Beyond Vanilla, 13 Unique Ice Cream Flavours To Try This Summer

Tired of vanilla? Here’s 13 unique ice cream flavours to try this summer – from global inspirations to floral notes and wild scoops like curry & chocolate and even Brussels sprout!

As spring bursts into full bloom — with daffodils waving us goodbye and the days growing just that little bit longer — there’s no denying that summer is tiptoeing closer. The air may still be carrying a chill, but there’s a promise in the breeze… and for many of us, that means one glorious thing – ice cream season is nearly here!

Now, don’t get me wrong — I’ve got all the love in the world for a scoop of classic vanilla.

It’s the flavour of childhood walks, first cones of the season, and those magical soft-serves from the local ice cream van. But sometimes? You just need something a bit more daring.

If your taste buds are calling for something bold, a little exotic, or just plain fun, we’ve got just the scoop (or 13!) to shake up your ice cream menu.

From floral to fruity, spiced to totally unexpected — these are the flavours that go beyond vanilla and bring a bit of adventure to your summer dessert bowl.

A Traditional Twist – Classics with a Modern Makeover

We’ve listed some crowd-pleasers and nostalgic favourites in our articles – Ice Cream Flavours to Make Your Taste Buds Tingle! and What is the Most Popular Ice Cream Flavour? — from the comforting joy of mint choc chip and pistachio perfection to the timeless allure of vanilla. But sometimes, the most memorable scoops are the ones that break all the rules…

Before we get into our most unexpected and rule-breaking ice cream ideas, it’s worth remembering that wild and wonderful flavours aren’t just a trend — they’re a global phenomenon!

From chewy Turkish dondurma to the spaghetti-like scoops of Germany’s Spaghettieis, ice cream has taken on many imaginative forms worldwide.

If you’re curious to explore even more international styles and flavours, check out our article – The Coolest Ice Cream Styles From Around The World

13 Unique Ice Cream Flavours To Try This Summer

Let’s ease into our unique selection with some flavours that feel familiar… just with a little flair.

Salted Caramel Vanilla

Think of this as vanilla’s grown-up cousin — rich, creamy, with that glorious salty-sweet swirl that elevates every bite. It’s the “I’m not boring, I’m just refined” kind of flavour.

👉🏽 Check out our full recipe and step-by-step guide here, along with a recipe to make your own salted caramel sauce – A Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe – Frosted Fusions

Mint Choco Swirl (After Eight Mints Style)

Not your standard mint choc chip. Picture silky peppermint ice cream marbled with thick dark chocolate ribbons. It’s fresh, cool, and absolutely dreamy.

👉🏽 Check out our full recipe and step-by-step guide here – After Eight Chocolate Mint Homemade Ice Cream

These aren’t outrageous by any stretch, but they do offer a gentle nudge toward something more exciting. Perfect for anyone looking to branch out… without leaving their comfort zone entirely.

Global Flavours – Travel the World by the Scoop

Ice cream has gone global — and thank goodness for that!

From tea ceremonies in Tokyo to beachside stalls in Thailand, the world has some seriously scoopable ideas.

Matcha (Japan)

Earthy, creamy, just a little bitter — matcha brings the calming vibes of green tea to your cone. Subtle, soothing, and surprisingly addictive.

👉🏽 Check out our full recipe and step-by-step guide here – Homemade Matcha Ice Cream Recipe – A Taste Of Japan

Thai Coconut Sticky Rice

Sweet coconut cream, a hint of pandan, and a chewy swirl of sticky rice? It’s basically dessert and comfort food rolled into one. A must-try if you’re a fan of creamy tropical flavours.

👉🏽 Check out our full recipe and step-by-step guide here – Celebrate Songkran With A Thai-Inspired Coconut & Mango Ice Cream

Rose & Pistachio (Middle East)

Floral rose water paired with nutty, buttery pistachio — this one tastes as elegant as it sounds. A beautiful way to try something both fragrant and rich.

