Originally published in Free Times by Pat Moran on September 10, 2026.
What do an R&B sensation and a University of South Carolina basketball star-turned hometown entrepreneur have in common? They’re both in Columbia hitting America's sweet spot — with a twist.
Former Gamecock basketball star and political consultant Jennifer Randall-Collins, and Grammy-winning artist October London, who headlined Townhall Auditorium on Sept. 4, have teamed up to sweeten adult palates across the country. Randall’s Columbia-based company PROOF Hard Ice Cream, which makes frozen desserts containing alcoholic spirits, has named London its chief creative advisor.
Now, London and Randall-Collins are making plans to promote the product through entertainment and distribution opportunities.
October’s ice cream surprise
PROOF Hard Ice Cream offers six signature flavors, including Sweet Caramel Old Fashioned, Chocolate Espresso Martini, Strawberry Daiquiri Spritz, Tropical Pina Colada, Chocolate Cherry Manhattan and New York Cheese Cake Martini. Each variety contains 5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), which comes to 10 proof.
The alcohol-infused ice cream brand is sold in over 600 retail stores in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and California, and can be purchased at 12 locations in the greater Columbia area.