Vintage Ice Cream Parlours, Ice Cream Vans and Shatin Heights Hotel Ice Cream Soda! (5:2 Recipe)
Vintage Ice Cream Parlours, Ice Cream Vans and
Shatin Heights Hotel Ice Cream Soda!
(5:2 Recipe)
Shatin Heights Hotel 1965
I remember a naughty little girl, who in the 60’s wandered down a steep hill from where she lived, crossed a busy road, and presented herself at The Shatin Heights Hotel whereupon she was served an Ice Cream Soda by the attentive and slightly surprised staff. Whilst she was slurping and sipping on the delectable ice cream drink-cum-dessert, a member of the hotel staff was phoning her parents up to let them know where she was; her irate and anxious mother arrived, not in the best of moods, and she was hauled off home with mutterings of “wait until your father gets home”. That little girl, who was about 5 years old at the time, was of course me. I was a terror, always wandering off, playing with the local children and joining in with a bowl of rice, and indeed I spoke better Cantonese than I spoke English when I was that age – before I attended British Forces Sek Kong Primary School that is. The ice cream soda incident has stayed in my mind for years, and I can almost taste that creamy concoction now, if I close my eyes and drift off back to the 1960’s.
Shatin Heights Hotel Restaurant
I LOVED the Shatin Heights Hotel. It was a place of pure culinary excellence to a small child, where thin Melba toast and salted butter was served before the meal and ice cream sodas were on the menu, if you were good that is. The restaurant had an amazing view over Shatin valley, which in the 1960’s, was lush and green, with the backdrop of the mountains framing the flame trees and jacaranda trees; today, Shatin is a huge satellite town and unrecognisable from the days I lived near there. You could see Amah Rock quite clearly, a fascinating and naturally shaped rock with a sad tale attached to it: According to a legend, the faithful wife of a fisherman climbed the hills every day, carrying her son, to watch for the return of her husband, not knowing he had been drowned at sea. In reward for her faithfulness she was turned into a rock by the Goddess of the Sea so that her spirit could unite with that of her husband. Similar legends abound throughout the whole of China — the number of “Mong Fu Shek” rocks in the country is a great one. Many Chinese classical poems were dedicated to this kind of rock. (Wikipedia)
Amah Rock
The reason that I am waxing lyrical and being so nostalgic is all down to a request from my daughter for an ice cream soda the other day. The memories of my childhood in a very Colonial Hong Kong came flooding back, and with the memories came that day, the day I ran away from home for an hour, just to have an ice cream soda! An ice cream soda still remains one of my favourite treats too, but, they can be laden with calories. So, for a “bang up to date” low-calorie version, perfect for any fast day (for those following the 5:2 diet), I have devised and created a VERY low-calorie version, that has a remarkable 35 to 70 calories per serving, dependant on which brand of low-calorie ice cream you use.
Vintage Ice Cream Parlours, Ice Cream Vans and Shatin Heights Hotel Ice Cream Soda! (5:2 Recipe)
It is not quite the same as the Shatin Heights Hotel ice cream soda, but, it is still a sweet treat none the less, and perfect for a low-calorie dessert on a hot fast day. It’s also a perfect entry for Kavey’s August and September BSFIC ice cream challenge, which asks us all to share a nostalgic ice cream recipe or memory, both of which I have done here. As well as my ice cream adventures in Hong Kong, I also remember with great fondness a trip to the ice cream van, clutching a hot threepence or sometimes a sixpence in my hand, a treat from a grandparent. There was an agonising wait whilst the other children ordered their ice creams and then finally I was there, still undecided what to order, but the thrill of being able to choose anything you wanted was heady and very grown-up. I usually chose a “99”, with a Cadbury’s flake stuck in the creamy folds of vanilla ice cream, Mr Whippy of course.
