The A-to-Z Dairy-Free Ice Cream Guide: Flavors, Shops, and Trends You Need to Know

You scream, I scream, we all scream … for über-creamy scoops, thick milkshakes with more mix-ins and coconut whipped cream than we could dream of, and gelato so velvety and dense that just a spoonful is enough (if you have enough restraint to resist temptation, that is).

The world of vegan ice cream is so vast that VegNews editors embarked on an all-encompassing guide to our very favorite pints, scoop shops, and movers and shakers to give you all the creamy, dreamy inspiration for the sweetest summer ever. So get your spoons—or waffle cones—ready, because we’re about to give you the scoop.

Awan Ice Cream

A is for Asian Flavors

Between all things chili crunch to ube everything, one thing is clear: Asian flavors are in high demand. And it’s no different in ice cream shops. In Honolulu, HI’s Chinatown, Wing Ice Cream is serving up irresistible tom kha, pineapple-Thai basil, and yuzu-cardamom scoops. A few miles away, all-vegan Niu Soft Serve Parlour wows with coconut-based pandan and Thai tea swirls topped with condensed milk. In West Hollywood, CA, Indonesian ice cream window Awan transforms coconut cream into an array of flavors like dragon fruit and Balinese vanilla-aonori seaweed. And in Austin, TX, Gati starts off with a coconut milk base to create stunning flavors including the innovative, cold brew-infused Thai Coffee and Ceylon Cinnamon Chip.

Ben & Jerry’s

B is for Ben & Jerry’s

The VegNews staff has tried every non-dairy Ben & Jerry’s flavor there is, and a taste of all that variety has only left us imagining and craving more. So we tasked our editors with becoming a Flavor Guru for a day to concoct their perfect pint. Ben, Jerry—feel free to reach out to discuss how quickly we can get these to market.

Bark, Bark, Bite

Base flavor: Chocolate
Swirl: Cherry jam
Mix-in: Dark chocolate and white chocolate bark
“I’m a texture lover, and a mix of two different barks with a velvety cherry jam would have me digging to the bottom of the pint every time.” —Anna Starostinetskaya, Senior News Editor

Beeyoncé Swirl

Base flavor: Cinnamon
Swirl: Mellody’s bee-free hot honey
Mix-in: Chunks of caramelized Texan pecans
“This would be the perfect celebration of the Texas native—sit back and enjoy this pint with a glass of SirDavis whiskey.” —Jill Ettinger, Director of Digital Strategy

Smooth But Nutty

Base flavor: Pistachio
Swirl: Pistachio butter and caramel
Mix-in: Sesame brittle
“We can all try and be as smooth as possible, but we’re all a little nutty at the same time. This pint would normalize that, deliciously.” —Richard Bowie, Editorial Director

Sugar Spell Scoops

C is for Cake

Nothing screams nostalgia like ice cream cake. And thankfully, nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh, PA, Amanda Burk’s Sugar Spell Scoops is making magic to veganize this timeless treat. Try a slice of her Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake with chocolate Ripple ice cream filled with fudge and layered with whipped cream, buttercream, and a peanut butter chocolate magic shell drip. Or sink your fork into the dreamy Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake with strawberry and chocolate ice cream, chocolate ganache, cookie “dirt,” pretty pink whipped cream, and chocolate frosting topped with sprinkles and a chocolate-covered strawberry. Talk about having your ice cream cake and eating it, too.

Donut Friend

D is for Doughnut & Ice Cream Shops

When the universe puts hybrid doughnut-and-ice cream shops in your path, don’t overthink, just accept the blessings. In Sacramento, CA, Babes Ice Cream & Donuts specializes in filled glutenfree doughnut holes (think Nutella, raspberry jelly, lemon curd) along with fun scoops like blueberry cobbler and tiramisu. Down in Fort Worth, TX, head to Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops for a perfectly Southern Peach Fritter with a swirl of Oatly soft serve on top. And at Los Angeles’ punk-pop inspired Donut Friend, worlds collide with the Taking Back Sundae, which sees a classic raised split open and filled with doughnut-inspired ice cream scoops, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and more.

E is for Erewhon

And speaking of Los Angeles, there’s perhaps no more TikTok’ed destination in the City of Angels right now than Erewhon. The 10-store, ultra-upscale grocery chain is a favorite among celebs and notorious for its lavish selection and even more lavish prices. If on your next trip to Los Angeles you find yourself succumbing to the allure, know that you can at least treat yourself to some vegan soft-serve … you just need to decide how much you want to spend.

The Budget-Conscious But Creamy Way

Cosmic Bliss’ coconut milk-vanilla bean soft serve with a complimentary mango, lemon-blueberry, strawberry, or superfood chocolate glaze
$9.50

The Hailey Bieber Way

Strawberry-infused Cosmic Bliss soft serve with a smear of natural peanut butter, strawberry glaze, no-sugar-added keto chocolate chips, and coconut whip
$12.50

The Maxed-Out Health Nut Way

Coconut vanilla bean soft serve with the maximum 10 toppings such as: lemon-blueberry glaze, hemp seeds, goji berries, young coconut, almonds, cashews, walnuts, blueberries, cacao nibs, and organic vegan granola—plus extra superfood caramel glaze and a shot of matcha
$26.50

F is for Fantasy Floats

We’ll just say what everyone’s thinking: root beer has had its day in the sun, and we’re ready for more from our floats. And with the wealth of fizzy and creamy options we have at our disposal, it’s time to get creative.

Tea Time

Pressed Juicery’s matcha ice cream + Rishi’s sparkling botanical jasmine tea

Next-Level Banana Cream Pie

Oatly’s salted caramel ice cream + Olipop’s Banana Cream prebiotic soda + whipped cream + graham cracker crumbs

Let’s Cheers

Gelato Boy’s strawberry sorbet + Mionetto Prosecco Rosé + edible glitter

G is for Garbanzos

For an extra-creamy milkshake guaranteed to make your tastebuds sing, reach for a can of … chickpeas? The culinarians at The Hummus & Pita Co. (which boasts locations in Connecticut, New York, and Michigan) are reimagining classic milkshakes sans added sugar or dairy. These Chickpea Chillers all start with five base ingredients—chickpeas, tahini, dates, almond milk, and bananas—before flavor boosters (like almond syrups and, come fall, pumpkin purée) are added into the mix. You can choose between Original, Pistachio, Butter Pecan, Strawberry, Chocolate, Toasted Almond, and Cold Brew for a thick and creamy sip that packs a punch of protein to boot.

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