National Liquorice Day (US) A Uniquely Bold, Homemade Ice Cream

Last Updated on April 16, 2025 by Cherie

Celebrate National Liquorice Day with our daring and delicious homemade ice cream. Learn about liquorice’s history, its surprising health benefits, and how to turn it into your next favourite frozen flavour!

Love It or Loathe It – Let’s Talk Liquorice

Liquorice has long been one of those flavours that splits the crowd – a “Marmite” moment in sweet form. But for those of us who love its bold, earthy, slightly sweet complexity (hi, fellow liquorice lovers!), 12th April – National Liquorice Day – is a date to pop in your diary.

In this article, we’re churning liquorice into something deliciously creamy: a homemade liquorice ice cream that’s rich, smooth, and unapologetically full-flavoured. We’ll also explore what liquorice actually is (hint: it’s more than just a sweet shop classic), its health properties, and why it works surprisingly well in ice cream.

We’ll also give a nod to our Tiger Tail ice cream article – the Canadian favourite that swirls liquorice with orange for a retro twist.

Ready to explore this beautifully bold flavour? Let’s dig in.

If you’d like to head straight to our recipe and easy step-by-step guide, please use the following link, or read along to find out more about this curious flavour fusion.

Liquorice Allsorts – A British Classic

If you grew up in the UK, chances are you’ve had your fair share of Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts. First created (accidentally!) in the late 1800s, these colourful sweets are a mash-up of flavours, textures, and sugary fun – and they’ve become iconic in the world of British confectionery.

Interestingly, not all of them actually taste like liquorice!

This is part of what makes the Allsorts so appealing — they’re a true pick-and-mix of layered coconut rolls, fruit-flavoured fondants, jelly buttons coated in tiny nonpareils (remember the pink and blue speckled ones?), and of course, those chewy, inky-black liquorice logs.

They weren’t just a sweet — they were a game;

• Which one do you eat first?
• Who’s brave enough for the thick black one?
• Can I have the blue speckled ones?

Their playful colours and soft textures made them a firm favourite at sweet counters across the country — and still do today.

👉🏽 Fancy a nostalgic twist? Why not chop up a few Allsorts (carefully!) and use them as a topping or mix-in swirl for your homemade liquorice ice cream? Not only does it add texture and colour, but it makes each scoop feel like a little trip down memory lane.

Sweet Nostalgia – Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts

Ask any Brit about liquorice, and you’re likely to hear one name come up: Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts, with memories of Bertie, the Liquorice character shown in the TV ad’s.

These colourful, curious little confections have been around since the late 19th century, and remain a beloved part of British sweet shop culture.

They weren’t even planned!

Legend has it that a travelling salesman named Charlie Thompson tripped and spilled a tray of assorted liquorice samples in front of a client, and the accidental jumble was an instant hit. Thus, Allsorts were born!

What’s in the Mix?

Not all the sweets in Allsorts are pure liquorice, which is part of their charm:

• Liquorice Logs – Those chewy black tubes with soft fondant centres (love them or leave them!)
• Coconut Rolls – With pink or white coconut-flavoured outer layers and a soft liquorice centre
• Jelly Buttons – The blue and pink speckled ones with a slightly chewy, bobbly texture – not strictly liquorice, but oddly addictive!
• Sandwich Layers – Striped with pink, orange, or yellow fondant and liquorice layers – a texture lover’s dream
• Plain Liquorice Pieces – For the purists!

Whether you were the type to carefully eat around the liquorice or went straight for the boldest bites, Allsorts have always been about playful variety.

What Is Liquorice?

Liquorice is derived from the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant – a flowering legume native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. Its name comes from the Greek words glukos (sweet) and rhiza (root), and it’s been used for thousands of years as both a medicinal herb and a flavouring.

What Does It Taste Like?

The flavour of liquorice is deep, earthy, and slightly sweet, with hints of aniseed and fennel. Natural liquorice has a warming bitterness underneath its sweetness, which is why it balances so well with creamy bases like custard or milk.

