Ice cream is one of summer's most simple pleasures. These days there's an incredible variety of creameries all over the U.S. making innovative, satisfying flavors—many of which can be ordered online. From simple classics to over-the-top pints with plenty of mix-ins, these are our favorite store-bought ice creams.
Southern Pecan Pie Ice Cream
Honeymoon Ice Cream Cream steeped with whiskey barrel chips adds just a hint of smoke to this light, fluffy ice cream; the whole thing is blended with candied pecans and honey for an end result that’s sweet, crunchy, and far more delicate than you’d expect.
Mardi Gras Pie Ice Cream
New Orleans Ice Cream Company New Orleans Ice Cream Company has turned the Mardi Gras tradition of moon pies—the classic Southern cookie sandwiches filled with marshmallow—into an over-the-top frozen treat: Graham cookie pieces, chocolate chips, and marshmallow are all swirled into a marshmallow ice cream base flavored with a hint of honey.
Lemon Opal Basil Sorbetto
Dolcezza Gelato This DC-based ice cream maker crafts seasonal flavors using mostly local ingredients; our favorite is the bright, herbal lemon sorbet with clove-like opal basil.
Toffee Toasted Ice Cream
High Road High Road’s smooth almond ice cream has the dense sweetness of marzipan; toasted almonds and sweet toffee add a crunchy textural contrast.
Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp
Gelato Fiasco Gelato Fiasco in Brunswick, Maine, makes this fruity, summery pint with vanilla ice cream, ripe Maine blueberries, and crunchy oat streusel.
Mexican Chili Chocolate Ice Cream
Steve’s Ice Cream Chocolate, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper are in perfect balance in a rich, dark ice cream with a hint of heat from Brooklyn-based Steve’s Ice Cream.
Vanilla Cinnamon Ice Cream
Phin & Phebes Vietnamese cinnamon is a perfect compliment to rich vanilla in this luscious ice cream—a simple classic.
Nocciola Gelato
Capogiro Gelato Toasted hazelnut gelato is an Italian classic; this version is one of the best we’ve tried, with a smooth texture and a dense, nutty sweetness.
Ruffino Prosecco Sorbetto with Clementine
Il Laboratorio del Gelato Fruity Ruffino prosecco infuses sweet, silky tangerine sorbet for a light dessert that’s akin to a frozen mimosa.