Mr Whippy “99” Ice Cream Cone (Image: The Guardian)
The recipe, such as it is, for my Low-Calorie Ice Cream Soda, only has two ingredients, but the alchemy that happens when the ice cream is added to the soda is still magical, even today! It’s a dessert-cum-beverage that is reminiscent of ice cream parlours of the 1950’s, with their swivel chairs and soda fountains. It’s a polka-dotted bikini of a treat, with soft pastel colours and creamy flavours……it’s nostalgia in a glass and very welcome it is too. I hope you have enjoyed my ice cream adventures today, and that you may be inspired to try the recipe (but, no running away from home!), which is shared below – what ice cream memories do you have? And are they as naughty as mine. Have a great day, see you soon with more recipes and culinary chat…….Karen
1950’s Soda Fountain
Note: With thanks to my long-suffering parents who put up with my wild and adventurous ways……thankfully, due to their love and strict parental arm, I am still here today. K S B-B
Patio/Terrace Shatin Heights Hotel
Recipe:
Vintage Ice Cream Parlours, Ice Cream Vans and Shatin Heights Hotel Ice Cream Soda! (5:2 Recipe)
Ice Cream Soda (Low-Calorie)
Print recipe
| Serves | 2 |
| Prep time | 3 minutes |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Beverage, Dessert, Snack |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Serve Cold |
| Occasion | Barbecue, Birthday Party, Casual Party, Easter, Formal Party, Valentines day |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 600mls calorie-free cream soda (I used Vive Cream Soda with no artificial flavours 0 calories)
- 2 x 50g scoops low-calorie ice cream (40 to 70 calories)
Note
A low-calorie version of the classic ice cream parlour treat, an Ice Cream Soda! Use a reputable low-calorie cream soda and ice cream for a guilt-free treat with no loss of taste and flavour.
Directions
| Step 1 | Pour 300mls of low-calorie cream soda into each glass. |
| Step 2 | Add the scoop of low-calorie ice cream to the cream soda and add a straw and/or a long parfait spoon. |
| Step 3 | Enjoy a guilt-free dessert-cum-beverage! Total calories = between 40 and 70, depending on the brand of low-calorie ice cream. |
Vintage Ice Cream Parlours, Ice Cream Vans and Shatin Heights Hotel Ice Cream Soda! (5:2 Recipe)
Vintage Ice Cream Parlours, Ice Cream Vans and Shatin Heights Hotel Ice Cream Soda! (5:2 Recipe)
Links to other Hong Kong Posts:
Memories of Hong Kong and a New 5:2 Diet Recipe: Minced Beef and Mint Kheema
Memories of Hong Kong and Chinese New Year: Chinese Chicken Egg Roll Wraps Recipe
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
Vintage Ice Cream Van: Image: Polly’s Parlour
Carte Dor, Light, Vanilla Ice Cream, 4.5% Fat: 50g scoop = 70 calories
Waitrose, Cornish Dairy with Clotted Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream: 50g scoop = 49 calories
Sainsbury’s, Be Good to Yourself, Vanilla Iced Dessert: 50g scoop = 60 calories
Morrison’s, Eat Smart, Vanilla Iced Dessert, 80% Less Fat: 50g scoop = 35 calories
Asda, Good for You, Vanilla Ice Cream, Soft Scoop, Less Than 3% Fat: 50g scoop = 58 calories
Tesco, Light Choices, Soft Scoop Vanilla Iced Dessert: 50g scoop = 68 calories
Vintage Ice Cream Parlours, Ice Cream Vans and Shatin Heights Hotel Ice Cream Soda! (5:2 Recipe)
Kavey says
What a lovely story! Such a pleasure to read. What an exciting childhood you had, and how wonderful to have lived in that place in that time, and to have those memories to cherish.
Thanks for entering BSFIC. x
Karen says
Thanks so much Kavey! I love your challenge, and I am so pleased that I had an ice cream memory that fitted August and September’s challenge, and I REALLY enjoyed writing this too! Karen
Dominic says
I can just imagine you as a naughty little girl… I don’t suppose you’re much different today!… love an ice cream soda, there’s something very unique about the taste and a good vanilla is the way to go… gorgeous post and lovely photo’s x
Karen says
Thanks Dom! You know how naughty I can be, LOL! Yes, I agree, the taste is just so special and I love the way it fizzes up when you add the ice cream! 🙂
Kathryn says
What a total joy of a post to read! I’m not sure that I’ve ever had an ice cream soda – isn’t that terrible! I can’t wait to make my own after reading this.
Liz Thomas says
Jo San Karen!
Good grief, Shatin Heights Hotel! That’s a blast from the past. They put in the Shatin Race Course the year after I arrived and, as you say, Shatin has just ballooned into a huge town. I just about remember it when it was all green.
Lovely stories! Can you still remember any Cantonese? My husband Graham is fluent and I can just about get by. I understand much more than I can speak and can more or less follow conversations Graham has, as long as I know the subject. I get by in the market as I’m not too bad on food, my French is about the same, as long as I am speaking food I get along!
Great photos too.
I don’t have any of my old HK photos and I do regret it. I remember my first trip on a tram — all the way from Western to North point — clicking away and I don’t have any of them. Long story, won’t go into it and bore everyone.
Could do with that ice cream soda — soooo hot here at the moment.
Cheers!
L
Becs @ Lay the table says
Ice cream soda is the BEST. It’s just the perfect flavour combination, especially once the icecream has melted a little. I am going to have to go and invest in some cream soda, or maybe lemonade which is what I’d normally have with it!
