5. Irish Moss
Irish Moss is a classic “Island juice” found at most any Jamaican takeaway. Marketed as a libido booster and a “man’s drink,” it’s made with the titular algae (also known as carageen, or sea moss), condensed milk (or a milk substitute), along with honey, acacia gum, sugar, linseed and nutmeg. And also sometimes with something called isinglass, pure gelatin prepared from the air bladders of fish. Nonetheless, it’s about the most delicious refreshing thing you can drink after a spicy Jamaican meal, so it’s only natural that it would be turned into a suitably tasty ice cream by purveyors of yardie deserts. Find it at Taste the Tropics, and The Ice Cream Factory in Mount Vernon, NY.
Pictured: Taste The Tropics (1839 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn; 718-856-0821)