One of the most famous scoop shops in America is celebrating the country’s 250th birthday with three special releases in time for July 4th weekend. The Franklin Fountain, Philadelphia’s award-winning 1900’s inspired ice cream parlor and soda shop, announce a limited edition Torch of Liberty Sundae, Liberty Bell Ice Cream Bars and Fish House Punch Fizz at their location at 116 Market Street, in Confectionery Row, in historic Philadelphia. All three are available now while supplies last – and all three are great ways to cool down during the July 4th and America 250 weekend where temperatures are expected to soar.
TORCH OF LIBERTY SUNDAE
The limited Torch of Liberty Sundae is layers of Lemon-Lime Sorbet, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Mango Sorbet, Raspberry Compote, and fresh Whipped Cream, served in a green torch like cup. The Torch of Liberty is a refreshing treat, large enough to share, but light enough for one person. A full size is $17.76 and a junior size is $13 (but doesn’t come in a torch cup.) There will only be 250 full size Torch of Liberty sundaes this summer (though you can order the same combination of flavors any day, and any year).
FISH HOUSE PUNCH FIZZ
In celebration of the countries 250th anniversary, The Franklin Fountain have created the Fish House Punch Fizz – a non-alcoholic ode to our cities most celebratory libations. Black Peach Tea, Lemon, and a secret mix of spices to add depth and an aura of spiced rum, topped off with seltzer. The punch can be served still or sparkling – but we recommend sparkling.
Every bartender worth their salt in Philadelphia has their own recipe for Philadelphia Fish House Punch – a superbly boozy punch created over 250 years ago in a ‘Castle’ by the Schuylkill, by the members of the Schuylkill Fishing Company of Pennsylvania. The SFCP founded their club 1732, under the tongue in cheek name the Colony in Schuylkill (later the State in Schuylkill), and in 1747 they built themselves a club house, with gothic windows, by the river; the clubhouse was affectionately named The Castle.
Any man who was anyone at the time was either a member of the club, or a frequent guest. Ben Franklin naturally counted himself amongst their ranks, and George Washington famously got so drunk at one of their parties that he was hungover for 3 days. The club enjoyed much pomp and circumstance, and created at one point, a secret punch, that became to be known as Fish House Punch. The earliest mention of the punch was in a 1744 diary entry. The recipe is still unconfirmed today, but is commonly made with black tea, lemon, peach brandy, and rum.
LIBERTY BELL ICE CREAM BARS
For those who still remember Shane Confectionery’s short lived bean-to-bar single origin chocolate ice cream, your wish has come true. The Franklin Fountain and Shane Confectionery have resurrected the Tanzania Single Origin Chocolate Ice Cream, to create Liberty Bell Ice Cream Bars for America’s 250. Molded in replicas of an antique Liberty Bell mold, the Liberty Bell Ice Cream Bars will be made in single origin chocolate ice cream, dipped in Shane dark chocolate, and with a cherry center. Shane Confectionery responsibly sources their cacao from Uncommon Cacao, who makes sure that farmers are fairly compensated. The beans are roasted at 104 Market street, and ground into chocolate in the back of Shane.
BASTILLE DAY SPECIAL
Creme de Lafayette, named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer and politician who volunteered to join the Continental Army, will be released on Bastille Day, July 14th. A rich French style ice cream, swirled with cooked raspberries and blueberries.
To stay up to date on specials, features and holiday flavors, follow them on @franklinfountain on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT THE FRANKLIN FOUNTAIN
Owned and operated by brothers Eric Berley, The Franklin Fountain is an authentic re-creation of an American ice cream parlor and soda fountain, circa 1915. Ice cream made on-premises is scooped and served in cones, sundaes and floated upon ice cream sodas drawn from a 1904 bronze & onyx soda fountain. Hot fudge, caramel and other toppings are made using fresh, local ingredients. Soda jerks are dressed in period attire, serving customers an authentic early 1900s experience in a historic building with ornate tin ceilings, marble counters and mosaic penny tile floors.