Guinness may be a great drink, but Golden Wok, 223 Welch Ave. Unit 1, is betting customers like it as something more – a frozen treat.

The restaurant has sold ice cream flavored with Guinness, as well as other alcoholic drinks, since June, when it opened an ice cream parlor in the space below the eatery.

The shop serves up a normal array of ice cream flavors as well, but most of the buzz about the parlor’s recent opening has surrounded the ice cream versions of alcoholic drinks like Guinness or White Russians.

Because the alcohol is in a food instead of a beverage, and only small quantities are used in the flavoring of the treat, ice cream lovers of all ages can enjoy, no ID required.

“It checks out on both ends,” said Emily Burton, secretary for city clerk. “The Alcoholic Beverages Division only regulates alcohol when it’s intended as a beverage and this clearly is not.”

But that’s not to say there’s a loophole in the law – businesses couldn’t use this clause to circumvent getting a beer or liquor license by freezing their product.

The key is the amount of alcohol used in the product, said Lynn Walding, administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

There’s no set limit on the amount of alcohol allowed, but if a food product allows diners to “get to an intoxication state, then they would be treated as alcohol,” Walding said.

But for products containing small amounts, such as chocolates or ice cream, that isn’t a problem.

“Typically what it is, is just a flavor,” Walding said.

Golden Wok ownership could not be reached for comment.

How it’s legal: Iowa code 123.29

Section 1: This chapter does not prohibit the sale of patent and proprietary medicines, tinctures, food products, extracts, toiletries, perfumes and similar products, which are not susceptible of use as a beverage, but which contain alcoholic liquor, wine or beer as one of their ingredients. These products may be sold through ordinary wholesale and retail businesses without a license or permit issued by the division.