Hot scoops on unique ice cream flavors
Plain old vanilla may reign supreme (according to the National Ice Cream Retailers Association), but artisan ice cream makers around the country are exercising creativity with delicious, off-the-wall flavors. These anything-but-plain treats will have you begging for a second scoop.
Queen of Cream, Atlanta
Organic ingredients plus milk and cream from local dairies and grass-fed cows provide the base for impossibly delicious confections by the queen herself, founder Cora Cotrim. Taste the simplicity and freshness in ever-changing flavors, including this summer’s Cardamom Rose, Blackberry Ginger, Lavender Honeycomb, Blood Orange Creamsicle and Bangkok Cream (dairy-free coconut with mango jam). On the go? Look for the shop’s mobile carts around town. queenofcream.com
Ice & Vice, New York
This self-described “experimental” shop is the poster child for eccentric combinations. “We wanted to break people’s perception of ice cream and introduce to them what you would see in fine dining,” says co-founder Ken Lo. Summer concoctions yet to be named will include coffee paired with champagne and another blending whiskey, ramen and flaming hot Cheetos. Even “The Basic B” — their version of vanilla — comes with a twist: a bit of black lava sea salt. iceandvice.com
Jeni’s, Columbus, Ohio
Jeni Britton Bauer’s name has become synonymous with delicious, quality ice cream, thanks in part to the two beautiful dessert cookbooks she has penned. Flavors such as Churro, Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso and Wildberry Lavender are available in Jeni’s scoop shops across the country, including 10 in her hometown of Columbus, as well as Atlanta; Charleston, S.C.; Chicago; Cleveland; Los Angeles; Nashville; and St. Louis. jenis.com
Gelato Fiasco, Portland, Maine
The batches at this shop are so small and the flavors change so often that if you don’t check out a zany flavor, you might never get the chance again. Favorites include Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp and Big County Brownie Gelato. Outside Portland, look for their pints in more than 4,000 stores nationwide. gelatofiasco.com
Cow Tipping Creamery, Austin and Dallas
This Texas favorite started selling its nostalgic soft-serve out of a mobile truck and will have three permanent locations by summer, two in Austin and one in Dallas. Summery flavors such as Rosemary Lemon Curd, Pistachio Rose and Matcha Green Tea are an ideal base for outlandish toppings like candied beer peanuts and Dr Pepper chocolate sauce. cowtippingcreamery.com