What a fascinating childhood growing up in Hong Kong, my mum grew up in Singapore and has taught me quite a few of their local dishes.
Glamorous Glutton says
I can’t believe how different Shatin looked. So very green and so very different now. Great memories from Hong Kong a fabulous pictures. I love ice cream sodas and a low cal one is a definite must have. GG
Tracy Nixon says
Thanks for sharing – such low calories!!!! Yeah!! The photos are superb too! Google+’d
Kumar's Kitchen says
beautiful post,we can never have enough of icecream-sodas 🙂
Anita-Clare Field says
Lovely piece, brings back memories of being in Tankerton ( Nr Whitstable) staying with my Grandparents and visiting the Italian Ice Cream parlour run by a local Italian family. They had been there pre-WW2 and even when they were incarcerated the local community continued to run the parlour ( including my Grandmother) Their ice cream was sublime and to this day is the best ice cream I have ever tasted.
YOLANDA DAVIS says
these look amazing
Maya Russell says
Thank you for sharing the pictures and memories. I’ve never had icecream soda. Looks lush.
Irene Wright says
Must try this recipe. When I was a child in New Zealand my favourite pop drink was ice cream soda. Never had anything like it in the UK so I’ll have to make my own. Thanks for the recipe.
anthony harrington says
that brought back many memories for me too when I was little!
katie skeoch says
This post brought back some memories, my mum made the best ice cream soda!!
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
My Gran was a big fan of an Ice Cream Soda, but it always seemed a waste of a good ice cream to me!
Ursula Hunt says
Ice cream sodas always remind me of summer days with my mum 🙂
helen b says
I’ve only heard of ice cream sodas and never actually tried them but after reading this i’m definitely going to give it a go
kevin smith says
Only ever thought of cream soda being a canned drink, never occurred to me to make my own,,, will give this a go!
anthony harrington says
I had one of these the other day, it was yummy
Paul Wilson says
Ooh, they look so nice.
Irene Wright says
thanks for the recipe – looks good enough to eat/drink
Paul Wilson says
My gran used to make something similar as a treat, I think it had a few more calories though. 🙂
ursula hunt says
Perfect to cool you on hot summer days, I love this
kevin smith says
Made these this afternoon – AMAZING!
LINDSEY CLARK says
I like the look of this! Evokes childhood memories.
Stephanie Whitehouse says
Ice cream soda is teh drink of my childhood
Maya Russell says
I just want to go to that hotel! What a view. What’s that brown thing in front of the hotel, by the road? Is it rock?
Maya Russell says
Shared on Twitter, @maisietoo.
Maya Russell says
Also shared with G+ x
Pam Gregory says
What a great read. Have done these myself with diet coke – Lovely!
Paul Wilson says
Love this. Ice cream and soda is a great idea.
Annie Costa says
I used to love Vanilla Cream Soda..still do as a matter of fact,I remember trying to make it once myself when I was about 6 and getting soda&ice cream EVERYWHERE!Not to mention dirty cutlery lying around!
Amanda letch says
Lovely Child hood memories ! I remembered having a Cream Soda or Coca Cola Float ! ( That’s what we use to call them ) x
alice lightning says
love ice cream ,takes me back to when i use to work in an ice cream parlour lovely
Katie Walker says
Sounds naughty but really nice. Perfect for the summertime
Herbert Appleby says
what a lovely nostalgic post, I was off down melancholy lane and all warmed up on this cold winters night. Thank you.
John Tunnicliffe says
Ooo…….was just about seduced enough to make some ice cream soda but had no cream soda. Never mind pear juice, lemonade and ice cream came a close second 🙂
Karen says
Glad you could adapt the recipe John!
vanessa says
what a lovely memory of the shatin heights hotel! i lived in kowloon as a child and teenager from 67 onwards. my dad had done his military service in the colony and loved it so much he got a job there years later.
as he had been based in sek kong, we often went for car rides round the new territories on sundays, passing route twisk more times than i care to remember, we had sunday buffet at the shatin heights quite often, i remember it was a lovely spread!
one thing we did as kids was mix soft drinks (7up, coke) with tubs of ice cream (vanilla or strawberry) but i dont remember ordering that anywhere, it must have given a huge sugar rush! we called them floats back then!
(btw found your blog entry when sourcing vintage pics of amah rock)
Karen Burns-Booth says
Hi Vanessa,
Welcome to my space here, and I am so glad you found me too!
I lived in HK from 1961 to 1964 and then from 1965 to 1969, then after that my parents lived there two more times, but I was at college and uni’!
Thanks so much for popping by the leave this lovely comment, and I used to travel over Route TWISK everyday when I went to school!
Karen