Custard.  I liked it because of its smoothness – imagine a slush with more body, it’s more dense than a milkshake – the consistency was perfect for me as I didn’t need to use much effort to sip the drink.  I told Ted that I wanted to try a Misto shake and this is what he made for me – a Banana Split Misto Shake – it was sooo good!!  What’s nice was that it didn’t melt as fast as I expected it to!  I walked all the way to my car with the Misto Shake in hand and the consistency was still the same.  I didn’t need to shake it or mix it using the straw since the ice and the custard did not seprate.  Cool, right?

While Ted was in training (in the US) – he made his own Blendini.  He created one using Mango Ice, Wet Walnuts and Vanilla Custard – the result was – Ted’s Blendini!  The home office loved it so much that they decided to name it after Ted!  Good job Ted, for impressing the home office!  And here is Ted below, with his signature Ted’s Blendini!  You should try this, it’s not your ordinary – Philippine Mango taste (sweet) – it’s the American mango taste – but I swear, it’s really good and very refreshing!

All the ingredients that Rita’s Italian Ice Philippines use is imported from the US.  I asked this because my first glimpse of Rita’s was on IG and it showed an Oreo Sandwich.  I was curious to know and see the Oreo sandwich.  And this is what it looks like – look how huge it is!

EYE ON THE PRIZE!

Look at Kailee looking at the Oreo Sandwich.. Hahaha!!

I know for fact that US Oreos and those sold in Asia are different.  US Oreos are sweeter, while Asian Oreos are a bit more bitter – and I personally prefer the former.  These Oreo cookies have a special size and they’re exclusively made just for Rita’s Italian Ice.  The Oreo Custard Sandwiches can be partnered with whichever custard you want, as long as it’s available that day.  You may add toppings such as candy sprinkles or most any topping that you fancy (that they have) Below is my own Gelati request – Cookie Dough Ice with Vanilla Custard.  I have to be honest, Cookie Dough Ice?  Really?  I was wondering what it would taste like – and BOOM – it tasted exactly like a cookie dough without the heavy-ness and it was literally cookie dough ice!  The ice didn’t ruin the cookie dough – it was really good in fact!  Light, refreshing and with a full flavor I was bowled over.  And so I decided – why not make a Gelati out of it – and so here it is:

I brought home a Coffee Frozen Custard for my Panget and I was impressed that it didn’t melt as fast.  My Panget liked the coffee flavor, it was not as bold as a regular coffee flavored ice cream but good enough to taste the *coffee* in the custard.  Since it’s made with cream and eggs, it was quite heavy – thus he had a hard time finishing a cup.  Come the next day, when we took it out of the freezer – we were surprised to see that when we scooped it up, it was still soft and the consistency was still the same!  Commercial ice cream would have turned frozen hard!  We gathered that – it was really the ingredients and how it was made.  I’m sorry I wasn’t able to take a picture of it.  But believe me – it’s *solid*. For a refreshing treat that is out of the ordinary – try Rita’s Italian Ice and be blown away with their products!  There is definitely a product for you at Rita’s Italian Ice.  They’re open everyday and is located at the ground floor of V-Mall in Greenhills. See you there!! Rita’s Italian Ice – Philippines #RitasIcePH Twitter and Instagram @RitasIcePH

Second from the left is Jamie Synder!  Next to her is Ted Castro

Thanks guys!!

For the WIN!!  Look at how happy she was with her Rita’s Italian Ice!!