Celebrate Chinese New Year With Lucky Ice Cream Flavours

Last Updated on February 21, 2025 by Cherie

Celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 with lucky ice cream flavours! From mandarin & honey to black sesame & peanut, these recipes honour tradition with a sweet twist.

A Sweet Tribute to Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a time of celebration, renewal, and tradition. Families gather, feasts are shared, and lucky foods are enjoyed to usher in good fortune, health, and happiness for the year ahead. Inspired by this rich tradition, we’re paying homage to Chinese New Year in our own way—through ice cream!

In this article, we explore lucky Chinese ingredients and the flavour profiles that define Chinese cuisine, transforming them into ice cream recipes that honour tradition with a modern twist.

From mandarin & honey (a symbol of prosperity) to black sesame & peanut (linked to longevity and wealth), these unique flavours capture the essence of Chinese New Year in every scoop.

If you’d like to go straight to our recipes, please use the following link, or read along to find out more.

What is Chinese New Year?

A Festival That Moves with the Moon

Unlike Western New Year (1st January), Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar and shifts each year according to the lunar cycle.

The 2025 Chinese New Year begins on 29th January, welcoming the Year of the Snake, a zodiac sign associated with wisdom, transformation, and intuition. The celebrations last for 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.

Traditions include reunion dinners, red envelopes (hóngbāo), dragon dances, and firecrackers—all symbolising prosperity and warding off bad luck. Food plays a major role, with certain ingredients believed to bring fortune and happiness.

The Flavours of China & The Meaning of ‘Lucky’

Chinese cuisine is all about balance—the interplay of sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and umami creates deeply layered flavours. Many ingredients are also linked to symbolic meanings:

• Mandarins & Oranges – Symbolise prosperity and good luck
• Black Sesame & Peanuts – Represent longevity and wealth
• Red Beans – Associated with happiness and good fortune
• Jasmine Tea – Represents harmony and purity
• Sticky Rice – Symbolises family togetherness
• Lychee & Rose – Connected to love and strong family ties
• Five-Spice – Represents the five elements of Chinese philosophy

By incorporating these lucky flavours into ice cream, we celebrate the essence of Chinese New Year while offering a playful, modern take on these classic ingredients.

Lucky Ice Cream Recipes

Now that we’ve explained some of the symbolic meanings behind key Chinese ingredients, it’s time to bring those flavours to life in the form of delicious homemade ice cream.

Below we’ve shared a handful of Chinese-inspired Homemade Ice Cream recipes. Each recipe pays homage to Chinese New Year traditions, incorporating ingredients that represent prosperity, longevity, happiness, and harmony.

Here are five lucky ice cream recipes, each inspired by Chinese culinary heritage—perfect for celebrating the Lunar New Year in a uniquely sweet way!

Mandarin & Honey Ice Cream

Inspiration & Flavour Profile

Mandarins (or tangerines) are one of the most important symbols of prosperity in Chinese New Year celebrations. Their golden colour represents wealth and good fortune, and they’re often exchanged as gifts to bring luck and happiness. Honey, another ingredient associated with abundance, adds a natural floral sweetness to balance the citrusy brightness.

This ice cream is vibrant, refreshing, and delicately sweet, with the zesty aroma of fresh mandarins complemented by smooth, golden honey. It’s a light yet creamy flavour that perfectly embodies the joy and optimism of the Lunar New Year.

Ingredients

• 400ml double cream
• 250ml whole milk
• 150g granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• Zest of 2 mandarins
• Juice of 1 mandarin
• 2 tbsp runny honey

Method

1. Heat the milk and cream over low heat until warm.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale.
3. Slowly pour the warm liquid into the eggs, whisking constantly.
4. Return to heat, stirring until thickened.
5. Remove from heat, stir in mandarin zest, juice, and honey.
6. Cool completely, churn in an ice cream maker, and freeze for 4+ hours. ** See note below**

Nutritional Values (Per Serving ~100g)

• Calories: 260 kcal | Fat: 18g | Carbohydrates: 22g | Sugar: 19g | Protein: 4g

Additional Toppings

• Candied orange peel – Enhances the citrus notes
• Crushed fortune cookies – Adds crunch and a festive touch

Black Sesame & Peanut Ice Cream

Inspiration & Flavour Profile

Black sesame and peanuts are deeply rooted in Chinese cuisine, appearing in traditional desserts like black sesame soup (芝麻糊) and peanut-filled tangyuan (glutinous rice balls). Both ingredients symbolise longevity and prosperity, making them popular choices for Chinese New Year celebrations.

