16 Unusual Ice Cream Flavors in the United States

If ice cream is top of mind for you in the summer — or year-round, as it is for about three-quarters of Americans (via YouGov) — chances are you’ve tried a few flavors in your time. Vanilla and chocolate might still land on top when people answer polls about their favorite, but that’s no reason to limit yourself. Novelty ice cream flavors keep the dessert exciting for experimental palates.

Regions across the U.S. are known for their signature scoop flavor, whether it’s made from a local fruit or delicacy, or the result of diverse cultural influences. Some of these flavors have been around forever, while others are culinary experiments with devoted followings. If you consider yourself an ice cream aficionado, there’s no doubt you need to find a way to taste as many as possible.

We’ve collected a list of some of the most uncommon and uniquely regional ice cream flavors from across the U.S. Some are slowly making their way to neighboring states and dessert menus, but for the most part, you’ll need to plan a tasting journey to try them all.

1. Sweet Corn (Illinois)

At first bite, sweet corn ice cream might seem like a joke — until it melts into your taste buds with a smooth, buttery finish. At shops like Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, sweet corn is often paired with blackberry sauce for a flavor that’s both nostalgic and surprisingly rich.

2. Lobster (Maine)

Only in New England would seafood find its way into dessert. Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium in Bar Harbor offers lobster ice cream made with real buttered chunks of lobster meat swirled into vanilla ice cream. It’s salty, sweet, and completely Maine.

3. Ube (California, Hawaii)

Ube, the vibrant purple yam from the Philippines, has taken trendy desserts by storm — and ice cream is no exception. Creamy with a subtle nuttiness, ube ice cream is popular at shops like Magnolia Bakery in Los Angeles and across Hawaii, where it reflects deep-rooted Filipino heritage.

4. Olive Oil (Oregon)

Portland’s famed Salt & Straw helped pioneer olive oil ice cream. This silky, savory-sweet treat uses local Oregon olive oil to give the ice cream a luxurious mouthfeel with grassy, slightly peppery undertones. Add a dash of sea salt and you’ve got a sophisticated dessert.

5. Cicada (Missouri)

This one’s not for the faint of heart. Every 13 or 17 years, the cicadas emerge, and one Missouri shop — Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream in Columbia — uses them to create a limited-run flavor. Yes, real candied cicadas are mixed into the scoop, coated in chocolate and sugar.

6. Cheddar Cheese (Wisconsin)

In cheese-loving Wisconsin, it’s no surprise that cheddar found its way into ice cream. Shops like Babcock Hall Dairy Store in Madison offer cheddar cheese ice cream that’s creamy with a sharp, tangy kick. Think of it as a cold, creamy cheese plate.

7. Garlic (California)

You’ll find this pungent treat at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, where garlic reigns supreme. Garlic ice cream — often served in both sweet and savory forms — has a surprisingly mellow, roasted flavor when prepared correctly. It’s an unexpected hit for those brave enough to try.

8. Avocado (Florida)

In places like Miami, avocado isn’t just for toast. Avocado ice cream is a staple in many Latin-American influenced ice cream shops like Azucar Ice Cream Company, where its naturally creamy texture makes for a rich, dairy-like treat. It’s refreshing and subtle — with just the right hint of savory.

9. Sour Cream & Chive (New York)

Ice cream doesn’t get more savory than this. At Max & Mina’s Ice Cream in Queens, known for its off-the-wall flavor experiments, sour cream & chive ice cream is on the menu. It’s basically a frozen baked potato topping — and it’s oddly satisfying.

10. Cajeta (Texas)

This rich Mexican caramel made from goat’s milk lends a toasty, almost nutty flavor to ice cream. In San Antonio, local ice creameries like Lick Honest Ice Creams feature cajeta in various forms, often blended with pecans or cinnamon for added Southern flair.

11. Persimmon (Indiana)

In southern Indiana, persimmon pudding is a classic dessert — so it makes sense that local shops like The Chocolate Moose serve up persimmon ice cream. Made from ripe American persimmons, the ice cream has a custardy, sweet, almost spiced flavor.

12. Balsamic Strawberry (California)

Strawberry ice cream gets a gourmet twist in Napa Valley, where balsamic vinegar is drizzled into the mix. At places like Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar, the tartness of the vinegar balances out the sweetness of ripe berries, creating a complex and refreshing scoop.

13. Wasabi (New York)

A punchy, sinus-clearing scoop awaits at ice cream shops that cater to sushi lovers. Il Laboratorio del Gelato in NYC offers wasabi ice cream, where the pungent root adds zing to the creamy base. It’s not spicy in the traditional sense — more of a sharp kick.

14. Huckleberry (Montana)

A close cousin to the blueberry, huckleberries are a big deal in Montana and the Pacific Northwest. Shops like Big Dipper Ice Cream in Missoula churn out huckleberry ice cream that’s sweet, tart, and intensely purple — with a flavor locals wait all year to enjoy.

15. Carrot Mango (Arizona)

In Phoenix, the desert heat inspires cool, tropical combinations like carrot mango. At Sweet Republic, this vibrant flavor is equal parts fruity and earthy. The mango adds brightness while the carrot keeps it grounded, almost like a frozen juice blend.

16. Blue Cheese and Pear (Vermont)

Leave it to Vermont — home of dairy royalty — to dream up blue cheese and pear ice cream. This flavor, often found in small artisan creameries, brings out the best of sweet and funky. The pear cuts through the richness, making it a dream for cheese plate lovers.