The Awful Awful. The name itself is intriguing, almost daring. It’s a name that begs the question: why? Why would anyone christen a beverage with such a seemingly negative, contradictory moniker? The answer, as with many beloved regional culinary traditions, is a blend of history, marketing, and a healthy dose of Rhode Island charm. Join us as we delve into the sweet, chilly, and surprisingly compelling story behind this iconic drink.
The Birth of a Legend: The History of the Awful Awful
To understand the Awful Awful, we need to rewind to the mid-20th century and a Rhode Island dairy institution: Newport Creamery. Established in 1928, Newport Creamery quickly became a local favorite, known for its ice cream, milkshakes, and family-friendly atmosphere. It was during this era, specifically in the 1940s, that the Awful Awful was born.
The creation of the Awful Awful is often attributed to Newport Creamery employee, Leonard “Duke” Lawson. While the exact details of its invention are shrouded in a bit of lore, the generally accepted narrative is that Lawson was experimenting with different milkshake recipes. He aimed to create a drink that was thicker and richer than the average milkshake, a true indulgence.
He succeeded. The Awful Awful was unlike anything else on the market. It was thick, creamy, and intensely flavorful. The secret? A blend of frozen flavored syrup, milk, and a generous scoop of ice cream. It was so rich that it was almost difficult to finish, but so delicious that people kept coming back for more.
Why “Awful Awful”? The Naming Conundrum
This brings us to the crucial question: how did this delectable creation get such a peculiar name? The explanation, while simple, is quite telling. The name “Awful Awful” was chosen because the drink was deemed “awful big” and “awful good.” It was a tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating way to describe the drink’s massive size and undeniably delicious flavor.
The name stuck, and it proved to be a stroke of marketing genius. The contradictory nature of the name piqued people’s curiosity. They wanted to know what this “Awful Awful” was all about. And once they tasted it, they understood. The name became part of the drink’s appeal, an integral part of its identity.
Newport Creamery’s Legacy and the Awful Awful’s Rise to Fame
Newport Creamery played a vital role in popularizing the Awful Awful. The chain consistently promoted the drink, and it quickly became a menu staple. Generations of Rhode Islanders grew up enjoying Awful Awfuls after school, on weekends, and during summer vacations. The drink became synonymous with Newport Creamery and with Rhode Island itself.
The Awful Awful’s popularity extended beyond Rhode Island, although it remained primarily a regional phenomenon. Tourists visiting the state often sought out Newport Creamery specifically to try this unique and oddly named beverage. It became a must-try item for anyone wanting to experience authentic Rhode Island culture.
What Makes an Awful Awful, Awful? The Key Ingredients and Preparation
The beauty of the Awful Awful lies in its simplicity. While the recipe is straightforward, the quality of the ingredients and the proper technique are crucial to achieving the perfect Awful Awful experience. It’s more than just a milkshake; it’s a carefully crafted concoction.
The key components are:
- Frozen Flavored Syrup: This is the foundation of the Awful Awful. The syrup is frozen until it’s almost like a slush. This contributes to the drink’s signature thickness and intense flavor. Classic flavors include chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and strawberry, but over the years, Newport Creamery has experimented with numerous variations.
- Milk: Whole milk is typically used to provide richness and creaminess. The milk helps to blend the frozen syrup and ice cream, creating a smooth and consistent texture.
- Ice Cream: A generous scoop of high-quality ice cream is essential. The ice cream adds to the drink’s thickness and flavor. The flavor of ice cream often complements the frozen syrup, but sometimes contrasts with it for a unique flavor profile.
- The Blend: The magic happens in the blending process. The ingredients are combined in a milkshake machine and blended until smooth and creamy. The key is to achieve the perfect consistency – thick enough to require a spoon, but not so thick that it’s impossible to drink.
The Art of the Awful Awful: Consistency and Technique
While the ingredients are simple, the technique is crucial. Newport Creamery employees are trained to make Awful Awfuls according to a specific protocol. The order in which the ingredients are added and the duration of the blending process all contribute to the final result.
The ideal Awful Awful is thick, creamy, and intensely flavored. It should be cold and refreshing, perfect for a hot summer day. It should be so rich that it takes some effort to finish, but so delicious that you can’t resist taking another sip.
Flavor Variations: A World of Awful Awful Possibilities
While the classic flavors remain popular, Newport Creamery has offered a wide range of Awful Awful variations over the years. These include seasonal flavors, limited-edition creations, and collaborations with local businesses. This constant innovation has helped to keep the Awful Awful fresh and exciting, attracting new customers while satisfying loyal fans.