Flavour-wise, this ice cream is rich, nutty, and slightly toasty, with a depth reminiscent of dark chocolate. The black sesame paste provides an earthy intensity, while crushed peanuts add texture and a subtle sweetness. It’s a creamy, indulgent dessert with a sophisticated, umami-rich flavour.

Ingredients

• 350ml double cream
• 250ml whole milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• 120g sugar
• 3 tbsp black sesame paste
• 50g crushed peanuts

Method

1. Heat the milk and cream.
2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then slowly combine with the warm liquid.
3. Cook over low heat until thickened, then stir in black sesame paste.
4. Cool, churn, fold in crushed peanuts, and freeze. ** See note below**

Nutritional Values

• Calories: 270 kcal | Fat: 20g | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g

Additional Toppings

• Toasted sesame brittle – Adds crunch
• Honey drizzle – Balances the nutty richness

Lychee & Rose Ice Cream

Inspiration & Flavour Profile

Lychee is sweet, floral, and slightly tart, making it an ideal pairing for delicate rose water. Both lychee and rose are associated with love, beauty, and strong family ties, which makes this flavour perfect for Chinese New Year celebrations. The result is an elegant, subtly perfumed ice cream with a luxurious, creamy texture.

Ingredients

• 400ml double cream
• 250ml whole milk
• 150g granulated sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 250g fresh lychees (or canned, drained)
• 1 tbsp rose water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Prepare the lychees – If using fresh lychees, peel and remove seeds. Blend until smooth. Strain to remove excess pulp.
2. Heat the cream & milk – In a saucepan, gently heat the double cream and milk until warm (don’t boil).
3. Whisk eggs & sugar – In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale.
4. Combine & thicken – Slowly pour the warm liquid into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return to low heat, stirring until thickened.
5. Add lychee & rose – Remove from heat and mix in the strained lychee puree, rose water, and vanilla extract.
6. Chill & churn – Cool completely, refrigerate for 4 hours, then churn in an ice cream maker. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving. ** See note below**

Nutritional Values (Per Serving ~100g)

• Calories: 250 kcal | Fat: 17g | Carbohydrates: 22g | Sugar: 19g | Protein: 3g

Additional Toppings & Pairings

• White chocolate shavings – Enhances the floral and creamy notes.
• Rose syrup drizzle – Adds a stronger aromatic touch.
• Crushed almond cookies – Complements the delicate lychee flavour.

How This Recipe Pays Homage to Chinese New Year

Lychee has been eaten in China for over 1,000 years, often associated with royalty and wealth. Rose adds a symbolic floral elegance, making this ice cream a fitting tribute to the Lunar New Year.

Sticky Rice & Mango Ice Cream

Inspiration & Flavour Profile

Inspired by sticky rice desserts, which are eaten during Chinese New Year to symbolise family togetherness, this ice cream captures the creamy, chewy texture of sticky rice paired with sweet mango. It’s rich, tropical, and slightly nutty.

