Brigham's: Coffee

Since a bunch of people tried Brigham's Coffee Ice Cream, I am just going to compile the quotes:

"It's coffee." (Yes, I have very insightful friends...)

"It's a good base for toppings."

"It's a mild, generic coffee [flavor]."

"It's great for toppings."

"It's great with hot fudge."

"It doesn't even really taste like coffee, which is a good thing because I generally don't like coffee flavored anything."

"I liked it. It wouldn't be my first pick, but I'd eat it."

"Both of these are really good." (From my mom, who tried both the Coffee and the Mocha Almond.)

By the way, after complaining that two of my stores only had limited flavors, today I stopped at a more local store and hit the motherlode. It was all I could do to not buy all of the flavors. I settled on Paul Revere's Rocky Ride. I'll report back when I try it!

Don't forget, only one more day to vote for your favorite retired Brigham's flavor for a chance to win one of ten prizes of a Sundae-in-a-Box from Brigham's!

Brigham's: Peppermint

I told you in yesterday's post that there were very limited Brigham's flavors when I went to the store, and almost the same (limited) flavors when my husband went to a different store. However, coupon in hand, my husband thought he should get me something. Since we already had two of the flavors at home, and he wanted something a little more exciting than chocolate or the other vanilla, he had Salted Caramel Crunch and Peppermint Stick to choose from.

I am not sure he knows me too well. He brought home the Peppermint Stick. While I like mint chocolate chip, the idea of Peppermint Stick does nothing for me. And every Christmas I try to be all festive and eat a candy cane. And I hate them.

The trooper that I am when it comes to ice cream, I tried it. The ice cream was pretty -- white with bright red spots mixed throughout. The was mellow and sweet and very enjoyable. What I didn't like was the end -- the aftertaste of candy canes.

But this is me. I already said I don't like candy canes. But if you like candy canes, this sure is the flavor for you. And even if you don't like candy canes, it would probably be a good date ice cream, because it leaves your breath minty fresh!

Long story short, it wasn't bad. It was good. It just would have been better had I actually liked candy canes.

And if it were out of production, it wouldn't be the one I voted to bring back. Speaking of which, did you vote to bring back a Brigham's flavor? Do it while you still can! And then head back over to Scoopalicious, let us know which flavor you chose in our comments section, fill out the Rafflecopter form, and be entered to win one of ten Sundaes-in-a-Box!

Brigham's Sundae-in-a-Box Reminders

Just a few notes for our readers!

1. There is still time to enter to win a Sundae-in-a-Box courtesy of Brigham's Ice Cream. Please head over to our post from Sunday to see how to enter! Raffle ends at the end of the day on Saturday, so don't wait!
2. Since the Sundae-in-a-Box includes a coupon for Brigham's Ice Cream, which is only available in New England, this giveaway is only open to readers in ME, NH, VT, MA, CT or RI. However, if you wish to play and you are not in one of these states, you may request that we send your prize to a friend or family member in New England. Good luck!
3. Please be sure to leave a comment AND fill out our Rafflecopter form so you are eligible to win. If you haven't done one or the other, please feel free to go back in and do so!

Thanks for playing!

Brigham's: What's your memory?

Part of Brigham's 100 year celebration is a "memory look-book" on their website.

“When consumers think of Brigham’s, they think of butterscotch sundaes and enjoying time with family,” said Lynne Bohan, spokesperson for Brigham’s Ice Cream. “We are so excited to encourage consumers to share those special moments with us during our 100th anniversary year.”

Here's my first Brigham's memory...

It may have been The Big Dig I went home with.
Or maybe not. Whatever it was, it was good, and got
me hooked. (Image courtesy of www.brighams.com)

My first experience with Brigham's was at the Scooper Bowl thirteen years ago. I lived in Boston's North End. I was just leaving the Scooper Bowl after attending with my co-interns from Houghton Mifflin, and a woman walked by with a container of Brigham's. She told me the people at the Brigham's booth had given it to her, but there was no way she was making it home without it melting -- would I like it? Government Center where the Scooper Bowl was being held was a short walk from my North End apartment, so I gladly carried the container home. I'd like to be able to tell you I remember the flavor, but I can't. I can tell you that by the time I got home, it was perfectly softened, and dinner that night was my first (and perfect) taste of Brigham's Ice Cream. 

