Two Cincinnati institutions have teamed up for the ultimate sweet-and-spicy dessert collaboration.
On Friday, Jan. 24, Graeter’s, America’s oldest family-run ice cream brand, and Skyline Chili, a 75-year-old restaurant famous for serving its chili over spaghetti, unveiled a new limited-edition ice cream flavor: Skyline Spice.
The “wacky-yet-wonderful” recipe combines Graeter’s creamy French pot ice cream with crunchy oyster crackers (a staple chili companion) and Skyline’s signature spice mix, “offering the best of both worlds from these two beloved Cincinnati eateries,” according to a press release,
“Everyone who knows chili knows Skyline and, as longtime fans ourselves, we were eager to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind, must-try flavor,” Graeter’s president and CEO, Richard Graeter, said in a statement, before addressing online rumors that the collaboration was in the works.
“Last year, speculation about our unconventional and somewhat polarizing partnership started a social media frenzy,” he continued. “We spent months perfecting the recipe and are extremely happy to confirm the rumors are true — and the flavor will surprise you.”
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Dick Williams, chairman and CEO of Skyline, noted in his statement that this is the first time the eatery has done a dessert collaboration “so we knew it needed to be worth it.”
“Graeter’s Skyline Spice Ice Cream has the heart and soul of both beloved Midwest-born brands in every bite,” Williams added.
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The two Ohio companies teased that the Skyline Spice flavor is “sweet, savory and unlike anything ice cream or chili lovers have tasted before.”
Just in time for the Super Bowl, the new ice cream flavor will be available beginning Jan. 27 in 5-oz. scoops at all Skyline Chili restaurant locations across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Florida.
Fans can also sample the ice cream by the scoop or pint at all Graeter’s shops. In addition, pints will be sold at select Kroger stores throughout Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis; and Louisville, Ky., as well as online at Graeters.com for nationwide shipping starting Jan. 24.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Judging by comments on social media, ice cream — and chili — fans are excited about the unexpected Midwestern mashup.
“I’m gonna lose my mind,” one person commented on Graeter’s Jan. 24 Instagram post announcing the new flavor.
Another user wrote, “The collab we didn’t know we needed 🙌,” while yet another commented, “What’s not to like? 🍝🍨💙.”
A few others were a bit uncertain about the combination — but game to give it a try. “I don’t know about this one, but I love both of y’all so much that I’ll trust the process,” one person wrote.