Some popular flavor variations have included:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Coffee Oreo
- Mint Chocolate Chip
- Strawberry Cheesecake
The possibilities are endless, limited only by the imagination of the Newport Creamery team.
The Awful Awful Today: A Rhode Island Staple and Beyond
Despite changes in ownership and shifts in the culinary landscape, the Awful Awful remains a beloved Rhode Island icon. Newport Creamery continues to serve the drink at its various locations, and it is still a popular choice for locals and tourists alike.
While Newport Creamery is the primary purveyor of the Awful Awful, other ice cream shops and restaurants in Rhode Island have created their own versions of the drink. These variations may differ slightly in ingredients or preparation, but they all aim to capture the essence of the original Awful Awful: a thick, creamy, and intensely flavored milkshake.
The Awful Awful’s Enduring Appeal: Why It Still Matters
The Awful Awful’s enduring appeal can be attributed to several factors:
- Nostalgia: For many Rhode Islanders, the Awful Awful is associated with childhood memories, family outings, and happy times. It’s a taste of nostalgia that evokes feelings of comfort and familiarity.
- Uniqueness: The Awful Awful is unlike any other milkshake on the market. Its unique texture, intense flavor, and quirky name set it apart from the competition.
- Tradition: The Awful Awful is a Rhode Island tradition, a part of the state’s cultural identity. It’s a symbol of local pride and a reminder of simpler times.
- Deliciousness: Ultimately, the Awful Awful is simply delicious. Its rich, creamy flavor and satisfying texture make it a treat that people crave.
Beyond Rhode Island: The Awful Awful’s Limited Expansion
While the Awful Awful remains primarily a Rhode Island phenomenon, there have been attempts to expand its reach beyond the state. However, these efforts have met with limited success. The Awful Awful’s unique appeal is closely tied to its Rhode Island roots. It’s difficult to replicate the same sense of nostalgia and tradition in other locations.
Furthermore, the Awful Awful requires specific ingredients and preparation techniques to achieve its signature texture and flavor. Maintaining consistency across multiple locations can be challenging.
The Future of the Awful Awful: Preserving a Legacy
The future of the Awful Awful depends on preserving its legacy while adapting to changing consumer preferences. Newport Creamery must continue to uphold the quality and consistency of the drink, while also exploring new flavor variations and marketing strategies to attract new customers.
The Awful Awful is more than just a milkshake; it’s a symbol of Rhode Island’s culinary heritage. By preserving its unique qualities and celebrating its history, Newport Creamery can ensure that the Awful Awful continues to be enjoyed for generations to come.
The Awful Awful’s Place in Rhode Island Culture
The Awful Awful has deeply permeated Rhode Island culture. It’s not just a drink; it’s a conversation starter, a point of pride, and a symbol of local identity. You’ll find it mentioned in local media, celebrated at community events, and debated amongst friends and family.
The drink has inspired countless articles, blog posts, and social media discussions. People share their memories of enjoying Awful Awfuls, debate their favorite flavors, and offer their own interpretations of the recipe. The Awful Awful has become a part of the Rhode Island vernacular, a shared experience that binds people together.
The Awful Awful and Rhode Island Identity
The Awful Awful is inextricably linked to Rhode Island’s identity. It represents the state’s quirky, independent spirit and its appreciation for simple pleasures. Just like Del’s Lemonade or coffee milk, the Awful Awful is a culinary ambassador for Rhode Island, a taste of home that evokes fond memories and a sense of belonging.
When Rhode Islanders travel outside the state, they often find themselves explaining what an Awful Awful is. This act of explanation reinforces their connection to their home state and highlights the uniqueness of Rhode Island culture.
Awful Awful Competitions and Celebrations
The Awful Awful has even inspired competitions and celebrations. Newport Creamery has held contests to create new Awful Awful flavors, and local events often feature Awful Awful-eating contests. These events are a testament to the drink’s enduring popularity and its role in Rhode Island’s social fabric.
The Awful Awful is a reminder that sometimes the best things in life are the simplest: a cold, creamy milkshake enjoyed with friends and family on a warm summer day.
In conclusion, the Awful Awful’s name, while seemingly contradictory, perfectly captures the essence of this iconic Rhode Island drink: awfully big and awfully good. Its history, ingredients, and cultural significance have cemented its place as a beloved symbol of the Ocean State.
Why is it Called an Awful Awful?