I'm smiling and thinking of dear friends as I remember other times...eating at the Brigham's in the Financial District or eating Brigham's on the newly developed Greenway when I worked downtown. I also remember some great birthday parties over Brigham's ice cream cakes in the office where Tina and I met. (Those were some of our favorite days there, huh, Tina?!) That cookie crust was to die for. I think Tina and I may have sealed our friendship over that cake and our shared love of ice cream!

I'm kind of wordy, so my memory doesn't fit on their form, but make sure yours does so you have a chance to win an ice cream scoop from Brigham's!

While you are there, vote for the ice cream flavor you'd like Brigham's to bring back, then swing back over to our post from Saturday to leave a comment telling us which flavor you voted for and fill out our form for our rafflecopter giveaway for a Sundae-in-a-Box!

Happy 100 Years, Brigham's Ice Cream!

My assistant helps
me open my
Sundae-in-a-Box!

Scoopalicious is pleased to be part of the celebration as Brigham's Ice Cream celebrates their 100th Anniversary!

Brigham's announced that "since 1914, Brigham’s has been Boston’s favorite ice cream and a part of countless memories. Today, its rich, creamy flavor continues to be enjoyed in homes across New England more than ten decades later."

Brigham's is celebrating in their own way with an online "memory look-book" and a chance to vote for your favorite Brigham's "throwback flavor" to be announced in July and brought back into production in 2015!

Lynne Bohan, spokesperson for Brigham’s Ice Cream, explains why Brigham's is asking it's loyal customers to be the ones to choose which flavor will be revived: “Brigham’s has always loved introducing great flavors like Reverse the Curse to consumers. Now is the public’s chance to be a part of the tradition and vote which of their beloved flavors should be brought back to life.”

We at Scoopalicious are also partnering with New England's beloved ice cream company with some flavor reviews and ten Sundae-in-a-Box giveaways!

Let us know what flavor you voted for and be entered to win one of ten Sundaes-in-a-Box!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check back in this week for some of our thoughts on Brigham's flavors and some of our own Brigham's memories!

        

For more information about the 100th anniversary visit www.brighams.com.

Another Sucre Shop Giveaway

Last week I was looking in a box of stuff that still hasn't been unpacked since we moved in January. I know, I know...if I haven't used it yet, I probably don't miss it or need it. But here's the thing: opening the box was like getting a birthday present! I found two packs of Sucre Shop vintage style ice cream cups!

I remembered that the amazing and awesome Brooke of Sucre Shop had offered to send them to me back in November but I was actually at the hospital delivering my daughter when she sent them so they got packed away in the move.

We used them the other day at a dinner party and they were a hit with the kids and the adults alike -- especially the adults who had ten fewer dishes to do! Note we even used Sucre Shop's cute spoons -- my two year old had been dying to use them!

You too can use these cute ice cream cups! Enter to win the second pack of ten cups that I uncovered... a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, enjoy, and thanks for the cool prize, Brooke!

P.S. The sprinkles in this picture are the best I've ever had. Check back for a posting about those sprinkles!

The Sonic Sweetheart Shake and Giftcard Giveaway

Neither Tina or I have a SONIC near us, so we "hired" my the fab duo of my sister and her boyfriend to do the dirty work for us...Payment was a date to SONIC on the $20 gift card the folks at SONIC had sent and all they had to do was write a short review. Sister Arianna went above and beyond...Thanks, A and Troy! Thanks SONIC for the gift card. 

Read to the end for a chance to win a SONIC gift card yourself!

Who needs flowers and candy on Valentine's Day?! My boyfriend and I had a very romantic Sonic date to celebrate the holiday.

We drove down to the Sonic in Wallingford, CT for our special night. Ever since discussing the idea earlier in the day, we’d both been really looking forward to our meal. We arrived and took our time perusing the menu, before making our final selections. We wanted to get a meal (me: veggie burger (I love Sonic’s veggie burgers!) and cheesy tots; Troy: a Philly cheesesteak and Ched ‘R’ Peppers), but our real purpose was to scope out the Chocolate Cherry Sweetheart Shake for Scoopalicious! We ordered that last...and the girl taking our order told us she was so sorry, they were out. She eagerly volunteered to make us a cherry shake with chocolate syrup or another sort of chocolate chips, and I just figured we’d have our meal and (what a shame) have to come back to Sonic another time. But Troy decided to explain that it was imperative that we get that shake like the one in the poster, because we were writing a blog post about it. -- Well, that changed things! Our amazing order-taker, Sydney (already having proved her merit by offering to make us her best equivalent shake) then said she’d place the rest of our order, and see what she could do about getting her hands on some of those chocolate chips! Apparently they searched high and low, and finally located some in the back of the top shelf of the fridge. Hurray! The Sweetheart Shake adventure was back on.

