Taste Test: The Weirdest (and Best) Homemade Ice Cream Flavours for Your Next Shindig

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Who doesn't love a good TikTok trend? When we saw the Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker making waves online (114 million TikTok views and counting), we wanted to get in on the fun. The new deluxe version has landed on New Zealand's shores and it may be coming into winter but it's always ice cream time for us.

Bigger than the original, the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe can help you master a range of frozen treat options including Italian ice, slushies and frozen yogurt. But, in our hearts, we are ice cream lovers. When you're ready to venture beyond classic vanilla, try one of these wild flavour combos.

Strawberry and Balsamic

Admit it: strawberry ice cream is a bit boring (sorry mum). We want our tastebuds to be dazzled. Here, you can mix the natural sweetness of strawberries with tart balsamic vinegar for a full-flavoured treat. Hot tip: add some basil if you're feeling extra fancy.

Ingredients

• 400 grams of fresh ripe strawberries
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 60ml balsamic vinegar
• 500ml thickened heavy cream (swap for unsweetened coconut cream to make it vegan)

Method

Wash, hull and quarter the strawberries.
Add the strawberries, balsamic vinegar and sugar in a large bowl and leave to macerate for about 15 minutes.
Add the cream and mash with a fork until well combined. The sugar draws out the sweet juices from the strawberries, so they will be mushy (but delicious).
Pour the creamy mixture into an empty CREAMi Deluxe Pint to the max fill line. Put on the lid and freeze for 24 hours.
When it's good and frozen, remove it from the freezer. With the Ninja device, you can select how full the container is and what you want it to make (in this case, ice cream) and process it.
When it's done to your preferred consistency, you can add anything else — maybe some nuts or biscuits for texture, frozen strawberries for extra sweetness, or basil for extra flavour — then grab a spoon and get stuck in.

Tasting Note

The sweetness of the strawberry ice cream is offset by the sharp and tangy undertones of the balsamic flavour. The nostalgic feeling we get when enjoying a pink ice cream is levelled up and in our opinion, definitely worth a try.

Matcha and White Chocolate Chips

Mornings before matcha lattes were bland, colourless and just not as fun. We want to bring that same energy to our 3pm afternoon snacks (and midnight cravings).

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cream cheese (or vegan cream cheese)
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• Two tablespoons matcha
• 500ml thickened heavy cream (or unsweetened coconut cream)
• 1/3 cup white chocolate chips

Method

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, microwave the cream cheese until soft (about 10 seconds). Add the sugar and matcha powder and mix until it has a frosting consistency.
Pour the mixture into an empty CREAMi Deluxe Pint to the scoopable max fill line, add the lid and freeze for 24 hours.
When it's good and frozen, remove it from the freezer, connect it to the Ninja and select Ice Cream.
When it's finished processing, add your white chocolate chips and anything else you might like — chopped nuts would be nice — and enjoy.

Tasting Note

The earthy goodness of this creamy delight is well balanced with the subtle sweet addition of white chocolate chips. Matcha might not be for everyone but for the loyal lovers or those game enough to eat green ice cream, this will not disappoint.

Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Pepper

These ingredients may only be considered 'seasonings' but, without them, meals just aren't as tasty. So, let's make them the hero for once and create the weirdest (and tastiest) ice cream you've ever tried.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cream cheese (or vegan cream cheese)
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 500ml thickened heavy cream (or unsweetened coconut cream)

Method

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, microwave the cream cheese until soft (about 10 seconds). Add the sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper and mix until well combined.
Pour the mixture into an empty CREAMi Deluxe Pint to the scoopable max fill line, add the lid and freeze for 24 hours.
When it's good and frozen, remove it from the freezer, connect it to the Ninja and select ICE CREAM.
When it's finished processing, serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Tasting Note

Looks like vanilla, but the flavour is more like rich cheesecake. The olive oil gives a lovely mouthfeel offset by the sharp black pepper and sea salt. Basic, but oh so delicious. The cacio e pepe of ice creams. Worth the effort.

Get creative with your frozen snacks and drinks with the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker, now available in New Zealand. Find out more on the website.