There is nothing wrong with vanilla ice cream. It's classic, it's delicious, and there are those who will defend it to the death when someone says that vanilla is boring. But sometimes you need to mix it up—like with a little cannoli ice cream sandwich, perhaps? These four LA ice cream shops are churning out creative and downright delicious flavors this summer, leaving us with the very first-world problem of: which one do we start with?
Estée Lauder sundae at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: So what exactly is in this dessert, inspired by Estée Lauder's limited-edition Bronze Goddess perfume? Salted caramel ice cream, topped with fresh cherries poached in peach and orange flowers, toasted coconut and honey-whipped cream. We'd love to smell like that any day.
July berry series at Salt & Straw: Head ice cream maker Tyler Malek is always getting creative with his flavors (last month's fermentation series was a doozy), but for July, he's looking a little tame with straightforward berry options. Stop by any one of their locations (Larchmont, Studio City, Venice) for birthday cake & blackberries, strawberry with cilantro lime cheesecake, honey vinegar with raspberry fig cobbler, Meyer lemon buttermilk with blueberries, and Pacific Northwest wild-foraged berry sherbet.
Knead & Co. x Coolhaus "The Freddo": Coolhaus is no stranger to wacky collabs—earlier this month they teamed up with Hanjip for some Korean-inspired flavors—but their partnership with Knead & Co.'s Bruce Kalman and Marie Petulla is a little more palatable to the masses. Starting on July 4th, the Grand Central Market vendor will be offering "The Freddo," an ice cream sandwich featuring cannoli ice cream (ricotta and mascarpone ice cream with chunks of cannoli shells, chocolate flecks and orange zest), held between two chocolate chip cookies. The sandwich will also be sold at the Coolhaus' Culver City and Pasadena locations.
Summer flavors at McConnell's Fine Ice Creams: In honor of National Ice Cream month, McConnell's is rolling out their new summer flavors every Friday, starting on July 1 with pistachio amaretto, summer pie shake and Strawberry Barbara shake. Following every week after, you'll be able to pick up summer fruit cobbler ice cream (July 8), dark chocolate peanut butter (July 15), peach sorbet (July 22), and a not-yet-revealed secret flavor on July 29.
Want more ice cream inspiration? Keep cool this weekend at LA's best ice cream shops.