The view from our car window!

Our server Lindy came to the car with our food, and we had a great conversation with her about the veggie burgers and the work our boyfriends did (I believe hers was a glazier; Troy is a union ironworker). After the delightful conversation, we hungrily tore into our food, saving the shake for last. When we’d eaten, it was time for dessert. (The cherry on top, just like the one on our shake!) We both stuck a straw into the cup and tried it at the same time. It was divine! Which is especially amazing, since I’m normally not a big chocolate or cherry fan. But, so delicious. The flavors balanced so well; neither was too overpowering. The chocolate chips were a brilliant idea, because they added just the right amount of chocolate to an otherwise cherry shake. The whipped cream was maybe the best part. All together, it was the best dessert I’d had in a long time!

We ordered a large shake. Looks yummy, huh?

We sat there for quite a while, sharing the shake and discussing its merits. Since we were sipping from one cup, I felt like we must have been channeling Archie and his ladies at the Chok’lit Shoppe:

(Or this one, which I found when I was searching, and I had to add it because it just amused me so much!)

We did have one problem with the shake, if you could call it a problem: we ended up finding that spoons did a better job than straws! The shake itself was very thick, making drinking it through a straw already very difficult (especially because we were enjoying it, and wanted MORE, QUICKER!). But also, the chocolate chips - as awesome as they were! - just kept getting stuck in the straws! It was drinkable, and I wouldn’t be upset if someone gave me one while I was driving and couldn’t use a spoon, but it was just something we noticed. I would suggest asking for a spoon when you order.

All in all, we were fans. I’d definitely order the Sonic Sweetheart Shake again.

A and T, thanks for spending your Valentine's day at SONIC and enjoying a real Archie moment! BEST dessert you'd had in a long time?! I guess it wasn't too much of a pain for you to have to go for us then...Thanks T for explaining the situation and thanks to Sydney for searching high and low and allowing this post to come to be!

I visited SONIC's site and it looks like they are done selling their Sweetheart Shake (maybe next year?!) -- in the meantime, check out their menu (ice cream or other) and enter to win a $20 gift card.

Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Maybe You (S)Hood® Get Away!

This post is way overdue, and I apologize. It's been a crazy summer.

Hood® recently surprised some lucky shoppers -- five in all -- with some weekend getaways!

(Above) On August 7, "Donna Dickinson of Portland won a trip to Mt. Washington, NH in honor of Hood’s Mt. Washington Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup." She (and her son and granddaughter) were surprised by Pawtucket Red Sox Shortstop Jose Iglesias!

(Above) Earlier in the summer, at the Charlestown, Massachusetts Foodmaster, Linda Labadini of East Boston was surprised by Red Sox Third Baseman Will Middlebrooks! Linda won a trip to Burlington, Vermont in honor of Hood's Vermont Maple Nut Flavor.

Lucky ladies! Meeting Red Sox and winning a weekend getaway just because they were "caught" buying Hood Ice Cream? Life isn't bad...

But don't worry! You too can be a winner!

Hood has graciously donated coupons for three of OUR lucky readers for a complimentary Hood product. Please see the form at the end of this post! (Thanks again, Hood!)

You can also visit their website for some cool giveaways/promotions. In fact, they have one more weekend giveaway..."Take a midnight ride with Hood® New England Creamery Ice Cream's new flavor, Colonial Chocolate Almond—enter today and you could win a “colonial” weekend in Boston for four people!" But hurry, this giveaway ends August 31!

P.S. Being a New Englander, I love all of Hood's local New England flavors...but being originally from Connecticut, I wonder why there isn't a Connecticut specific flavor? :(

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cheryl's Ice Cream Cookie Sampler Giveaway!

Recently we got to sample some yummy cookies from Cheryl's Cookies. We were so excited since the new collection is their Ice Cream Flavored Cookie Collection!

