I had a lot of vivid memories growing up, spending lazy days at home, far far from the clutches of school – watching Dink The Little Dinosaur, flying kites with my dad, playing “tumbahang lata” with the neighbors’ kids, starting an aquarium more than once, all of which ended in massive extinction, and a particularly graphic scene of a little calamansi fruit, literally frying with the juice boiling on the concrete, under the scorching heat of the sun. Yes, summers are more fun in the Philippines.
My childhood summers are one of the sweetest moments of the life, particularly because I didn’t like going to school, and there was always something to do at home or outside. That was the good life. I didn’t care for anything else, except that I wanted to have fun. Going back to school takes those golden moments away. It’s also a part of life (and a fact) that growing up pushes these memories aside, making room for new priorities, interests, and even friends.
Moving on to happy thoughts…
Judging by the heat, the scorching summer has definitely arrived. When I was growing up, summer also meant that ICE CANDY season has also arrived. Ice Candy, is basically any refreshing liquid of your choice, poured into thin, flimsy plastic ‘wrappers’ specifically made for ice candy, tied up and frozen. That’s it.
How is it supposed to be eaten? You bite into and tear off a little piece of plastic from the bottom, then suck away. The heat from your hands will begin to melt the ice, and it’s a venerable treat to relish the liquid that’s slowly dancing in between liquid and solid. I can’t get any better than that.
Because I was a wee fledgling when the ice candy craze kicked in, making it involved teamwork. I would pour the liquid into the wrapper, and my Mama Eng would tie it all up and place it in the freezer. Sometimes, the neighborhood kids would help out as well. We’re tight like that. Then we would sell it for 1 peso a pop. One summer, the craze was so popular, every single household in our extension was selling ice candy! A classic ice candy flavor would have to be Milo. Fruits juices only ranked second.
This month would mark my first attempt at joining Kulinarya Club’s monthly theme activity. I received confirmation of my membership around mid-February, and I’ve been looking forward to taking crack at the March theme: ice candy (thanks to Jun of Jun-Blog and Arnold of Inuyaki for this stroke of brilliance).
I put my own spin to this oldie-but-goodie by showcasing two flavors that I’ve fallen in love with recently: lemonade and milk tea.
I’m not really a calamansi juice person, though I won’t mind if it’s liberally drizzled over a plate of palabok. There’s just something…cleaner and fresher about the smell and taste of lemons that takes me away from the humidity and unforgiving heat of the day. My mom’s lemonade ratio really hits the spot each and every time – the flavor of the tart lemons and the sweet sugar marries perfectly. I can finish a pitcher in one day.
Milk tea has been a growing trend here in the Philippines and I’ve had my fair share of it over the past few months. But I’m proud to say that among the milk teas that I’ve tasted, Zamboanga’s own Zensonita (Zen-son-night-ta) is one of the best in my book. It shares the top spot with Gong Cha. That says a lot. Zensonita is unpretentious and serves it like it is, no gimmicks, no frills. Visit their store along Nunez extension and order all three bestsellers: original, tarik and strawberry. I tried to replicate their original flavor – basic black tea with a slurry of fresh and condensed milk.
And as the song goes: “summertime, and the livin’ is easy”. Ice candy might as well be the songwriter’s muse, maybe even the perfect symbol.
Ice Candy Duo
Lemonade
- 6 cups cold water
- 3 – 4 lemons
- 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
Mix everything in a pitcher and allow to chill in the refrigerator.
Milk Tea
- 4 cups water
- 3 bag black tea
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup fresh milk
- 1/2 cup condensed milk, or more to taste
- Boil water in a pot over medium heat. Once boiled, remove from heat and add the tea bags. Allow to steep for 10 – 15 minutes or until a strong tea flavor is achieved. When done, remove tea bags. When cooled, transfer the tea to a pitcher.
- Mix the fresh and condensed milk together in a small bowl or cup. Add to the tea and mix well. Adjust the taste to your preference.
Make the ice candy:
- If you’re working alone, it’s best to have a mug/cup with you. Place the plastic tubes/wrappers inside the mug with prop it in such a way that it’s resting on the rim of the mug/cup.
- Use a small funnel to pour the liquid in, filling the wrapper a little over halfway to 3/4ths full. Take the excess plastic and tightly twist it to compress the liquid inside. Use your fingers to roll the excess plastic until it’s toothpick-thin, so it will be easier to twist.
- Twist the excess plastic around your finger, and loop it around to make a knot. Repeat the process until you have your desired number. Freeze until firm and enjoy!
