There is no summer without ice cream, but there are sections of downtown Pest without ice-cream parlors. Naturally, we know of two or three places scattered around the city center, but in the urban core of District VII we usually have to walk a few blocks to enjoy a cold treat. Along bustling Kazinczy Street, for example, there was no ice-cream parlor until recently, when the guys behind Pharma – one of Budapest’s most inventive bars – decided to offer not only cocktails, but also ice cream in the summer season... with alcoholic flavors available!
No one steps out of the city’s smallest cocktail bar with a gloomy look on their face, since the professional mixologists of Pharma always present top-notch service and inventively lavish drinks that put a smile on the face of everyone who steps in. We tasted rum-infused goodness with coconut here, and they make some delicious vegetable cocktails, as well.
Just when we thought they could have no fresh ideas, Pharma naturally came up with something new.
The retail space next to Pharma is now transformed into an ice-cream parlor for the summer, where they offer classic takeaway ice-cream cones. The ice cream comes from a manufactory in Encs – an establishment that was eager to team up with Pharma to try using new, “mystical” ingredients. After all, in addition to the classic flavors of vanilla, chocolate, and punch, or new-wave flavors – such as Pop Rocks and Oreos – they make alcoholic ice cream, as well. After lengthy experimenting and several liters of hard liquor, cocktail ice cream with the perfect texture and flavor was born.
Currently, we can choose from three cocktail ice creams in
Pharma: Quincy (Szicsek quince pálinka), Russian Flower (Russian Standard vodka, beetroot, passion fruit), and Secret Garden (Hendrick’s gin, celery), and soon we will be able to taste the icy version of Unicum Plum, as well. One scoop of non-alcoholic ice cream costs 250 forints, while the alcoholic version costs 350 forints. Do not expect to get drunk from these creamy confections, but they definitely provide a refreshing feeling. Russian Flower might be the fanciest, most cocktail-like version, while Quincy gives off a strong aroma of pálinka (okay, this might cause some tingling in your mouth). Luckily, the ice-cream parlor is open until midnight, so we can throw in a bit of liquor-licking between our regular drinks along Kazinczy Street.In addition, they also offer homemade ice tea (550 HUF), lemonade (550 HUF), and iced coffee (450 HUF). On a warm day, definitely drop by Pharma Ice Cream and get a bit buzzed on their cold confections!
