In the mood for something that’s not so vanilla? Switch up your ice cream order with these wacky flavors throughout the 914.
A cup of sweet ice cream is a favorite dessert for most of us, but, if you’re adventurous, you might be bored of the standard choices. As delicious as vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry can be, there is a wide variety of other flavors out there to try. From Black Sesame and Fig and Walnut to Jamaican Rum Raisin and Banana Bread, there’s a kooky scoop waiting for you at one of these nine cool Westchester spots.
19 N Salem Rd, Cross River; 203.788.8099
The unexpected, wacky flavors at this Cross River establishment will send your taste buds soaring. The ice cream is made in small batches from all-natural ingredients and, with the exception of everyday flavors, there’s a rotating list of interesting seasonal favorites like Peppermint Mocha, made with a blend of Stumptown coffee, chocolate, and a splash of peppermint; Chocolate Mandarin Orange, which tastes just like the British chocolate; plus Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Vegan Horchata, Banana Bread, Captain Lawrence Stout, and Almond Macaroon.
121 Maple St, Croton-on-Hudson; 914.271.3850
At Blue Pig, the dairy, seasonal fruit, fresh herbs, coffee, and spices are sourced from local farms and even the shop’s own rooftop garden. The result: pure, distinct notes in every spoonful. With rotating flavors, this scoop shop makes some of the most attention-grabbing options around. Swing by for a taste of Black Sesame, Goat Cheese with Berry Sauce, Basil Mojito sorbet, Maple with Cinnamon Toasted Walnuts, or Fluffernutter.
Related: Where to Get Ice Cream in Westchester Right Now
10 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; 914.481.5712
This Port Chester gem makes ice cream in small batches with quality ingredients, and the effort shines through. It’s easy to get your wacky ice cream here, with out-of-the-ordinary flavors like Frosted Animal Cracker (vanilla frosting ice cream with crushed animal crackers and sprinkles mixed in) or Holy Cannoli (homemade ricotta ice cream base with crunchy cannoli shells, chunks of dark chocolate, and roasted pistachios), in addition to seasonal favorites like Sweet Cream with Leftover Candy or Girl Scout Samoa Cookie. Don’t forget to top your treat off with torched homemade Italian meringue!
1099 N Division St, Peekskill; 914.788.1450
This unassuming Peekskill shop offers an array of Peruvian-influenced ice cream flavors. The most talked about delicacy is Lucuma, which is a native fruit and has an undercurrent of maple in it. There’s also Algarobbina, which is made from the syrup of a black carob tree and has hints of chocolate, as well as Soursop, Chirimoya, and Passion Fruit.
408 East Sanford Blvd, Mt. Vernon; 914.699.1349
Ice Cream Factory prides itself with offering Caribbean-inspired choices, like Jamaican Rum Raisin and Soursop, but the signature scoop at this Mt. Vernon mainstay is the “Grape-Nutt,” which comes in a variety of flavors such as Pistachio, Eggnog, and Peach, along with soy- and sugar-free versions, as well.
40 N Broadway, Yonkers; 914.801.4604
One of the things that makes the recently opened Lost Borough Ice Cream unique is its commitment to wacky ice cream flavors. The menu includes the likes of Fig and Walnut, Lavender with Candied Walnuts, and Vanilla Chamomile, though there’s no shame in going classic with plain old vanilla, too. Owner Patrick Cruz recommends stopping by to sample some of the off-the-menu choices, like Chocolate Chili, which gets a double kick from both chili powder and Da’Bomb hot sauce.
35 Main St, Tarrytown; 914.332.5757
If it’s quality, homemade ice cream in unconventional flavors you desire, look no further than this family-owned shop in Tarrytown. It has gravitated well beyond simple vanilla and chocolate toward drool-inducing concoctions like Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Espresso Nugget (strong coffee ice cream with chocolate-covered espresso candy mixed in), and Devin’s Dream (vanilla ice cream, Reese’s Pieces, white chocolate, chocolate-covered almonds, and Heath Bar).
580 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson; 914.525.1580
Handmade, locally-sourced ice cream with sustainable ingredients is the calling card at this popular Hastings ice cream shop. Have flavor fatigue? While Penny Lick offers amazing basics, it also offers unusual options such as White Bourbon Caramel or Lemon Bar in addition to seasonal faves like Floral Lavender and Apple Butter. And anyone can eat safely because the shop has adopted a policy of no nuts or products with any nut contamination.
32 Broadway, Valhalla; 914.421.1300
This sweet ice cream shop opened eight years ago and has been inspiring lines of fans ever since. The 35 options on the menu offer up something for everyone, including those searching for wacky ice cream flavors like Bananas Foster (bananas cooked in butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar topped off with dark rum and banana liquor), Let’s Do Brunch (maple-syrup-flavored ice cream with pieces of bacon and cinnamon French toast), Captain Crunchberry (vanilla ice cream with Cap’n Crunchberries), or Cookie Monster Meets Peanut Butter Cup (vanilla-based ice cream with Chips Ahoy cookies, Oreos, brownie bites, cookie dough, and peanut butter cups).