With absolutely adorable packaging, gorgeous colors, and enticing flavors, this is a collection that can't be beat. The above photo is only a sampling of their 20 different products in their Ice Cream Cookie Collection.

Our sample (and the one Cheryl's will be giving away to a lucky reader) is their Ice Cream Cookie Sampler which includes: Vanilla Malted, Chocolate Marshmallow Pecan, Strawberry Sugar, Banana Split with Walnuts, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Orange Citrus cookies. (Actually, that's what is listed on their site, but we got Cookies 'N Cream instead of the Banana Split, which was fine with Husband because...)

When I asked which his favorite of the six were (we shared each cookie over the course of two nights -- three tonight and three last night) he said the Cookies 'N Cream. He did think it was an interesting concept as well saying "If I can have a cookie flavored cookie, can I have have an ice cream flavored ice cream?" Yeah, I'll let you ruminate on that for a while. It took me a while to figure out what he was saying...

I love the texture of Cheryl's cookies and while I love their vanilla buttercream cookies the best, I was quite taken with all the samples, but most specifically the Orange Citrus (yay Creamsicles!)

Anyway, you too can win this sampler (though if you get the Banana Split flavor, we are going to need your review since I was unable to taste it! Just kidding) if you enter below by Tuesday, August 14.

In the meantime, you can take advantage of their Living Social deal, of $30 worth of cookies for $15! Sounds good to me!

And/or you could like them on Facebook for "a chance to win FREE COOKIES each and every Friday"!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats MOO Giveaway winners!

Yippee....we have three lucky winners for our MOO giveaway!

"Jonathan" (jonralton)...who loves Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

"-C-"(dodkalm83)...who loves Rum Raisin

"tylerkilledlove" (monicamezaa)...who loves Cookies and Cream

Each of these lucky winners will receive 100 Business Cards or 200 MiniCards courtesy of MOO.com. Congrats to you all, thanks for entering, and thanks MOO for the awesome giveaway!

Random.org was used to pick winners. Winners will be contacted.

Cone-a-versary and a Giveaway!

There are many stories about the invention of the ice cream cone, but we like the one that causes the 108th anniversary to be today!

From the Library of Congress Today in History: On "July 23, 1904, according to some accounts, Charles E. Menches conceived the idea of filling a pastry cone with two scoops of ice-cream and thereby invented the ice-cream cone."

As you know, I love the smell (and taste!) of Ben & Jerry's cones. To celebrate this anniversary and such a great cone, we are giving away a copy of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book as well as a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream! (Although you'll have to forgive the fact that the book does not actually share Ben & Jerry's recipe for their cones!)

Leave a comment about your favorite cone by Friday, July 27 for a chance to win! Email MUST be included with your comment (in the comment field) -- otherwise we will be unable to contact you!

Ice Cream Monsters by Erik X. Raj

A while back we got an email from Erik Raj telling us about a book he wrote for the iPad, Ice Cream Monsters. He asked if we'd like to take a peek and we agreed.

Ice Cream Monsters is a cute story for kids about embracing our differences: "Some ice cream monsters have [blank]...some ice cream monsters don't," each page reads. It then goes on to say how even though the monsters are different, they are still friends.

The pages graced with wonderful (and interactive) illustrations.

The book can be read on your own or have it read to you by Raj.


It's a short story that's fun and easy for kids to grasp. I haven't tried it yet with my own almost-two-year-old -- she might be a little young. It's recommended for the 4+ crowd. 


Check out the demo here!


It's an inexpensive purchase at the App Store, but if you leave a comment by Friday, you can be entered to win a promo code to get it for free!

Thanks for sharing, Erik!

[Scoopalicious is celebrating National Ice Cream month with a Post-A-Day throughout the month of July!]

SONIC: And the Winner is...

The entry period has closed for the SONIC gift card and fun straws giveaway. I was thinking of using random.org, but decided to go old school, put the names in a bucket and have my one year old choose the winner...So, Jenn, Julian, you can thank Violet! Congrats!

(9/5/11 Update: I didn't have Jenn's email and she didn't get back to me so I picked the next winner using random.org...and Julian was the winner! Congrats Julian!)

