Are you craving a delicious and creamy treat? Ice cream is the perfect way to cool down and satisfy your sweet tooth - but with many brands, you may be overwhelmed with the choice! Check out our top 12 picks of the best ice cream brands to get your scoop of deliciousness!
Whether consumed as a snack, dessert or treat, ice cream has remained a popular favourite among people of all ages. You have likely had a preferred ice cream brand since childhood. However, since ice cream generally tastes great, the real challenge is finding the best brand that stands out. To get the perfect mouth-watering experience, you need to find a brand that is creamy, flavourful, and of high quality. The ice cream has to be worth every penny! But how do you find such a brand? Worry not, for we have shortlisted the 12 best ice cream brands that offer the best flavours and creaminess on the market. Get ready for a mouth-watering experience as we explore the best ice cream brands in the market!
Table Of Contents
1. Smitten
If you are looking for the perfect, smooth and creamy ice cream, Smitten has something for everyone! Just by the packaging, you can tell Smitten stands out from the crowd. The key to achieving a luxuriously smooth texture is the innovative use of a liquid nitrogen super-cooling device developed in collaboration with a retired NASA engineer. This unique approach is utilised in crafting a range of delectable flavours, including Roasted Banana, Milk & Honey, Salted Caramel, and Classic Vanilla.
Key Features
- Liquid nitrogen technology
- High-quality ingredients
- Innovative flavours
2. Gifford's
Gifford's is one of the top-rated ice cream brands in the world — and for good reason! The ice cream is simple and combines classic flavours with inventive new ones. Gifford's also uses delicious recipes that will tantalise your taste buds. The ice cream comes in many flavours, including Banana Cream Pie, Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip and Camp Coffee· If you are looking for a delicious and unique ice cream experience, Gifford's is the brand for you.
Key Features
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Wide Range of Flavors
- Family-Owned and Operated
3. Coolhaus
Looking for a unique ice cream experience with imaginative flavours? Coolhaus is the brand for you! This award-winning brand has delighted ice cream lovers for years with its creative flavours and cutting-edge recipes. Coolhaus ice cream comes from Los Angeles and is now available in grocery stores across the US. Additionally, if you are looking for ice cream containing no dairy products, Coolhaus has you covered!
Key Features
- Creative and Unique Flavors
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Customisable and Fun Experience
4. Sassy Cow
Sassy Cow is one of the most popular U.S. ice cream brands. As you may have guessed from the name, Sassy Cow makes their ice cream from natural, fresh milk from their own herd of cows. The brand makes up to 70 flavours of ice cream, from traditional vanilla to innovative flavours like Salted Caramel Pecan. While you can find Sassy Cow ice cream at various locations throughout Wisconsin, it's well worth scheduling an in-person visit to experience their exceptional prices and unique opportunities, such as petting their adorable calves.
Key Features
- High-quality ingredients
- Variety of flavours
- Sustainable practices such as environmental sustainability
5. Graeter's
Graeter's is one of the oldest and most beloved ice cream brands. The brand was founded in 1870 and has thrived for over 150 years. What sets the brand apart from other brands is the flavour and texture of their ice cream - Graeter's introduces a new seasonal flavour every month that is so irresistible it could efficiently serve as a calendar if one can resist devouring it all in just a few days. So, if you are looking for the perfect indulgence for yourself or a special treat for your loved one, try Graeter's!
- The use of the French Pot Process
- High-Quality Ingredients
- Wide Range of Flavors
6. Frozen Farmer
Frozen Farmer is a perfect choice if you are looking for a brand with high regard for environmental sustainability and waste reduction! Frozen Farmer is quickly making a name for itself as a delicious and guilt-free dessert option, with their sorbets boasting just 70 to 80 calories per pint. Despite their low-calorie count, these sorbets are bursting with flavour, making them the perfect option for health-conscious individuals looking to indulge in a sweet treat.
Key Features
- Locally sourced ingredients
- Farm-to-freezer concept
- Innovative and unique flavours
7. Jeni's
If you are looking for a high-quality ice cream brand that is widely available and that also offers home delivery, Jeni's is the one for you. Jeni's ice cream takes customer convenience to the next level with its subscription-based model, the Pint Club. By signing up for this club, you'll receive a monthly delivery of four handpicked flavours, including their one-of-a-kind creations like Maple Soaked Pancakes, Banana Cream Pudding, and Frose Sorbet.
Key Features
- High-quality ingredients
- Unique and innovative flavours
- Commitment to sustainability
8. Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw is a source of truly unique flavours and creamy textures that will wow your taste buds. If you don't happen to live near one of Salt & Straw's many locations, don't fret! They offer nationwide delivery of any pint your heart desires. Additionally, Salt & Straw's Pints Club is an excellent option for those seeking a regular ice cream fix. By signing up for the club, you'll receive a monthly delivery of five rotating flavours straight to your doorstep.
Key Features
- Creative and Unique Flavors
- Use of High-Quality Ingredients
- Community Involvement
9. Van Leeuwen's
If you are a New Yorker, one of the tasty ice cream brands from the city that you must have heard of is Van Leeuwen's. While it's true that many ice cream brands offer a range of exciting flavours, Van Leeuwen takes it to the next level by offering truly extraordinary options. Some of their most notable flavours include Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Honeycomb, Royal Wedding Cake, and Earl Grey Tea, to name a few. Vegetarians will also fall in love with the brand's range of vegan ice creams.
Key Features
- High-quality ingredients
- Wide variety of flavours
- Commitment to sustainability
10. High Road
With wild flavours such as iced blueberry and banana split, High Road is quickly becoming one of the most talked about ice cream brands. With every scoop, you get a taste of the best the ice cream industry offers. High Road is experiencing rapid growth, having launched an expansion line called Helados La Neta in 2020 that features a collection of authentic Mexican flavours, as reported by the New York Times. In addition, Food Business News disclosed in 2018 that the company had acquired Ciao Bella Gelato, a New York-based gelato brand.
Key Features
- High-quality ingredients
- Unique and innovative flavours
- Attention to detail
11. Hood
Hood has produced some of the best ice creams for decades and is among the most popular brands. Hood continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation. It recently introduced a new line of ice cream flavours called New England Creamery, which features a higher cream-to-milk ratio resulting in a richer, creamier texture. This new line is a testament to Hood's dedication to enhancing the ice cream experience for its customers.
Key Features
- Premium Ingredients
- Variety of Flavors
- Commitment to Quality
12. Ample Hills
Ample Hills Creamery began its journey as a humble cart in Brooklyn, New York, and has since grown to become a renowned ice cream brand with brick-and-mortar stores located in California, New York, and New Jersey, in addition to being sold at various grocery stores. The brand is known for its innovation and attention to detail, making it one of the top contenders in the ice cream industry. Ample Hills provides a diverse range of delectable ice cream flavours that include Nectar of the Queens, made of honey cinnamon ice cream blended with baklava chunks, Kokomo, which boasts key lime pie ice cream complemented by graham cracker crust pieces; and The Munchies, featuring pretzel-flavoured ice cream with a mix of Ritz crackers, potato chips, pretzels, and M&Ms.
Key Features
- Unique and creative flavour offerings
- High-quality ingredients
- Strong brand identity and storytelling
- Engaging and interactive customer experiences
Bottom Line
There you go! With these 12 brands, you can rest assured that every scoop of ice cream you indulge in will be a sweet and creamy delight. Note that when it comes to ice cream, you must taste the product to fully appreciate its flavour - reading online reviews can only get you so far! So, grab a spoon, and get tasting!