The name “Awful Awful” is surprisingly straightforward, stemming from the drink’s perceived qualities. It’s said that the owner of Newport Creamery, Sidney Hassenfeld, thought the drink was “awful big” and “awful good.” He combined these two “awfuls” to create the memorable name. While seemingly simplistic, the name stuck and contributed significantly to the drink’s enduring appeal.
However, some locals suggest the name might be a bit tongue-in-cheek. Rhode Islanders are known for their dry wit and self-deprecating humor. The name “Awful Awful” could be a playful understatement, hinting that the drink is much better than the name implies. Regardless of the exact origin, the name is undeniably catchy and has become synonymous with the creamy frozen treat.
What Exactly is an Awful Awful Made Of?
An Awful Awful is essentially a thick, creamy frozen milkshake. It traditionally consists of a flavored frozen dairy base, typically a blend of ice milk and a special syrup, mixed with milk. The key to its signature texture lies in the ratio of ingredients and the blending process, creating a drink that’s richer and thicker than a standard milkshake.
While the specific recipe is closely guarded by Newport Creamery, it’s widely believed that the frozen dairy base is crucial. It contributes to the drink’s signature thickness and prevents it from becoming watery. The addition of flavored syrup, like chocolate, coffee, or vanilla, provides the desired flavor profile. The perfect Awful Awful is a balance of frozen base, milk, and syrup, blended to a consistency that’s almost impossible to drink with a straw initially.
Where Did the Awful Awful Originate?
The Awful Awful was invented at Newport Creamery, a restaurant chain with deep roots in Rhode Island. Sidney Hassenfeld, the owner of Newport Creamery, is credited with creating the drink in the late 1940s. He sought to create a unique, appealing beverage that would draw customers to his restaurants.
Since its creation, the Awful Awful has become a signature item for Newport Creamery, solidifying its status as a Rhode Island staple. Its popularity has remained strong for decades, making it a nostalgic favorite for generations of Rhode Islanders. While Newport Creamery’s presence has changed over time, the Awful Awful endures as a testament to the chain’s legacy.
Is the Awful Awful Only Available at Newport Creamery?
Yes, the original and officially branded Awful Awful is exclusively available at Newport Creamery. The company has trademarked the name, ensuring that only their locations can legally sell a drink marketed as an “Awful Awful.” This exclusivity contributes to its unique appeal and association with the iconic Rhode Island establishment.
However, many other restaurants and ice cream shops throughout Rhode Island and nearby states offer similar thick milkshakes or frozen drinks that might bear resemblance to the Awful Awful. While they cannot legally call their product an “Awful Awful,” these alternatives often attempt to replicate the creamy texture and rich flavor profile that made the original so popular.
What Makes the Awful Awful Different From a Milkshake?
The primary difference between an Awful Awful and a typical milkshake lies in its ingredients and consistency. While both drinks contain milk and flavoring, the Awful Awful uses a unique frozen dairy base, typically ice milk, which gives it a significantly thicker and creamier texture compared to a milkshake made solely with ice cream.
Furthermore, the ratio of ingredients plays a crucial role. Awful Awfuls are typically blended with less milk, resulting in a denser, more substantial drink. The blending process also contributes to the unique texture, creating a product that is almost spoonable and requires significant effort to drink through a straw. This distinctive characteristic is a key factor in what sets it apart from ordinary milkshakes.
Has the Awful Awful Recipe Changed Over Time?
While the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, it’s generally believed that the core components of the Awful Awful have remained largely consistent over time. Newport Creamery has maintained its commitment to using a specific frozen dairy base and a precise ratio of ingredients to achieve the signature texture and flavor that customers have come to expect.
However, subtle variations might exist due to ingredient sourcing or adjustments in blending techniques over the years. Newport Creamery has also introduced new flavor variations to appeal to evolving customer preferences. Despite these potential minor tweaks, the fundamental essence of the Awful Awful – its rich, creamy texture and signature flavor – has remained a constant, preserving its nostalgic appeal.
Why is the Awful Awful Considered an Iconic Rhode Island Drink?
The Awful Awful has achieved iconic status in Rhode Island due to its long-standing history and association with Newport Creamery, a beloved local establishment. For generations, Rhode Islanders have grown up enjoying the Awful Awful, creating a strong sense of nostalgia and connection to the drink. It’s become a symbol of the state’s unique food culture.
Furthermore, the Awful Awful’s distinct flavor and texture set it apart from typical milkshakes, contributing to its unique identity. The combination of a catchy name, consistent quality, and strong local ties has cemented its place as a must-try beverage for anyone visiting Rhode Island. It is more than just a drink; it’s a cultural symbol representing Rhode Island’s culinary heritage.