CONSUMERS SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

Ice cream is universally liked. According to the International Dairy Foods Association¹, Americans eat an estimated 19 pounds of ice cream each year, roughly 4 gallons. Talker Research’s survey² of 5,000 Americans, evenly split by state, revealed respondents love ice cream, scoring an 8.6/10 on average. Furthermore, almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) said ice cream is their all-time favorite dessert. The global ice cream market is projected to reach $109.24 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 5.54% between 2025-2030, according to Statista³. The U.S. ice cream market was valued at $19 billion last year, with an expected 2% growth forecast for 2025, per Mintel⁴. Innova Market Insights⁵ noted that dairy-based ice cream and frozen yogurt accounted for 93% of global launches in the past year, with a 6% rise. Given ice cream’s popularity, it’s not surprising it serves as a common medium for creative experimentation. Scott Rankin, chair and professor of the Department of Food Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says, “ice cream is the ideal blank slate for flavor innovation.”⁶ Ice cream innovation is driven by globally inspired flavors, unexpected collaborations, and the rise of bars and sandwiches.

SCOOP DU JOUR – GLOBAL INFLUENCE

The influence of global cuisines has trickled into ice cream. “Cultural fusion in ice cream blends traditional flavors from various global cuisines, resulting in unique combinations that reflect diverse culinary heritages,” states Jim McCormick of Toast⁷. The younger generation is driving innovation as they seek adventure and embrace new experiences. According to Barry Callebaut’s research⁸, 75% of global consumers seek new ice cream experiences. Instacart’s new Ice Cream Data Report⁹, revealed that American consumers are increasingly open to exploring more globally inspired flavors. Pineapple Coconut led year-over-year growth among ice cream flavors with a 37% increase in orders, followed by Pistachio (25%) and Green Tea (24%).

Fruit flavors combined with a touch of spice are popular. For example, Dr. Bombay Ice Cream by Snoop Dogg introduced Long Beach Fruit Cart, featuring mango sherbet and coconut ice cream, with a spiced mango swirl and pineapple chunks. Publix released a Limited-Edition Strawberry Lime Chilly ice cream that highlights strawberry flavored ice cream with salty lime flavored ribbons and chili lime flavored flakes. Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero ice cream is one of five flavors from Salt & Straw’s Berries Series.

On the savory side, brands are experimenting. Graeter’s Ice Cream rolled out a limited-edition Skyline Spice flavor in collaboration with Skyline Chili. The swicy blend featured Graeter’s French pot ice cream infused with Skyline’s signature spice mix and crunchy oyster crackers. In the UK, KFC and Hackney Gelato partnered on a limited-edition Gravy Gelato that combined KFC’s iconic gravy with creamy Italian-style gelato, featuring peppercorn and chicken notes. UK-based Banana Tree Southeast Asian restaurants launched a Soy Sauce Ice Cream served tableside. It is “a smooth vanilla base gently infused with soy sauce, swirled with a dark, umami-rich ripple, and served with an optional drizzle of extra soy sauce.”

From fruity and sweet to savory and spicy, Trilogy’s flavor chemists blend science, creativity, and culinary expertise to craft global flavors to satisfy generations and create unique experiences. Contact us or request samples today.

ICE CREAM COLLABS

According to Trendincite LLC¹⁰, iconic food and beverage brands are partnering with other existing consumer packaged goods to create fun, unexpected cross-promotions. Limited-edition ice cream collaborations have been trending with a variety of flavors. Per Innova Market Insights¹¹, North American consumers report being highly influenced by seasonal and limited-time offers, which feel exclusive and invite impulse buys. This season, from cosmetics to condiments to cocktails, several brands are collaborating on limited-edition ice cream products, many of which are offered at ice cream shops. For example, Kylie Jenner teamed up with Van Leeuwen on a limited-edition custom peach mango sorbet to celebrate the launch of Kylie Cosmetics’ new peach mango lip butter. Crayola and the Jel Sert Company partnered on a kid-created limited-edition Banana Mango freezer pop flavor in honor of the return of Crayola’s Dandelion color. New Orleans brand Crystal Hot Sauce collaborated with Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream on a limited-edition treat. The Crystal x Morgenstern sundae featured Brown Sugar Brown Butter Ice Cream topped with a homemade waffle, whipped cream, maple syrup, crispy crystal chicken skin, and a drizzle of Crystal Hot Sauce.

Alcohol-infused ice cream is trending. However, the latest focus is beer. Miller High Life and Tipsy Scoop co-created the Spaghett-sicle for a limited time. Inspired by the Spaghett cocktail, which is made with Miller High Life, Aperol liqueur, and lemon or lime juice. Reimagining the Aperol spritz, Miller High Life beer replaces Prosecco and combines lemon and a non-alcoholic apéritif with a 5% ABV, sold in six-packs. In partnership with Giada De Laurentiis and Tipsy Scoop, Italian beer brand Peroni Nastro Azzurro launched Peroni Italian Beer Ice with a 5% ABV.