Liquorices Nutritional Benefits

✅ Contains glycyrrhizin, which may have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties
✅ Traditionally used to soothe sore throats and aid digestion
✅ Naturally sweet – meaning less sugar needed in recipes
❗ (Note: high doses of pure liquorice root aren’t recommended for those with high blood pressure – but in small quantities, it’s perfectly safe to enjoy)

Why Liquorice in Ice Cream?

You might be thinking: liquorice… in ice cream, Why? As a liquorice lover, I say – why not, but there’s good reason to give this unique flavour combination a go.

Here’s why it works:

• It’s bold, aromatic depth cuts through the richness of the cream.
• It pairs beautifully with vanilla, orange, treacle, and even dark chocolate.
• It has a nostalgic twist – a familiar flavour in an unfamiliar (but fun) format.
• For liquorice lovers, it’s a revelation. For sceptics? It’s surprisingly smooth and moreish.

👉🏽 Looking for something even bolder? Check out our article – Tiger Tail Ice Cream – A Sweet And Bold Canadian Classic – which celebrates Liquorice and Orange, a wonderful combination of flavours!

Have we kinda, semi-convinced you to give it a try?

Homemade Liquorice Ice Cream Recipe

(Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus steeping & chilling) | Churn Time: 25 minutes | Freeze Time: 4+ hours)

Here’s our recipe and step-by-step guide so you can recreate this curious yet delicious ice cream.

This rich, custard-based liquorice ice cream is a sophisticated twist on a classic treat – and perfect for celebrating National Liquorice Day.

Ingredients:

For the base:

• 300ml double cream
• 300ml whole milk
• 100g caster sugar
• 4 large egg yolks
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

For the flavour:

• 100g soft black liquorice sweets
• or 3 tbsp black liquorice syrup (e.g. Panda or Lakrids – see below)
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp black treacle (adds depth)
• A few drops of black food colouring (optional – for a dramatic effect)

Method:

1. Make the Liquorice Syrup (if using sweets)

• Chop liquorice into small pieces and place in a small saucepan with 1 tbsp water and black treacle.
• Heat gently, stirring until fully melted into a thick syrup. Strain if needed. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Make the Ice Cream Base

• In a medium pan, heat the milk and cream over medium heat until steaming.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy.
• Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.

3. Thicken the Custard

• Return the mix to the pan and stir constantly over low heat until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Do not let it boil.

4. Add the Flavour

• Stir in your prepared liquorice syrup or pre-made syrup.
• Add food colouring if using.
• Let it cool, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).

5. Churn & Freeze

• Churn in your ice cream maker until thick and creamy.
• Transfer to a lidded container and freeze for 4+ hours before serving.

Nutritional Information (Per 100g Serving):

• Calories: ~210 | Fat: 14g | Carbs: 20g | Sugar: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fibre: 0g | Salt: 0.3g
  May vary slightly depending on ingredients used

👉🏽 Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe;

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.

👉🏽 Need equipment help? See our article – What Equipment Do You Need to Make Homemade Ice Cream?

Topping Ideas & Pairings

Liquorice is already a natural show-stealer, but if you fancy elevating your scoops, here’s a few suggestions;

Tiger Tail-Inspired:

• Add orange zest or swirl in orange marmalade for that nostalgic Canadian combo.

Decadent Pairings:

• Dark chocolate chips or ripple
• Treacle or molasses drizzle
• Sea salt caramel sauce

Elegant Garnishes:

• Crystallised fennel seeds
• Aniseed crunch
• Black sesame brittle

What Is Black Liquorice Syrup?

Black liquorice syrup is a rich, thick liquid made by boiling down liquorice root extract with sugar (or a natural sweetener), often used in Scandinavian and Dutch desserts, sweets, and drinks. It’s intensely flavoured, slightly bitter-sweet, and gives baked goods and ice creams that signature bold, herbal taste.

