We’ve all been there, Standing in front of a range of ice cream tubs wondering which to choose. One flavour? Three scoops? Tub? Cone? Sugared cone? So. Many. Decisions. Well, maybe when faced with some of these choices the only question would be, how adventurous are you feeling?
La Gelateria, London
An intriguing range of flavours including Cornish blue cheese and walnuts, Porcini chocolate cream and Pine nuts gelato. Not forgetting their award-winning basil and chilli gelato. There’s a great video on their website showing how they make their Menabrea beer-infused gelato.
Chin Chin Ice Cream, ships across the UK
ICE CREAM IN THE POST! DELIVERED IN DRY ICE! Forgive my excitement. I mean, who wouldn’t want to receive ice cream with their mail? For £15 you receive three tubs of ice cream, including their Coffee and olive oil flavour, or maybe even Basil chocolate chip. They do a vegan range too. Their online shops has a range of toppings too. Do it your way.
Three tiered ice cream cake, photo credit Ruby Violet
Ruby Violet, London
The team based in London produce really beautiful ice cream, desserts and cakes. The products on their website are stunning, They have an online shop but only for deliveries in certain parts of London. Notable flavours include Earl Grey tea, Lavender, and Lime and star anise. They also do vegan sorbets. They do have parlours around London. Honestly, I am a bit envious.
The Cowlick Creamery, Plymouth
This company do a great range of ice cream flavours, But that’s not why they’re featured in this list. It’s because they do an ice cream for dogs. Their doggie ice cream is specially formulated to be completely safe for them, made with no dairy. One flavour only - Peanut butter and banana - but provided in specially designed pots so they can reach every last drop. And the icing on the cake? A little doggie biscuit on top.
Ben & Bills, Maine
Anyone for lobster ice cream? I would probably try it, not sure I’d want a whole tub though. And you know if it’s from Maine then the lobster will be good. They make the ice cream with butter and fold in the lobster meat. It has been much reviewed and is one of their bestsellers in the summer season.
Big Gay Ice Cream, New York
Big, bold and brash. My kind of ice cream. These guys started out in an ice cream van and now have 5 shops in New York and 1 in Philadelphia. Their best seller is Salty Pimp, but my choice would be a Dorothy - vanilla ice cream injected with dulce de leche and rolled in wafer crumbs. Other treats include Shortberry Strawcake (yes, you read that right) and American Globs. Really, what is not to love?
Cheshire Farm, Tattenhall, Chester
I couldn’t do an ice cream list without mentioning a local company, who really make great ice cream. I admit I have indulged many times in Cheshire Farm ice cream. They have concession stands at attractions and shopping centres around the North West and supply a lot of restaurants too. My favourite flavour is the Honeycomb although I am also rather partial to their Turkish Delight too. The ice cream farm near Chester is a great day out for the whole family, and they boast the world largest ice cream parlour (by square footage) with over 50 flavours to choose from. What a conundrum.
-Lucy