Homemade Guinness Ice Cream – A Bold Frozen Fusion

Curious about Guinness Ice Cream? This bold dessert blends deep malty richness with creamy indulgence. A must-try for adventurous ice cream lovers!

A Curious Scoop – Can Guinness Really Make Great Ice Cream?

Now I’ll be honest – Guinness has never been my drink of choice. I’ve always found its bitter, malty richness a bit much on its own. But, like with my Brussels Sprouts Ice Cream recipe (which turned out far better than expected!), I’ve learned that sometimes the most surprising ingredients make for the most delicious results when used creatively.

So that got me thinking… what if we gave Guinness the frozen treatment? Could this iconic Irish stout transform into a creamy, indulgent ice cream with a twist?

The answer, as it turns out, is yes! The sweet creaminess of the ice cream does soften that bitterness, and I quite like it actually! Guinness Ice Cream might just be your next unexpected favourite dessert!

In this article, we’ll explain what Guinness actually is, take a look at its surprising health benefits, and discuss why its rich, roasted flavour works so well in ice cream.

Then we’ll guide you through a simple recipe that proves that this beer isn’t just for the glass – it’s for the freezer too!

If you’d like to head straight to our recipe and method, please use the following link, or read along to find out more.

What Is Guinness?

Guinness is one of the most famous stouts in the world, brewed in Dublin since 1759.

Recognisable by its dark, nearly black appearance and creamy white head, it’s a deeply roasted beer made from malted barley, hops, yeast and water. The unique brewing process gives it its signature flavour: smooth, slightly bitter, and rich in malty, chocolatey notes with a touch of coffee on the finish.

While traditionally sipped in a pint glass, Guinness has also found its way into everything from stews to cakes – and now, ice cream.

Surprising Health Benefits of Guinness

Yes, you read that right – Guinness can be good for you, incredibly good actually. (when enjoyed in moderation).

• Rich in Iron – Guinness contains small amounts of iron, a mineral essential for energy production and transporting oxygen in the blood.
• Full of Antioxidants – Like red wine, Guinness contains antioxidants that help protect against cell damage.
• Low in Calories (relatively!) – A pint of Guinness actually contains fewer calories than many lagers.
• Heart-Friendly Compounds – Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in stout beers like Guinness can help reduce the risk of blood clots.

Of course, once we churn it into ice cream, we’re not claiming it’s health food, lol – but it’s a small scoop of indulgence with a little character-building on the side.

The Flavour Profile – Why It Works in Ice Cream

When Guinness is reduced and folded into an ice cream base, its bold bitterness softens, giving way to deeper notes of toffee, coffee, dark chocolate, and roasted barley.

The result? A very grown-up ice cream with an almost caramel undertone and a malty richness that’s balanced beautifully by cream and sugar. It’s smooth, complex, and utterly irresistible to those who enjoy their desserts with depth.

Ready to give it a go?

Guinness Ice Cream Recipe

(Prep Time: 20 minutes, Chilling & Freezing Time: 6–8 hours)

Ingredients

• 330ml can of Guinness (original or draught)
• 300ml double cream
• 300ml whole milk
• 100g caster sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Method

1. Reduce the Guinness
   Pour the Guinness into a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it reduce by about half (you want approx. 150ml). This concentrates the flavour without too much alcohol. Let cool slightly.
2. Make the custard base
   In a separate saucepan, heat the cream and milk until just steaming (don’t boil).
   In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy.
3. Temper the eggs
   Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly. Return to the pan and heat gently over low heat, stirring until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Add flavour
   Remove from heat. Stir in the reduced Guinness, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Strain through a fine sieve if needed, then chill the mixture in the fridge for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better).
5. Churn & Freeze
   Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours before scooping.

👉🏽 Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make all of these recipes;

Simply pour your ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How to Make Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.

Nutritional Information (Per Scoop – Approximate)

Servings: Makes approx. 6 scoops

• Calories: 235 kcal | Fat: 16g | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sugars: 16g | Protein: 3g | Alcohol: <0>

Pairings for Your Homemade Guinness Ice Cream

Looking to serve this unique flavour in a way that really makes it shine? Here are some bold and brilliant pairings:

• Dark Chocolate Brownies – The rich maltiness of the ice cream plays perfectly with a gooey brownie.
• Espresso Shot – Turn it into an affogato for an after-dinner treat with a kick.
• Salted Caramel Drizzle – For a sweet-salty combo that enhances Guinness’s deeper notes.
• Roasted Strawberries – The slight acidity balances the richness beautifully.
• Irish Whiskey – A splash over the top or served on the side… because why not go full Irish?

Adapting Guinness Ice Cream for Alternative Diets

Just because this ice cream starts with stout and custard doesn’t mean it can’t be tweaked to suit different dietary needs.

Here are a few simple swaps:

Vegan or Dairy-Free

✔ Swap out the double cream and whole milk for full-fat coconut milk or oat cream.
✔ Replace egg yolks with a cornflour (cornstarch) slurry (1 tbsp cornflour + 2 tbsp plant-based milk per yolk).
✔ Make sure your Guinness is vegan—most modern variants are, but double-check the label.

Gluten-Free

✔ Guinness traditionally contains barley and may not be suitable for coeliacs. Swap for a gluten-free stout (there are several great options available now).
✔ All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so no other changes needed!

💡 Top Tip: The reduced stout is where the flavour’s at, so whichever alternative you choose, just make sure it’s a rich, malty brew that can hold its own in the ice cream!

The Final Scoop

So there you have it – Homemade Guinness Ice Cream, a bold but curiously delicious frozen treat that proves you don’t have to love stout to enjoy it in dessert form. It’s rich, creamy, and just adventurous enough to impress your guests (or yourself!).

Whether you’re a Guinness devotee or just ice cream-obsessed like me, this is one flavour worth giving a go.

👉🏽 If you loved the sound of this Guinness Ice Cream, don’t miss our Shamrock Shake Ice Cream recipe – the ultimate minty green treat inspired by St. Patrick’s Day. Why not try both and have yourself an Irish ice cream celebration – no matter the time of year?

👉🏽 Would you try Guinness Ice Cream? Or have you already?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to know if you’re raising a spoon to this bold new flavour or sticking with the classics!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Homemade Guinness Ice Cream – A Bold And Brilliant Frozen Fusion – and that we have inspired you to give this bold, yet curious recipe a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.

Stay connected for more homemade ice cream inspiration! Share your homemade ice cream masterpieces with us on social media, and connect with a community of ice cream enthusiasts. Join us for mouthwatering recipes, expert tips, and exclusive updates. Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and X by clicking on any of the social media icons below.

 Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our website and allows us to continue creating content. Thank you for your support!