Ingredients

• 300ml coconut milk
• 200ml double cream
• 100ml whole milk
• 150g granulated sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 100g glutinous rice (cooked and cooled)
• 1 ripe mango (pureed)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Method

1. Cook the sticky rice – Rinse and cook glutinous rice as per packet instructions. Let cool.
2. Heat the milk & cream – In a saucepan, heat the coconut milk, double cream, and whole milk until warm.
3. Whisk eggs & sugar – In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale.
4. Combine & thicken – Slowly pour the warm mixture into the eggs, whisking. Return to heat, stirring until thickened.
5. Add mango & vanilla – Remove from heat, mix in mango puree, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
6. Chill, churn & fold in rice – Cool completely, then churn in an ice cream maker. In the last 5 minutes, fold in the cooked sticky rice. Freeze for 4+ hours. ** See note below**

Nutritional Values (Per Serving ~100g)

• Calories: 270 kcal | Fat: 18g | Carbohydrates: 26g | Sugar: 21g | Protein: 4g

Additional Toppings & Pairings

• Toasted coconut flakes – Enhances the tropical notes.
• Mango coulis drizzle – Adds extra fruitiness.
• Sesame seeds or crushed fortune cookies – Adds crunch.

How This Recipe Pays Homage to Chinese New Year

Sticky rice dishes are a staple of Chinese New Year celebrations, representing family unity. Mango adds a fresh, tropical contrast that keeps this ice cream true to its Asian dessert inspiration.

Five-Spice Caramel Swirl Ice Cream

Inspiration & Flavour Profile

This recipe is inspired by five-spice powder (五香粉), a classic blend of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel, and Szechuan pepper, which represents the five elements of Chinese philosophy. Paired with a rich caramel swirl, this ice cream is warm, spiced, and indulgently smooth.

Ingredients

• 400ml double cream
• 250ml whole milk
• 150g granulated sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Caramel Swirl Ingredients

• 100g granulated sugar
• 50ml water
• 50ml double cream

Method

1. Heat the milk & cream – Warm the double cream and milk with the five-spice powder.
2. Whisk eggs & sugar – In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar.
3. Combine & thicken – Slowly pour the warm liquid into the eggs, whisking. Return to heat until thickened.
4. Add vanilla & salt – Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and salt.
5. Make the caramel – In a pan, heat sugar and water until golden brown. Remove from heat, stir in double cream.
6. Chill, churn & swirl – Cool the ice cream base, churn, then swirl in the caramel before freezing. ** See note below**

Nutritional Values (Per Serving ~100g)

• Calories: 290 kcal | Fat: 19g | Carbohydrates: 25g | Sugar: 22g | Protein: 4g

Additional Toppings & Pairings

• Candied walnuts – Enhances the nutty spice.
• Ginger snaps – Complements the warm, spiced flavours.
• Crushed sesame brittle – Adds crunch.

How This Recipe Pays Homage to Chinese New Year

Five-spice powder is deeply rooted in Chinese cuisine, representing balance and harmony. The caramel swirl adds an indulgent contrast, making this ice cream a perfect festive treat.

Other Lucky Ice Cream Flavours

Red Bean & Coconut Ice Cream

• Inspired by sweet red bean soup, a Lunar New Year classic.
• Toppings: Toasted coconut flakes, condensed milk drizzle.

Jasmine Tea & White Chocolate Ice Cream

• Celebrates China’s deep tea culture.
• Toppings: Crushed almond biscuits, honey drizzle.

From the bright citrus notes of mandarin & honey to the nutty richness of black sesame & peanut, all these ice creams capture the essence of Chinese festive flavours.

Whether you’re drawn to the floral elegance of lychee & rose, the creamy indulgence of sticky rice & mango, or the warm, spiced depth of five-spice caramel swirl, there’s a flavour for every palate.

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

Pour the 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? Then head on 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.

The Final Scoop – Wrapping Up the Flavours of Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is all about bringing luck, joy, and prosperity through traditions—including food! Our lucky homemade ice cream flavours take inspiration from symbolic ingredients and transform them into modern frozen treats while staying true to the essence of the celebration.

👉🏽 Which lucky flavour would you try first? Or do you have your own take on a Lunar New Year-inspired ice cream? Let us know in the comments!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Celebrating Chinese New Year With Lucky Ice Cream Flavours – and that we have inspired you to give one of our Chinese New Year-inspired ice cream recipes a go.

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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Wishing you a Happy and Lucky Lunar New Year!