National Ice Cream Day: Best Scoops in Boston
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How to Celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday
Students offer up 10 best scoops near campus
Americans have been besotted with ice cream since it was first introduced in the mid 18th century. Today we consume more ice cream—approximately 1.58 billion gallons—than any other country, with the average person lapping up an average of 23 pounds of the frozen treat each year.
July has been designated as National Ice Cream Month since 1984, and Sunday, July 18, is National Ice Cream Day, with chains and companies like Friendly’s, Baskin Robbins, and GoPuff offering special deals. And last month, Food & Wine listed two Cambridge places, Toscanini’s and Christina’s Homemade Ice Cream, as having the best ice cream in Massachusetts.
BU Today asked students for help in compiling a list of the 10 best Boston area ice cream places—and lucky for us, and you, many are conveniently near campus. Below are their suggestions, with our recommended pick from each. Most specialize in dairy offerings, but we’ve noted those that have nondairy and vegan options. So, whether you prefer ice cream in a dish or a cone, doused with sprinkles or butterscotch—or nothing at all—celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a few scoops of your favorite flavor—or try something new.
1
Emack & Bolios
Nearly three dozen flavors of ice cream, along with an assortment of frozen yogurts and sorbets—and don’t forget to try their cereal cones.
Must try: Salted Caramel Chocolate Pretzel—caramel ice cream, a salted caramel swirl, and chunks of chocolate-covered pretzels
2
JP Licks
Dozens of flavors and a rotating list of monthly selections, as well as hard- and soft-serve yogurt and a few lactose-free ice creams.
Must try: Raspberry Mango Sundae—vanilla ice cream topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream
3
Ben & Jerry’s
More than 60 flavors, with nondairy and frozen yogurt options.
Must try: Milk and Cookies—vanilla ice cream with a chocolate cookie swirl and chocolate chip and chocolate chocolate chip cookies
4
FoMu
Vegan ice cream made mostly with coconut milk and a blend of organic natural sweeteners.
Must try: Key Lime—fresh vegan lime ice cream, marshmallows, and graham crackers
5
Cold Stone Creamery
Known for its design-your-own and signature creations, with low-fat options and lactose-free sorbet available.
Must try: Birthday Cake Remix—cake batter ice cream, brownie pieces, fudge, and rainbow sprinkles
6
Il Gelato
Ice cream the Italian way: a dozen mouth-watering gelatos, plus a half-dozen sorbets.
Must try: Caramello al Sale—salted caramel gelato
7
Cafe 472
This café serves a giant swirl of frozen yogurt: choose from a vanilla, chocolate, sugar-free vanilla, or tofu (vegan) base frozen yogurt and customize it with your choice of flavorings and toppings.
Must try: Vanilla base frozen yogurt with green tea flavor.
8
Toscanini’s
At any one time, 32 flavors on offer, free samples available.
Must try: B3—brown sugar, brown butter, and brownies
9
Amorino
Italian gelatos and sorbets made with carefully sourced ingredients; don’t forget to add a macaron on top.
Must try: Stracciatella—a typical Italian ice cream with fior di latte ribbons and crisp dark chocolate flakes
10
Insomnia Cookies
Open til 3 am daily for those late-night cravings.
Must try: Cookiewich—choice of cookie and ice cream.
Have recommendations for other ice cream places? List them in the Comment section below.
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