Local chef Peter Jovetic has launched a line of artisan ice cream with a uniquely Bermuda flavour.

Alex & Pete’s Bermuda Artisan Ice Cream has been on sale at some supermarkets for the last two weeks, as well as other stores and locations with plans to expand.

Six flavours are currently offered, said a spokesperson for the brand, including a series inspired by Gosling’s Bermuda Black Rum and ‘national drink’ dark ‘n stormy and swizzle. The series includes the boozy St George’s Black Rum & Ginger, St David’s Black Rum & Raisin and Rum Swizzle — made with Outerbridge’s Original Bermuda Rum Swizzle Mix.

The small-batch creations also include Old Fashioned Pineapple Sherbet, Hog Bay Chocolate & Brownie Chunk, Southampton Sea Salt Caramel and soon-to-launch Riddell’s Bay Chocolate Ripple.

Alex & Pete’s partnered with Outerbridge Peppers Ltd to produce their Rum Swizzle flavour using two of Bermuda’s best known products: Outerbridge’s Original Bermuda Rum Swizzle Mix and Gosling’s Black Seal Rum — “a true representation of Bermuda”, said the spokesperson.

There are plans to add a new flavour every month, including a special holiday eggnog, coffee, and white chocolate and raspberry ripple.

The ice cream has already been a hit at Lindo’s supermarkets, where they say the pints have been “flying off shelves”.

“The line of Bermuda-made ice cream has certainly caught the attention of shoppers and is gaining a loyal following. Lindo’s is always proud to support great local products and we are pleased to be a part of Alex & Pete’s success,” said Nelson Arruda, the frozen foods manager at Lindo’s Market in Devonshire.

‘We were the first the agree to stock it. Peter reached out to us and asked if I was interested in locally made ice cream. I was impressed with the unique flavours,” he said. “It really has taken off — we have to top up the order every day or so.”

Mr Arruda said there are already repeat customers and they are also coming back to try different favours.

The brand is also available at Lindo’s in Warwick, Miles Market and The Supermart in Hamilton, Harrington Hundreds and Selena’s Restaurant in St George’s.

It is offered at a newly opened ice cream parlour, Meltdown, in the Old Cellar Lane, where Rum Swizzle and St George’s Black Rum & Ginger ice cream are served by the cone or cup.

“It has been a very successful launch and this is just the beginning for Alex & Pete’s,” said Mr Jovetic, who is the owner of Food4Thought Catering. The launch of Alex & Pete’s comes after more than a year of creating, experimenting with, and taste-testing many different ice cream flavours and ingredients from different sources with friends and Alex & Pete’s marketing consultant Marina Mello. They worked with graphic designer Jane Pearson of Think Creative Solutions to come up with the Alex & Pete’s concept design and visual branding. Ms Pearson designed the labels for the flavours which are named after Bermuda parishes and neighbourhoods.

“The philosophy behind Alex & Peter’s is simple,” said Mr Jovetic. “It’s ice cream made from the heart. We use fresh, premium, natural ingredients, and absolutely no artificial flavour or colouring.”

The brand is also a tribute to his son, Alex. “Alex is my inspiration for not only the ice cream, but for striving to overcome any challenge in life. Alex has cerebral palsy and what he does every day to accomplish the things many of us take for granted makes me so proud of him. He is, and always will be, my hero.”

Father and son began making ice cream together some 15 years ago. They both loved ice cream and it was something they enjoyed doing together and could bond over. They went from making tubs of their favourite white chocolate vanilla ice cream to churning out batches of Aero mint chunk and Eton mess.

Last year Mr Jovetic decided to make bigger batches of his ice cream and sell it wholesale.

He now has an eye on expanding the company in other markets including the US where the company is working with an up-and-coming artisan ice cream maker on potentially exciting projects.

The ice cream costs $8.73 a carton, while the pineapple sherbet is $7.25.