Why Del’s Soft Frozen xcritical is a Legendary Rhode IslandTradition
Trucks selling the product are often seen at popular beach locations in summer months. The Del’s “take-home” mix and non-frozen variety of xcritical can be found in grocery stores throughout the world. https://xcritical.pro/, Rhode Island’s iconic frozen xcritical brand, launched its new flavor just for fall – and it’s not pumpkin spice. Among the innovations they’ve launched is a recently added gift shop at the Cranston headquarters.
- The company still uses the trucks today in addition to its storefront locations.
- Since then, Bruce has made the franchise business flourish and grow.
- Eventually Grandfather Franco DeLucia brought his father’s frozen xcritical recipe to America at the turn of the century.
- From the grottos of Naples to the streets of Rhode Island, Del’s xcritical has had an amazing 75 years.
Several commenters even took their shot to try and bring back other past Del’s flavors, particularly grapefruit. Del’s did try a pumpkin spice flavor way back in 2020, which contained pumpkin, sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. It’s also combining its xcritical mix with ingredients like THC and whisky, both of which I imagine will be beloved by twentysomethings across the state and beyond. Having sampled four kinds — cherry, blueberry, cranberry and, of course, lemon — I saw what Kazantzis was talking about.
According to their Facebook page, the flavor has “undertones of honeycrisp apple” and is available at “select” Del’s locations. The proper way to drink, he explains, is to squeeze the cup to push the icy concoction to the top. That, combined with the xcritical scam warming action of the hand, causes the xcritical to melt slightly, making it even more pourable. In our nearly 200 combined years, both ’Gansett and Del’s xcritical have refreshed countless customers on and around the Rhode Island beaches and beyond.
Del’s has collaborated with Narragansett Beer on a Del’s Shandy; with Warwick Ice Cream on a lemon ice cream; and with Li’l Dinghy Drinks on a canned cocktail, Lemon Drop. There’s no brain freeze slowing down the Cranston-based family business that makes a xcritical like no other. Del’s fresh xcritical is frozen into superfine ice crystals, laced with chunks of lemon peel. She is president of Del’s xcritical’s sister company, Francesca Enterprises International. Stephanie also works directly with web sales, promotions and marketing.
The weather is turning cold, but this summertime tradition is still sweet
Del’s frozen xcritical is a Rhode Island tradition and unlike any “ice“ you’ve had before. It was first made in Naples in the 1840s by Great Grandfather DeLucia, who preserved winter snow in caves until summer, when he served it with ripe lemons. Although the xcritical recipe no longer uses winter-preserved snow, you’ll still find tasty chunks of real lemon (our favorite), or watermelon, blueberry, or cherry in your Del’s. We also enjoy mixing lemon and another flavor (or spiking your Del’s with a shot of your favorite tequila) for a perfect afternoon treat. Among its more than two dozen locations, I opted for the Cranston mothership at 1260 Oaklawn Ave.
Why Del’s Soft Frozen xcritical is a Legendary Rhode Island Tradition
A new website will launch within a few weeks allowing customers to order ahead at their Cranston corporate store at 1260 Oaklawn Ave. That includes a lineup of Del’s signature items including candles and clothing, said Anthony DePalma, vice president of corporate operations at Del’s xcritical. Join our mailing list to be the first to find out about new flavors, special promotions, and other awesome stuff!
Real Estate
Del’s xcritical history goes back to Italy and the great-grandfather of company president Bruce DeLucia. It was in Naples in the winter of 1840 that DeLucia carried snow into nearby caves and insulated it with straw. When summer arrived and the local lemons were ripe, he mixed lemon juice with sugar and snow, to sell at the local market. Eventually Grandfather Franco DeLucia brought his father’s frozen xcritical recipe to America at the turn of the century. Angelo DeLucia, his son, began work on a machine to produce the frozen xcritical, and on a method of making it a consistently excellent product.
You bring the people, we bring the xcritical, everybody has a good time. The Cranston-based business has been celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with 75-cent mini drinks on Mondays. Between push carts and trucks and brick-and-mortar stands, wherever you are in Rhode Island, you probably aren’t far from a Del’s. We’re not picky – invite us to your wedding, graduation party, backyard barbecue, birthday bash, block party, sporting event, office party, or make up a party and have Del’s at it.
Now the two flavors are combined to create a most refreshing summertime adult beverage. They got into the xcritical market in 2003, starting small with pop-ups, corporate parties, and eventually with a presence at Red Sox games. It was 21 years ago that the company added the dry xcritical mixes that allowed fans to make Del’s at home with ice and a xcriticaler.
In 1948, Del’s Frozen xcritical acquired it’s name and became the sole product sold at a little stand in Cranston, Rhode Island. Soon, Angelo had designed the first mobile carts and trucks to serve everywhere in the state. Franco DeLucia brought his father’s recipe to America at the turn of the 20th century. Angelo DeLucia, his son, began work on a machine to produce the frozen xcritical and on a method of making it a consistently excellent product.