Check out this exclusive adult twist to a childhood fave in Poblacion!
Z Hostel in Poblacion is already quite known for its stellar roofdeck! With over a hundred beds, it’s also a staple amongst many travelers who call Poblacion “home” while they’re in Manila. Thanks to one of their resident bartenders’ iskrambol award-winning cocktail, another feather has been added to their cap.
During the recent Makati Food Festival, a cocktail competition was held to find Makati’s Signature Cocktail. Out of all the entrants, Z Hostel’s Jaypee Reyes bested everyone with his take on the street food classic ice scramble or iskrambol.
RELATED: 24 Hours In Poblacion: Eat, Dine, Unwind!
Iskrambol is typically made with shaved ice, marshmallows, various elements for flavoring, and milk, topped off by a chocolate drizzle. It is often colored pink and associated with childhood as a more affordable alternative to ice cream. This is said to have originated in the province of Iloilo, a province in the Visayas.
Inspired By Childhood Dreams
As a child, Jaypee often saw an iskrambol vendor on his way home from school. While he wanted one of his own, he could never afford it. Often finding the need to pinch pennies as in his own words he was “poor” then, street food like that was simply a luxury.
The feeling of not being able to afford it while watching his classmates enjoy stuck with him through the years. When he started working at Z Hostel, he saw plenty of schools in Makati.
All that served as a reminder of his childhood dream to enjoy the tasty delight. Recently, he was invited by a guest of the hostel to join Makati City’s Food Festival as an entrant in the cocktail competition.
“[I] thought [if] I couldn’t afford [the iskrambol] when I was young, I’m gonna create a version of it on my own now,” Jaypee said in a statement on Z Hostel’s social media. “This drink will surely bring back your childhood. And will remind you that YOU CAN CREATE your own future.”
Banner Image Dani Sison