Three brands – Maman, Alec’s Ice Cream, and Graza joined forces to serve New York City the Pistachio Drizzle Ice Cream Sandwich for a limited time. Two scoops of Alec’s x Graza Pistachio Crunch Ice Cream (Alec’s grass-fed regenerative A2/A2 dairy, Graza’s signature olive oil, dark chocolate flakes, and candied pistachios) are sandwiched between Maman’s pistachio croissant, topped with a drizzle of Graza olive oil. Similarly, Pop-Tarts and Los Angeles Chain Pop-Up reimagined Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches, inspired by two viral flavor trends. The Pop-Tarts Strawberry Matcha Ice Cream Sandwich combines Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry toaster pastries with matcha ice cream and a strawberry swirl, while the Pop-Tarts Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich showcases Pop-Tarts Frosted Chocolate Fudge toaster pastries and pistachio ice cream folded with toasted kadaifi and a tahini-chocolate swirl.

Calling all explorers. Let Trilogy Flavors be your co-creator on novel flavors. Contact us today and let Trilogy’s flavor chemists create fun and unexpected flavors to meet consumers’ demand for taste adventures.

THE RISE OF ICE CREAM BARS & SANDWICHES

Snacking comes in all forms, and consumers’ interest is not waning. Consumers gravitate to hand-held and portable snacks because they are convenient. Ice cream brands have noticed and are launching ice cream bars and sandwiches to capitalize on the format’s recent rise in popularity. “Snacking is a massive trend we see across many food categories, as people are looking for easy and delicious things to eat across their day. Over the past five years in the U.S., ice cream cones have clearly emerged as the fastest growing snack format in the ice cream category, outpacing the growth of other ice cream formats by three times,” notes Rachel Jaive, head of Häagen-Dazs Marketing¹². In addition, these formats enable brands to play with texture. Häagen-Dazs added Waffle Cones to its portfolio, providing “a complete textural experience, with a crispy, crunchy waffle cone complemented by the classic velvety, smooth ice cream with caramel, fudge or raspberry sauce at the bottom of the cone.” For the first time, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream launched J-Bars in four flavors: Chocolate Churros & Cream, Dark Chocolate Bombe, Passion Fruit Dreamsicle, and Vanilla Caramel Sundae. Pop-Tarts introduced Ice Cream Sandwiches at Walmart, available in Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Chocolate Fudge, and Strawberry varieties. Bubbies, the mochi ice cream brand, launched Mini Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches in two flavors: Key Lime Pie and Strawberry Shortcake. Similarly, My/Mochi introduced Mochi Ice Cream Sandwiches in Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream and Sugar Cookie, and Vanilla Mochi Ice Cream and Chocolate Chip Cookie varieties. England’s Doughlicious introduced Cookies & Cream exclusively through Gopuff. The new flavor is “rich velvety vanilla and crunchy chocolate cookie pieces of gelato bites wrapped in cookie dough.”

NOSTALGIC ICE CREAM FLAVORS MAKE THEIR WAY INTO F&B

Ice cream is a nostalgic treat because it connects us to childhood, summer, and happy memories. Brands are leveraging iconic ice cream flavors like orange cream and root beer float to create new food and beverage products. For example, Entenmann’s Pop’ems debuted a limited-edition Orange Cream Donut Holes, while Coca-Cola launched Coca-Cola Orange Cream and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Orange Cream sodas. A&W announced it will release a limited-edition Ice Cream Sundae soda flavor in August. The flavor “combines the classic taste of A&W Root Beer with the flavors of a classic ice cream sundae with notes of creamy vanilla and rich fudge,” and will be available in regular and zero sugar options. Premier Protein has reintroduced its limited edition Root Beer Float High Protein Shake that “blends cool, creamy vanilla ice cream flavor with nostalgic root beer taste.” Dunkin’ dropped a line of Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffees, “inspired by the melted edges of ice cream on a hot day, these frozen coffee beverages reinvent nostalgic scoop shop experiences with cooling flavors, whipped cream, drizzle, and crunchy waffle cone pieces.” The range includes Butter Pecan Frozen Coffee, Cookie Dough Frozen Coffee, and Mint Chocolate Chip Frozen Coffee. The Icee Company and Peeps created a Peeps-flavored Icee, which “has the unmistakable Marshmallow sweetness of Peeps.”

Trilogy Flavors understands the emotional draw of nostalgic flavors and has a library of iconic flavors that resonate with consumers. Travel back in time and contact us today to discuss your flavor needs and co-create a classic.

ICE CREAM IS A PLAYGROUND FOR INNOVATION

Ice cream is a playground for innovation and inspiration. As consumers continue to embrace global cuisines with new ingredients, expect new, globally inspired ice cream flavors focusing on savory and swicy directions. Unexpected collaborations across consumer packaged brands will continue to bring excitement and novelty to ice cream launches. Consumers want convenience and ice cream bars and sandwiches deliver an accessible snack format. Nostalgic ice cream flavors in other food and beverages offer a treat for consumers who crave comfort. Expect the unexpected and watch as ice cream continues to melt consumers’ hearts.

The sky is the limit on creativity. Trilogy Flavors creates innovative, tasty, and distinct flavors. Contact us today and request your samples here.

SOURCES: