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(Courtesy of The Ice Cream Factory/Photo by Irene Moore)

Art at The Ice Cream Factory

We All Scream for Ice Cream

July is the perfect time to celebrate the frozen treat that conjures up the taste of summer

by ,

Dining Out

Miami has some serious chops as far as ice cream goes. Following successful pop-ups in 2017 and 2022, The Museum of Ice Cream's CEO, Mary Ellis Bunn, announced that the museum now has a permanent location in Miami, at the New World Center in downtown Miami. 

But that’s far from the only place to enjoy ice cream in Miami. July is National Ice Cream Month, the perfect time to cool off with a cold, creamy treat and to delve into how ice cream came to be a summer favorite.

A HISTORY OF ICE CREAM

Ice cream is a universal favorite because it has global diversity and a rich history. Once a dessert only for the elite, it evolved into one of the most popular mass market products ever developed in the 20th century.

To us, ice cream includes ice cream cones, ice cream bars, sorbets, ice cream bonbons, soft-serve, ice cream cakes, ice cubes, and ice cream cups. Whether it is a gelato, soft-serve ice cream, Indian kulfi, or Israeli glia, some form of ice cream treat can be found throughout the world in ice cream shops, little hole-in-the wall bodegas, restaurants, and home freezers.

According to legend, a primitive form of ice cream was invented by the Chinese: a mixture of milk and rice packed in snow. References to an "icy, crunchy refreshment that seemed congealed and yet seems to float" can be traced back as early as ninth century China.

Frozen confections were brought to Italy by Marco Polo (he also brought pasta from China to Italy), and to France by Catherine de Medici, where it was made at the French court. The frozen dessert's popularity spread worldwide, and each culture added its own twist: The Persians added rosewater and vermicelli, and the Arabs introduced sherbet, a precursor to modern sorbet. By the 17th century, Italian and French chefs were creating more refined versions.

Although Europeans came up with modern ice cream recipes, Americans have long claimed ice cream as their national dessert. The first president of the U.S., George Washington, was an avid ice cream lover. When the new president was living in New York – the city then served as the capital of the U.S. from 1785 to 1790 – during the summer of 1790, he was apparently so fond of ice cream he spent $200, a princely sum at the time, to satisfy his craving for the frozen treat.

During that time, the first ice cream parlor opened in New York. Ice cream became associated with patriotism, and became the treat of choice for Independence Day celebrations, a special food honoring the nation on its birthday.

Thanks to refrigeration and mass production abilities, ice cream became very popular in 19th century America. Enterprising entrepreneurs developed the modern ice cream industry and ice cream treats became available to everyone, especially through the popularity of the soda fountain, the icon of American innocence and small-town values.

The American entrepreneurial spirit led to product development and marketing that transformed ice cream into a worldwide dessert favorite. It became the dessert of choice for rich and poor alike.

BEST SELLERS

Known for its simplicity and elegance, vanilla is the most loved ice cream flavor in the world, followed by chocolate and strawberry. Butterscotch, cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, and rocky road follow closely behind.

So many different flavors of ice cream are available today that reflect the culinary traditions of different cultures. From classic vanilla and chocolate to innovative flavors like salted caramel and matcha, the world of ice cream has a flavor for everyone.

MIAMI'S ICE CREAM SHOPS

Salt & Straw (786.858.9954) 749 Lincoln Rd. in South Beach, is a popular West Coast ice cream shop from Portland, Oregon, and known for its wild flavors and bold recipes. Its super-creamy scoops contain a whopping 17% butterfat, and are available in flavors like strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper and salted, malted, chocolate chip cookie dough. It also has locations in Wynwood (786-633-0157) 246 NW 25th St., Miami; and Cocowalk (786-633-0142) 3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove, and its most recent spot at the Esplanade at Aventura Mall.

Many fan favorites are back for summer, showing off the Pacific Northwest's best produce, and they've whipped up some new flavors with vine-ripened tomatoes and mouth-puckering lemons. They're celebrating the summer season with the Summer Pies Series, churning classic pie flavors into five different flavors with flaky bits of crusts, jammy fillings and custardy centers, and serving them up a la mode. There's a wild-foraged berry slab pie with wild berry pie filling folded into salted vanilla ice cream; a rhubarb crumble with toasted anise; coconut cherry pie with almond crust; wildflower honey and lemon chess pie; and gruyere and tomato custard tart.

Azucar Ice Cream Factory, an ice cream and sorbet boutique located in the heart of Little Havana (305-381-0369) 1503 SW 8th St. (Calle Ocho), Miami, is a cultural experience of Cuban-inspired flavors, described as "ice cream like abuela used to make." The ice cream is made with all-natural ingredients such as locally grown, ruby red mamey, sweet platanos maduros (ripe plantains), and other seasonal fruits and vegetables from South Florida's markets and local growers at the Redland agricultural area.

Midtown Creamery (786-536-2281) 2690 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, is Midtown Miami's spot for amazing homemade ice cream and desserts. Located near both Wynwood and the Edgewater neighborhoods, it's known for its creamy ice cream and viral cereal cones and bowls, and its 'Grammable treats.

Sweet Melody (305-381-0597) 3814 S.W. 8th St., Coral Gables, features all-homemade ice cream, mix-ins, and toppings. They make classic American style ice cream, sometimes referred to as Philadelphia or New England style. Their ultra-premium 16% butterfat ice cream has a rich, dense, texture. No egg yolks in their recipe makes the flavors more intense. However, they do make an egg yolk French base for flavors like creme Brulé, Key Lime pie, and brownie batter.

Sweet Melody's ice cream and everything that goes in it is made from scratch in their in-house bakery. Their team is committed to making the most sustainable product. They don't use artificial flavors or colors, or any ingredients that don't serve their sustainable mission. Even their sprinkles are all-natural and dye-free.

Located right off Lincoln Road in South Beach, The Ice Cream Factory (786-732-3228) 1626 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach, briefly closed last year but has re-opened under a new iteration, The Ice Cream Factory, honoring its original name of the Frieze Ice Cream Factory. It's a casual family-owned business known for its classic all-natural ice cream and sorbet, and also features a wide selection of kosher ice creams and sorbets. Family member Sam Brejt said, "We brought back the original recipes and flavors from their first shop, including the iconic 'Champagne' gelato and 'cappuccino chip' ice cream. We have many unusual flavors, such as Nutella Swirl (our favorite), red wine, Sangria, and tropical Miami flavors like guava, mango, lychee, mamey, and 'Bacci,' chocolate caramel chip."