16 Weirdest Ice Cream Flavors in America
The summer heat always makes me crave ice cream. It doesn’t matter the form—a melty soft serve in a cone, a thick milkshake, a layered parfait, or a decadent sundae—ice cream always hits the spot. I tend to stick to the classic flavors, but once, I tried avocado ice cream on a dare, thinking it would be nasty. It was actually pretty good! But I still think I’ll stick to my regulars like vanilla, cookie dough, coffee, or cookies & cream.
I thought I was wild trying avocado ice cream, but it turns out there are much stranger offerings when it comes to America’s favorite frozen dessert. These odd ice cream flavors might have you spitting out your treat in the trash, but hey, take a risk, and you just might discover a flavor that becomes a new favorite!
1. Lobster
Yep, you read it right: lobster ice cream in the Lobster capital of the US… Maine! Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium in Bar Harbor serves creamy vanilla ice cream with sweet, buttery chunks of real, fresh-from-the-Atlantic lobster. The red lobster flecks make it look festive, and customers claim the taste is surprisingly delightful. Ben & Bill’s has been churning out this iconic flavor since 1988, so this isn’t just some recent fad.
2. Cold Sweat
Head to Sunni Sky’s in Angier, North Carolina, for an ice cream adventure with over 130 flavors, including the fiery Cold Sweat. But this one flavor isn’t for the faint of the tongue—you have to sign a waiver before trying this spicy treat made with hot sauce, habaneros, and ghost peppers, all swirled into a cool, delicious base.
3. Garlic
Is there a better place to try garlic ice cream than the Garlic Capital of the World? Yep, you heard right– Garlic ice cream in Gilroy, California! Locals rave about the surprising harmony between the sweet vanilla base and the subtle, savory hint of garlic.
Ready to take the garlic plunge? Head to Gilroy and hit the Garlic Shoppe, Pacheco Pass Farmers Market, or Garlic World (this town seriously loves garlic!). They all serve this iconic treat in both scoops and soft serve.
4. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
Craving a hot twist on a cold treat? With locations all over the US, Marble Slab Creamery is a shop famous for its crazy mix-in creations. They’ve joined forces with the legendary Cheetos brand to bring us this one-of-a-kind treat.
You can’t say no to the creamy, sweet ice cream bursting with crunchy, fiery Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in every bite. Get a regular scoop of this fiery fun, or you can even get the Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Shake.
5. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Have you ever dreamed of combining your two favorite childhood treats? Van Leeuwen’s Kraft Macaroni & Cheese ice cream swirls rich, cheesy goodness with the sweet flavor of Kraft’s iconic powdered cheese. Originally a limited edition, it’s now back for good! Grab a pint at Van Leeuwen locations or find it in Walmart freezers nationwide.
6. Horseradish
Horseradish on a roast beef sandwich? Classic. Horseradish in ice cream? I’m not sure I’m brave enough to try it. It’s a sweet, creamy vanilla base laced with a subtle kick of spicy horseradish. So, next time you find yourself in Queens, New York, ditch the vanilla bean and head to Max and Mina’s. Who knows, it might just become your new favorite (and most unexpected) ice cream flavor!
7. Dill Pickle
I’m a huge fan of crunchy dill pickles, but I’m very skeptical of pickle-flavored ice cream. People who love it describe it as a cool, refreshing scoop of soft-serve that explodes with the tangy, briny goodness of a dill pickle with a surprising hint of sweetness from its creamy base.
This cult-favorite flavor comes from Dakota Drug Co. in Stanley, North Dakota, home to the only surviving Whirl-A-Whip machine. If you’re feeling adventurous, add black cherry or chocolate chips for a sweet-salty-tangy flavor explosion!
8. Mountain Dew and Doritos
In middle school, my friends and I chose Mountain Dew and Doritos as the snack combo of choice. I would never have considered making it into an ice cream flavor, but who can resist trying something wild?
Sparky’s Homemade in Columbia, Missouri, offers Mountain Dew and Doritos Ice Cream, blending tangy citrus with salty, cheesy crunch. Don’t knock it till you try it—this sweet and salty combo might surprise you! (Note that this was a special event and may not be available daily.)
9. Vodka, Lavender, and Honey
Have you heard about the ice cream that’s raising eyebrows (and spoons) across the state? Hartzell’s Ice Cream in Bloomington, Indiana, offers the “Garden of Good and Evil” flavor, a unique blend of earthy lavender, sweet honey, and a hint of vodka.
Is this a boozy ice cream that’ll get you tipsy? Not quite. The amount of vodka is small, mainly there to enhance the floral and herbal notes of the lavender. It’s surprisingly refreshing and perfect for a warm day!
10. Pineapple Cilantro
Kansas summers are hot, and this sorbet is like a cool breeze on a scorching day. Glace Artisan Ice Cream throws a tropical party in your mouth with their Pineapple Cilantro Sorbet.
This treat is not for the cilantro-haters of the group. But if you’re a fan of the flavorful herb, the sweet, juicy pineapple chunks perfectly blend with the bright, citrusy notes of cilantro. It’s anything but ordinary!
11. Asparagus Water
CoolHaus, a Texas ice cream haven, uses asparagus water’s subtle, grassy essence to create a surprisingly delightful frozen treat. It’s not what you expect! The asparagus water adds a hint of vegetable earthiness, balanced perfectly with a touch of sweetness. While asparagus water might have caused a stir at Whole Foods, CoolHaus asparagus water ice cream is surprisingly affordable.
12. Tequila Almond
Tequila Almond ice cream is definitely on the quirky side of the flavor spectrum, but that’s what makes Crazy Delights in Lakewood, California so much fun! Here’s the thing: this ice cream doesn’t actually have any tequila in it (no worries, it’s safe for all ages!). Instead, it captures the essence of that cool, refreshing agave flavor with a sweet, nutty twist. The first bite delivers sweet cream with a hint of tropical magic, followed by rich, nutty almonds.
13. Pear and Blue Cheese
Salt & Straw in Portland takes sweet, juicy Oregon Bartlett pears and candies them low and slow to really amp up their flavor. Then, they crumble in some of the best blue cheese in the world, Rogue Creamery’s award-winning variety. While it’s a bit pricey, the quality and texture with pear chunks make it worth every bite!
14. Deviled Egg Custard with Smoked Black Tea
Think you’ve seen it all in the ice cream world? Think again! This bold flavor transforms a party appetizer into a creamy delight. Picture smooth egg yolk custard ice cream with a savory punch from volcanic black salt, Kala Namak. Swirls of smoked tea-infused shortbread and balsamic egg white marshmallow fluff add a campfire-like twist. It was a hit in Salt & Straw’s 2022 Summer Picnic Series!
15. Wasabi
Wasabi isn’t just for sushi anymore! The fiery green condiment has been transformed into a creamy, cool treat by the gelato geniuses at il Laboratorio del Gelato in New York City. Fresh Japanese wasabi is grated into a vibrant green paste and then infused ever-so-slightly into an amazing gelato base.
16. Idaho Ice Cream Potato
Westside Drive-In is known for its classic American fare alongside its ice cream creations. Ask the locals, and they’ll say the Idaho Ice Cream Potato is a fun surprise. Imagine ordering a dish that looks exactly like a baked potato… but take a bite, and it’s smooth vanilla ice cream instead! It starts with a creamy base topped with cocoa “skin” and then gets topped with whipped cream and crushed Oreos for a fun twist.
