Real Philadelphia water ice is not a snow cone nor a slushie. Made in chilled barrels, much like Italian gelato, it blends fruit, sugar and water into a thick, silky scoop with the texture of sorbet. It’s completely dairy-free, but still rich and smooth enough to eat with a spoon.
Toronto has its share of frozen treats, from Sicilian granita at longtime counters like Mizzica to fruit sorbetti along College Street. But authentic Mid-Atlantic water ice is still hard to find. Even U.S. chains like Rita’s have yet to make it to the GTA, leaving homesick expats and curious locals to wait for festival pop-ups or make a trip across the border.
Philadelphia water ice has officially found a home in Toronto. Holy Batter opened its first storefront this week on Eglinton Avenue West, bringing the Philly favourite to Little Jamaica.
Owner Dae launched Holy Batter in 2022 as a festival cart and catering business. Her love of Philadelphia water ice goes back to childhood summers spent at her grandfather Logan Sterling’s convenience store in Philadelphia, where he introduced her to the neighbourhood treat. After years of experimenting with small-batch churning techniques in commercial kitchens back home, she’s finally opened a counter of her own.
The opening menu features eight flavours, from lemon and mango to green apple and Swedish Fish. You can mix and match them in combinations like the Bob Marley (green apple, pineapple and cherry) or add chamoy and Tajín for a salty, sour hit.
The classic way to order it is gelati-style. In Mid-Atlantic slang, a gelati has nothing to do with Italian gelato. It’s a scoop of tart water ice topped with a generous swirl of vanilla soft serve. The contrast of icy fruit and creamy vanilla is what makes it special. You can also skip the cup and get the combination tucked into a chocolate-dipped waffle taco.
Eight-ounce cups start at $7, with larger 16-ounce servings and take-home quarts also available. Find Holy Batter at 1538 Eglinton Avenue West.