SONIC Sundae Shakes: Tested

The whole family took a trip to SONIC on Saturday afternoon to use our gift card that the folks at SONIC sent us. It's a great date-with-a-baby spot since all potential tantrums take place in the car, not in a restaurant surrounded by others who really don't care to hear screaming. Lucky for us, we didn't have any tantrums. 

We did have some yummy Sundae Shakes though. I had hot fudge and Husband had the strawberry. We both were happy, though Husband felt the shakes weren't particularly "sip-able" (as they are advertised) until they have melted a bit. Husband is a bit impatient. But then again, they were good, so it made sense he was impatient. It was, as appropriately named, just like a sip-able soft serve sundae. Very familiar and very refreshing and fun to drink!

We did just get word that the Sundae Shakes are there for a limited time -- so you'll have to hurry on over to try them. We also got word that the next SONIC treat to arrive on the scene will be Pumpkin Pie Shakes. Um, yes, sister Arianna (of Librarianna and Real Art Ways Archivist fame -- yeah, I am kinda proud of my sister's new profession as a librarian), this news is for you.

There's still time to enter the giveaway so you can win a SONIC gift card -- to try the Sundae Shakes, the Pumpkin Pie Shake, or anything your SONIC heart desires!

OK, now tantrum awaits, so I have to jet. More soon!

Happy last day of National Ice Cream Month!

Wow...made our final post in the final hours of the last day of National Ice Cream month. It's been an awesome month posting daily and I think we both have to admit it's a lot of work but in the end so much awesome stuff to share and we too learn lots along the way and eat way too much ice cream. 

BUT summer's not over yet and there's definitely more to come including an awesome giveaway so stay tuned!

Vote for DOVEBAR® Ice Cream Miniatures “My Mini Moments” Winner and Enter to Win Some Dove Ice Cream Treats

Dove® just recently got in touch with us about a pretty cool (um, yes, pun intended) contest they are having...it's too late for you to enter unless you are one of the entrants listed below, but that doesn't mean you still can't play -- you can both help choose the favorite for the grand prize and additionally win some coupons for some free Dove Ice Cream. 


What do we need from you? We need you to vote for the "ideal mini moment" so that one of these contestants can win the "Ultimate Mini Moment" from Dove.


The winning entry will receive either a mini-getaway to Napa Valley, mini spa escape or the ultimate mini-oasis at home. Their full entries are online but here's a quick summary before you vote -- and their locations, in case you are swayed by hometown pride!

• Lauren Levy (New York City) - Running, in the zone, with just “me, myself and I...”
• Mike Vos (Buckley, WA) - Finding secret notes from his daughter...
• Borden McGahee (Columbus, GA) - Spending a day in their private railroad car that’s currently under renovation, getting ready to travel the country behind Amtrak and relive the heyday of the railroads...
• Kim Morris (Meriden, CT) - Going to her sewing room and letting the fabric and her imagination take her away...using colors and shapes to celebrate milestones and brighten other people’s days...
• Ankur Jain (Olathe, KS) - escaping to the local nature center to appreciate and respect nature...
• Seph Anderson (Oxford, MS) - getting home at night and on the weekends to spend time with his daughter and Jack Russell Terrier...
• Lisa Roberts (Lexington, KY) - escaping to my kids playground for a half hour each day to read a book and enjoy some Dove Miniatures and enjoy some quiet time while the kids are asleep...
• Megan Capone (Dracut, MA) - escaping to a book store to roam the stacks, explore every nook and cranny, and sit down with a mocha and a stack of books and magazines to explore...
• Eric Freeman (Springfield, MS) - escaping to the neighborhood pond to fly fish before dusk...
• Beth Sheets (Las Vegas, NV) - a bubble bath, a good book, and some Dove Miniatures....

Did you vote? Here's how you can be entered to be one of ten winners of ice cream treat coupons from Dove via Scoopalicious. 

1. Vote. Let us know you voted in the comments section. Please be sure to include your email so we can get you the coupon if you win.
2. Tell others to vote. Share this link via your own blog, twitter, facebook or any of the other 300+ ways you can share using the share link below this post. Post a link to your "share" or "shares" in the comments below. Each share gets an entry.

Vote and/or share by July 13th. We'll pick winners on the 14th.


[Scoopalicious is celebrating National Ice Cream month with a Post-A-Day throughout the month of July!]