Ice cream always reigns supreme as the fave summer sweet treat of Americans, but still — 63% would rather enjoy it at home than go out.¹ The key to convincing them to skip the couch and head straight to your establishment? Bold, imaginative ideas — not standard sundaes.

Get creative — and savory — this summer with your scoops and watch how a fresh take on an old classic can hit the sweet spot guests will keep coming back for.

New Twists on Old Favorites

An icy root beer float quenches the nostalgia we all thirst for, but this season try elevating this classic with trending, popular soft drinks instead — or iced matcha, cold brew, or even herbal Italian sodas. For even more fun, offer a flight of mini floats. Drinks can be paired creatively with flavored ice creams, or just keep it classic across the board with a solid vanilla that'll keep the focus on the beverage.

 Nature’s Best Dairy® 12% Vanilla Premium Ice Cream has a higher butterfat content than standard varieties, delivering a creamy, full-bodied taste that can hold its own in carbonated beverages.

Another classic to elevate is the good ol' ice cream sandwich. No more soggy, spongy chocolate cake that sticks to your fingers. If you want to go homemade, try baking Roma® Sicilian Pistachio Cookies and sandwich honey-drizzled vanilla or even orange sherbet inside. Other ideas? Cornbread cookies with raspberry and candied jalapeño or Strawberry Milk Cookies filled with ice cream and rolled in fruity cereal. The more wacky, the more they'll be impossible to pass up — even for guests too full for dessert.

Go Global

Global tastes just keep on trending, especially among Gen Z and millenials. In fact, 70% of restaurant operators say they're seeing increased customer demand for global flavors.²

One interesting way this is showing up in ice cream is by using Mediterranean staples like a drizzle of quality Piancone® Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a sprinkle of sea salt on top or even a dusting of goat cheese. Magellan® has all the salted nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and seasonings you need to play with this flavor profile. Or go all in with a housemade Nature’s Best Dairy® Goat Cheese Ice Cream, swirled with honey or fig jam and roasted pistachios for a cone unlike no other.

Sweet heat is still a no-brainer combo — and you can get plenty of inspo south of the border with mango chili, pineapple tajin, or even a cool take on a Mexican Hot Chocolate. Sprinkle a light dusting of cayenne over scoops of Nature's Best Dairy Vanilla and Chocolate, then top with a few ¡Adelante!™ Plain and Cajeta-Filled Churros. They arrive frozen and include a signature cinnamon sugar packet sprinkle — morphing it into a turnkey product for operators.

Tangle with Texture

Texture is another huge grab for consumers right now — and as a bonus, crunchy, crackly toppings perform especially well on social media thanks to their ASMR appeal. A fun idea to get your staff involved? Host a sundae-making contest featuring ingredients from across the kitchen, then feature the winning creation as your flavor-of-the-month special.

• Crunchy: crushed salted pretzels, Magellan Candied Nuts, waffle cone pieces, churros, chocolatey candies

• Chewy: mochi, boba pearls, sour chewy candies, dried fruit, caramel bites, stroopwafels

• Crispy: cereal, Delancey Street Deli® Potato Chips, burnt sugar, sesame seeds, toasted coconut

• Cakey: brownie, Heritage Ovens® Cornbread, cookies, toasted breadcrumbs

• Creamy: soft cheeses, coconut creme, jam, nut butter, fudge swirl, pie filling, tahini

*Pro tip: combine an unconventional flavor with a familiar ice cream element to make the combo more palpable initially to the general public.

¹ International Dairy Foods Association

² Datassential