Fortnum & Mason has developed a limited-edition ice cream flavour in its signature shade of turquoise, inspired by minty Blackpool rock. Olivia Palamountain reports
Fortnum & Mason is launching a limited-edition “Eau de Nil” ice cream flavour this summer, debuting in the store’s award-winning Parlour on International Ice Cream Day, July 21 2024.
Developed by executive pastry chef Roger Pizey, the new flavour is inspired by the minty taste of classic Blackpool rock in a bid to preserve the dying art of making this retro confectionery.
Instead of a traditional chocolate flake, the ice cream will feature a stick of rock in Fortnum’s, complete with “Fortnum’s Rock” running through its core.
The ice cream’s distinctive colour, known as 1707 Eau de Nil, is a particular shade of turquoise that has been synonymous with the Fortnum & Mason brand since its inception.
Inspired by Indian flowers and fabrics, the colour was recreated by 18th-century designers and has become an integral part of the store’s palette.
This initiative comes at a crucial time for Blackpool’s rock-making industry. In May, MP for Blackpool South, Chris Webb, appealed to the government to grant protected status to Blackpool rock (similar to that of Stilton cheese), due to a shortage of skilled workers and increased imports from China.
To promote the new flavour, Fortnum & Mason will position bespoke ice cream bicycle carts at their Piccadilly, Royal Exchange and King’s Cross St. Pancras locations, offering free samples to visitors throughout the summer.
The introduction of the Eau de Nil ice cream builds on Fortnum & Mason’s ice cream legacy, which began in the early 1950s when they introduced the Knickerbocker Glory to the UK to celebrate the end of World War II.
Visitors to the Parlour, a retro ice-cream destination on the store’s first floor, can enjoy the new flavour alongside classic options.
The venue, decorated with marble tables, vintage chairs, and whimsical illustrations, allows guests to create their own coupes, sundaes, and floats with an array of colourful toppings.