This base can be tweaked to create different flavors. Any of the suggestions from the Garnishes and Additions to Ice Cream chart, may be mixed into the base, the base may be heated and infused with different flavors as for Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream or Coffee Ice Cream, or stir in caramelized sugar as for Caramel Ice Cream. The optional citric acid does not make the ice cream taste sour at all—it simply adds a little complexity.

Combine in a medium bowl:

Let sit overnight. Drain the cashews and transfer to a blender. Add:

Blend until very smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed. Unless you have a high-powered blender, strain the ice cream base through a fine-mesh sieve. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate the ice cream base until cold, overnight if possible, or quick-chill in an ice water bath.

Pour the base into an ice cream maker and freeze as directed. Transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid and freeze for at least 4 hours to harden.