These internationally inspired flavours aren’t just tasty — they’re little cultural snapshots in a cone. And with more artisanal ice cream shops offering globally influenced scoops, it’s never been easier to taste your way across continents.

Floral & Fruity – Nature’s Sweet Side

If you’re after something a bit lighter, fresher, and dare I say, romantic… these floral and fruity flavours are pure joy.

Rose Petal

Delicate, fragrant, and subtly sweet. It’s like eating a summer breeze (without actually eating flowers, of course).

Lavender & Honey

Dreamy and calming, this is the flavour equivalent of a gentle exhale after a long day. Slightly herbal, perfectly sweet.

👉🏽 Check out our full recipe and step-by-step guide here – Lavender and Honey Ice Cream – A Unique and Fragrant Fusion

Lychee

This tropical beauty is juicy, floral, and gorgeously refreshing — a hidden gem of the ice cream world.

Passionfruit

Tart, tangy, and zingy — perfect for cutting through creamy bases with a hit of summer brightness.

If you’re in the mood for something that’s light, lovely, and a little unexpected, floral and fruity is the way to go. They’re also fabulous paired with simple shortbread or served alongside fresh fruit for an elevated summer dessert.

👉🏽 Check out our full recipe and step-by-step guide here – Passion Fruit Sorbet Recipe

A Scoop of Fun – Flavours That Break All the Rules

Time to really shake things up. These flavours aren’t just unique — they’re cheeky, playful, and guaranteed conversation starters.

Curry & Chocolate

Yep, really. The warming spices of curry powder with the richness of dark chocolate? Sounds wild, but tastes amazing. A savoury-sweet fusion of flavours!

👉🏽 Head over to our article – Unique Homemade Ice Cream Recipes – Deliciously Curious Creations – to see details on our Curry Coconut Ice Cream Recipe!

Avocado

Silky, creamy, and strangely addictive. Think of it as your healthy-ish ice cream moment — subtle in flavour, bold in texture.

👉🏽 Check out our full recipe and step-by-step guide here – A Creamy Avocado Ice Cream Recipe

Black Sesame

Nutty, earthy, and oh-so-stylish. This one’s a favourite in Japan and Korea, and it’s starting to pop up on menus in the UK too.

And of course, we couldn’t talk about wild flavours without mentioning the most unexpected scoop of all…

Brussels Sprout Ice Cream

Yes, you read that right! It’s creamy, green, and surprisingly gourmet. If you’re curious about how we turned this love-it-or-hate-it vegetable into a frozen showstopper. You can read our full article, linked below.

👉🏽 Check out the full scoop here – Brussels Sprout Ice Cream – The Next Gourmet Sensation

Whimsical, weird, and absolutely worth trying — these flavours might sound left-field, but once you give them a go, you might just fall in love with their quirky charm.

No Ice Cream Maker? No Problem

👉🏽 Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make all of these recipes;

Simply pour your ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How to Make Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.

👉🏽 Don’t have an ice cream maker, but thinking about buying one? Not sure which one would suit you best? Head over to our article – What is the Best Ice Cream Maker? A Detailed Review. This provides information and guidance on what you want to look for in an ice cream maker and reviews a selection of appliances.

Final Scoop – Ready to Scoop Outside the Box?

Let’s make this the summer we dare to go beyond vanilla (just for a bit).

Whether you’re flirting with floral notes, tempted by tropical twists, or feeling brave enough for Brussels sprouts, there’s a whole world of flavours out there waiting to be churned, swirled, and scooped.

Some will wow you, some might weird you out a little… but all of them promise an ice cream experience to remember.

Who knows… your creation might just be the next big thing!

👉🏽 Have you tried any unusual flavours lately? Is there one on this list that’s calling your name? Or do you have a wild flavour you think the world needs to know about?

Share your wildest (or weirdest!) ice cream adventures in the comments below — or tag us on socials. We’d love to see what you’re scooping this summer!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Beyond Vanilla, 13 Unique Ice Cream Flavours To Try This Summer – and that we have inspired you to give some of these unique but delicious ice cream recipes a try. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.

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