Some commonly available options include:

• Panda Liquorice Syrup – Made by the same Finnish brand known for its soft liquorice sweets. Natural and widely available in health food shops or online.
• Lakrids by Bülow Syrup – A Danish gourmet liquorice brand. Their syrup is stronger and more refined — perfect for artisan-style baking or desserts.
• Homemade Version – You can also simmer chopped liquorice root or soft liquorice sweets with water and sugar to create a DIY version (but it takes time and patience!).

3 tablespoons is usually enough to flavour a standard waffle or ice cream base, but it’s always worth tasting as you go — liquorice can go from subtle to punchy fast!

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How to Make Homemade Liquorice Syrup

If you can’t get your hands on ready-made syrup (like Panda or Lakrids by Bülow), or simply love the idea of making your own from scratch, this homemade liquorice syrup is a brilliant pantry addition. It’s bold, earthy, slightly sweet, and perfect for adding a dramatic twist to your waffle batters, ice cream bases, and even hot chocolate!

Ingredients:

• 100g soft black liquorice sweets (ideally ones made with real liquorice root – Panda is great)
• 200ml water
• 100g caster sugar
• Optional: a pinch of salt or a drop of anise extract for extra depth

Method:

1. Chop the liquorice: Slice your liquorice sweets into smaller pieces to help them dissolve faster.
2. Simmer: In a small saucepan, combine the liquorice, water, and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring regularly.
3. Reduce: Lower the heat and let it simmer for around 15–20 minutes, or until the liquorice has melted and the syrup has thickened slightly.
4. Strain: Pour the syrup through a fine sieve to remove any unmelted bits or foam.
5. Cool & Store: Let it cool, then pour into a sterilised jar or bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

👉🏽 Use in: waffle batter, drizzled over vanilla ice cream, or stirred into warm milk for a liquorice latte moment!

Quick Tip:
The strength of your syrup will vary based on the liquorice sweets you use. Start with a little in your recipes, and adjust to taste — a little goes a long way!

Dairy-Free or Vegan?

Yes, you can make a plant-based liquorice ice cream! Simply swap double cream and milk for coconut cream and almond or oat milk, and use vegan liquorice syrup in place of traditional sweets. It churns beautifully and still delivers on flavour.

Liquorice Waffles – A Dramatic Visual Twist!

Using an ingredient such as Liquorice gives a perfect opportunity to play on, not only the colour, but also the distinct flavour profile. too.

Yes, we’re talking about inky-black, anise-scented waffles that are as striking on the plate as they are on the palate. Imagine scooping your creamy liquorice ice cream onto a warm, soft liquorice waffle or sandwiching it between two mini waffle discs for a gothic-inspired ice cream sandwich.

Flavour Suggestions:

• Add liquorice syrup or melted black liquorice sweets to your waffle batter
• Balance the boldness with a little vanilla extract or orange zest (hello, Tiger Tail vibes!)
• Use a drop of black food colouring to deepen that dramatic effect
• Finish with a dusting of icing sugar for the ultimate monochrome moment

These liquorice waffles are deliciously different and perfect for themed desserts, parties, or just for adding a theatrical flair to your ice cream creations. Because let’s be honest – when did a waffle ever look this cool?

👉🏽 Want to learn how to make your own waffles or waffle cones from scratch?

Head over to our full guide: Mastering the Art of Making Homemade Ice Cream Cones

The Final Scoop

Liquorice ice cream isn’t just for liquorice fans, it’s a bold, unexpected flavour that feels nostalgic, indulgent, and just a little bit mysterious and may well surprise those who aren’t generally a fan.

Whether you’re celebrating National Liquorice Day or just love a twist on tradition, this creamy scoop might just win you over.

👉🏽 Are you team liquorice or not quite converted yet? Let us know in the comments – or tag us on social with your frozen creations!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our article – National Liquorice Day (US) A Uniquely Bold, Homemade Ice Cream – and that we’ve inspired you to try this unique, but delicious ice cream flavour. As always, drop us a comment if you have questions – we’re happy to help.

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