Ingredient Sourcing Guide

These recipes use widely available ingredients. Most everything can be found at a standard grocery store. Below are notes on what to look for and where to find the few items that might require a second stop.

Pantry Staples

Granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and common spices (ancho chili powder, cayenne, cinnamon, nutmeg) appear across many recipes. Stock these, and you’re halfway there for most of the book.

Dairy

Heavy cream (also labeled heavy whipping cream, 36%+ fat) and whole milk are the two dairy staples. Some Ninja Creami recipes call for cream cheese — use brick-style (like Philadelphia), not the spreadable tub kind. Egg yolks should be from large eggs.

Spirits

Each recipe is named for its spirit: amaretto, Baileys, bourbon, champagne, cognac, Grand Marnier, Irish whiskey, Kahlúa, mezcal, rum (both dark and spiced), scotch, tequila, and vodka. Mid-shelf bottles work well. You don’t need a top-shelf pour for ice cream — the nuance gets lost in the cold and the dairy. Buy the spirit you’d mix into a cocktail, not the one you’d sip neat.

Specialty Ingredients

A few recipes call for items that may not be in every store. Candied almonds, honeycomb candy, and toasted coconut flakes can be found at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or online. Freeze-dried mango or strawberries (used in some mix-ins) are typically in the snack aisle or available through Amazon. Orange blossom water, if called for, is in the international or baking aisle.

Spirits & Mixers for Cocktail Pairings

The cocktail pairings in this book use the same spirits as the ice cream recipes, plus a few additional mixers. Here’s what you’ll need:

Base Spirits

Amaretto (such as Disaronno), Aperol, Baileys Irish Cream, Blanco tequila, Blended scotch, Bourbon, Chambord, Champagne or dry sparkling wine, Cognac (VS or VSOP), Dark rum, Frangelico, Gin (London dry), Grand Marnier, Irish whiskey (such as Jameson), Kahlúa, Limoncello, Mezcal (joven), Pisco, Rye whiskey, Spiced rum, Vodka.

Mixers & Modifiers

Fresh lemons and limes, fresh oranges, simple syrup, honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water), Angostura bitters, orange bitters, ginger beer, club soda, tonic water, coconut cream, espresso or strong brewed coffee, heavy cream (for floats), and egg whites (for sours).

Budget Note

Mid-shelf spirits work well for both the ice cream and the pairings. You don’t need top-shelf bottles — the nuance of a premium pour is largely masked by cold, dairy, and sugar. Spend where it matters to you, but don’t feel obligated.