Beyond Vanilla: 10 Cool DC Ice Cream Flavors
By Katie Bascuas
Gone are the days of simply chocolate and vanilla ice cream flavors. While they are classic stand-bys, there are infinitely more flavor combinations for summer’s favorite dessert.
And many of the ice cream, gelato and frozen yogurt shops in DC, Maryland and Virginia are picking up on this trend with a variety of unique flavors.
Some places are incorporating spices like cardamom and saffron, which are often used in savory cooking, into sweet ice cream and gelato concoctions. Other places are reconstituting popular drinks and desserts — how about eating your mojito?
If you're looking to broaden your dessert repertoire and tease your palate with unique flavor combinations, try one of these unusual frozen treats:
• Cardamom, a spice commonly used in Asian cooking, gives sweet cream gelato an aromatic flavor at Pitango Gelato. Multiple locations
• Mozambique at Max’s Best Homemade Ice Cream in Glover Park takes cinnamon ice cream a step further with the additions of nutmeg and cloves. 2416 Wisconsin Ave. NW
• Saffron, the expensive spice that comes from the crocus flower, is just one of the many exotic ice cream flavors at York Castle Tropical Ice Cream in Silver Spring. This ice cream café also features flavors that include fruits from around the world — flavors like lychee, lucuma and mamey sapote. 9324 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
• Ube, which is a purple yam native to the Philippines, is used to flavor ice cream at Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream in Arlington. Because of the cost of the ube, Toby’s makes this particular flavor in quart or gallon sizes only. 5849A Washington Blvd., Arlington
• Sea salt gelato at Dolcezza is a salty-sweet pairing of cream-based gelato and sea salt. The artisanal gelateria offers other unique flavors like cucumber tarragon gin, Mexican coffee and strawberry tequila. Multiple locations
• Pineapple basil gelato at Boccato in Clarendon is just one of the store’s more than 200 flavors and is a refreshingly sweet combination. 2719 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
• Mojito, or joe maher-ito as it is labeled on the menu at Mr. Yogato, is a take on the lime and mint-infused Cuban cocktail. Mr. Yogato offers more than just unusual frozen yogurt flavors and mix-ins — this cheery and fun fro yo shop also allows customers to compete for discounts on their yogurt by answering trivia questions. 1515 17th St. NW
• Pina colada-flavored ice cream at Lazy Sundae in Falls Church incorporates pineapple pieces into a coconut-base to recreate the popular tropical drink. 110 North West St., Falls Church
• Tiramisu ice cream at Thomas Sweet Ice Cream in Georgetown is a blend of cinnamon, coffee-flavored liquor and cocoa powder. Pair this treat with an Italian coffee and you will be transported to a Roman café. 3214 P St. NW
• Summer pudding at The Dairy Godmother is a custard combination that mimics the English trifle dessert. It features strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and chunks of angel food cake. 2310 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Katie Bascuas has lived in D.C. for the past year and a half, and when she isn’t working or traveling, she loves exploring new restaurants, farmers markets and bars in the city. A graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, Katie also enjoys writing about food and is excited to be contributing to Metrocurean.
Katie Bascuas has lived in D.C. for the past year and a half, and when she isn’t working or traveling, she loves exploring new restaurants, farmers markets and bars in the city. A graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, Katie also enjoys writing about food and is excited to be contributing to Metrocurean.