In the midst of a heat wave, sometimes the only thing that can cool you down is a heaping scope of ice cream. Here is a list of some local wild and wacky flavors that we’ve seen offered by Sonoma County parlors, some may be seasonal, but we can vouch for all flavors at all of these delicious shops. Commemorate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 21 with one of our picks!
Cookie Monster
Oreo crumbles in cookie dough ice cream isn’t all that unique—but coloring the ice cream with blue spirulina to match the look of the malnourished Sesame Street character earns a spot on our list. Two Dog Night Creamery in Sebastopol and Windsor. Twodognightcreamery.com
Mangonada
This summery treat is a Mexican dessert gaining popularity throughout the North Bay. It’s mango sorbet mixed with chamoy—a sweet/spicy sauce—topped with chili powder. The hot/cold sensors on your tastebuds won’t know if they’re coming or going! The chain has franchises in Sonoma and Novato. Check out michoacana.com
Grape
Classic strawberry and the well-known orange/vanilla partnership have typically filled out the fruit-flavored list of ice cream options, but a wine-country appropriate grape entry sweetens up the menu at Two Dog Night Creamery in Sebastopol. To pair with a scoop of peanut butter ice cream perhaps? Twodognightcreamery.com
Lucuma
Expand your palette with a lucuma ice cream from Frozen Art Gourmet Ice Cream & Paletas in Santa Rosa. Lucuma is a tropical fruit native to Chile, Ecuador and Peru. You will taste familiar notes of maple and butterscotch with a surprising additional flavor: sweet potato! And this is just one of the many intriguing scoops at Frozen Art, to find out more head to frozenarticecream.com
Lavendar Lemon
Experience a delightful, sweet treat from Squatch’s Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwiches and Coffee Shop. There is a build your own delectable ice cream sandwich option, but the creativity truly lies in the specialty options. Imagine taking that first bite of lavender ice cream smushed in between two mouthwatering sugar cookies and topped with purple sugar crystals—a true escape from the summer heat. Squatch’s is located in Rohnert Park, for more information visit squatchscoffee.com