Welcome to Kulinarya! Milk tea iced candy would probably have been my favourite if it was available during my childhood! I’ve recently been addicted to Chatime and I think the amount of bubble tea I’ve consumed already qualifies me to be a stockholder – so I thought of making it at home – thanks for the recipe, which I will surely use when recreating my own Pearl Milk Tea 😉
Thank you! 😀 I like Chatime, though I prefer Gong Cha more. It has been a while since I last had milk tea but there was a time that my mom and I would have it almost every day! 😀 I hope you like the recipe!
this recipe is reminiscent of summers from my not-so-distant past…
welcome! welcome!
nice flavors you have here for this month’s theme!
Welcome to Kulinarya!! Lovely post that brought so many sweet memories of summers back home. Love the flavor combos, too! Looking forward to cooking with you in future challenges!
Pingback: How to Make Ice Buko with Monggo (Coconut Ice Pops with Red Mung Beans) | Jun-Blog
Wow it’s been a while since I’ve had ice candy.
Milk tea flavored ice candy is a great idea! I’d love to try this out this summer. Thanks 🙂
I had a few stints at selling ice candy back in the days. I remember how they messed up the freezer when the bag pops. I love these flavors you’ve made. Lemonade never fails to refresh but there’s something comforting about milk tea in whatever form. Good job, Gio.
Thank you Adora!
It’s really nice if you make ice candy at home no? the ones that you can buy outside is usually artificially flavored. I would really enjoy the lemonade flavor!
Yeah, it’s actually kind of therapeutic. haha! 😀
Pahingi naman ng ice candy mo!
Nagtinda din ako ng ice candy nung bata pa ako, and tama ka, chocolate ang pinaka-mabili! Last na uwi namin sa Pinas several weeks ago, gumawa ako ng mangga. Mura kasi dahil uso ang mangga that time. Sayang, di ako nakapagdala dito ng plastic pang ice candy.
P.S. Nagtry din ako gumawa ng milk tea kasi naadik ako sa Gong Cha, pero fail hehe. Green tea kasi meron kami, mas masarap pag black tea.
haha sayang this won’t survive the trip! Green tea can be used naman for milk tea, kaso yung flavor na tumatak talaga sa akin, yung black tea. Fail din yung attempt ko with Earl Grey. hahaha I chanced upon a Kulinarya blog who bought ice candy wrappers from an online filipino store, maybe you can try there. O pwede din magpadala ka nalang. hahaha!
Milk tea is one flavor I haven’t tried…thanks for the brilliant idea, Gio! Lemonade makes a simple but truly refreshing ice candy and I love it!
You’re welcome Tina! 😀
Lemonade makes simple but truly refreshing ice candy! Milk tea is one flavor I haven’t tried…thanks for the brilliant idea Gio!
I miss making ice candy, lots of childhood memories with that one. I think I would love that milk tea flavor! 🙂
I think you would! 😀 Ice candy does bring back better, lazier childhood summers.
Awww I remember these as a kid! Now I’m loving all these grown-up flavors made by you 🙂
Thank you! Yeah, I don’t think kids would appreciate milk tea
Wow I miss this, I hope I can buy those type of plastic bags here.
Maybe you can ask your PH based relatives to send a package or two to you. 😀
I found some of the plastic Ice Candy bags on e bay last week. Made some for easter and everyon loved them!
I’m glad they did! congrats!
OMG! Love this! Brings me back!!!
OMG! Love this! Brings me back!
Better times indeed. 😀
The milk tea is definitely a winner and wouldn’t mind making it as well. 🙂
The milk tea is definitely a winner and wouldn’t mind making it as well. Thanks for the idea. 🙂
I just wanted to have my milk tea fix! hahaha It’s most definitely a winner. 😀
Awesome recipe! I will definitely be trying the milk tea one … any ideas on where one could pick up some of those plastic tube wrappers??
-Breakfast Bachelor
Where are you from exactly? In the philippines, groceries and even small stores sell it. 😀
Unfortunately, I’m in New York, not the Philippines, but I still may stand a chance … it’s a big city!
hahaha! Good luck with that!
Wow, what a brilliant idea for the milk tea ice candies! Great job!
Thank you! 😀
“Summers are more fun in the Philippines.” I couldn’t agree more!
I’ll take one of those milk tea ice candies anytime, that’s more my type of frozen delight.
Milk tea isn’t just a craze/fad for me, so I wouldn’t mind having it anytime as well! haha!
Planning a big shindig here in NY next late April/Early May if nice weather holds. Can’t wait to have put these on the table. I’ll bet they go fast!
Wow, I hope this pushes through! Good luck with the party and the weather! 😀
This post of yours brings back a lot of my own childhood memories… 🙂
Aww that’s nice. 😀 Making this generated a lot of positive response from Pinoys here and abroad, so this must be at the center of great golden summer memories! 😀
OMG OMG I remember having these popsicles as a kid in primary school but never thought of making them at home and definitely never thought of making the milk tea flavour hehe it looks AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Daisy! 😀 I can feel your enthusiasm from over here! 😀 I hope you can make this soon!
Definitely gonna make these soon thanks for sharing ~