National Ice Cream Day is almost here, and Philadelphia is celebrating with everything from free scoops and boozy sundaes to exclusive collaborations.
National Ice Cream Day may fall on July 19, but Philadelphians can celebrate all summer long with a limited-edition collaboration series from Culinary Collective and Irv’s Ice Cream. The month-long partnership has already begun with its first flavor being Mac Mart’s “Honey, Mac Me!” featuring sweet cream ice cream infused with its signature cheese sauce, hot honey, and a panko potato chip crunch (created in celebration of National Mac and Cheese Day), available until July 17.
Then, from July 18 to 24, Arsenal Coffee Roasters and The Cake Vault will team up with “Trunchbull’s Terror,” an espresso ice cream made with Arsenal’s espresso beans and folded with chunks of The Cake Vault’s Matilda cake.
The celebrations continue July 25 to 31 with Midnight Pasta’s Italian-inspired Limoncello Sorbet, followed by Guilty Good Pastries’ Gochujang Caramel Brownie flavor from Aug. 1 to 7, featuring vanilla ice cream packed with chunks of sweet-and-spicy brownies. All four limited-time flavors will be available exclusively at Irv’s Ice Cream.
932 E. Passyunk Ave., irvsicecream.com
Earlier this month, Jeni’s extended its Summer Collection with Drop #2 at scoop shops across Philadelphia. The limited-time lineup features three new flavors: Campfire S’mores, a marshmallow and toasted sugar ice cream swirled with chocolate and graham cracker cookies; Strawberry Pretzel Pie, featuring pretzel streusel and strawberry sauce folded into cream cheese ice cream; and Hibiscus Chilli Punch Sorbet, a hibiscus sorbet with a subtle kick from jalapeño and black pepper. Jeni’s will also celebrate National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, July 19, by offering a free pour of either its signature Fudge Sauce or new Caramel Sauce with any scoop shop order.
Various locations, jenis.com
At Alice, National Ice Cream Day gets a spirited twist—the locale’s Absinthe Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream is an adult-only treat made with classic crème anglaise. The sweetened mixture is reduced with Pernod Absinthe, then folded with hand-chopped dark chocolate and finished in a soft pale-green hue as a nod to classic mint chocolate chip ice cream. The dessert is also served in a chilled steel coupe, topped with Chantilly cream and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder.
901 Christian St., alicephiladelphia.com
This summer, Levain Bakery has teamed up with Milk Jawn to bring a local twist to its famed cookies. The collab pairs Levain’s signature oversized bites with Milk Jawn’s award-winning ice cream (made with fresh Pennsylvania dairy) with menu items like customizable Cookies à la Mode, new mini ice cream sandwiches, and classic affogatos topped with freshly poured espresso. Locals can nab the warm-weather treats at Levain's Center City location.
1518 Walnut St., levainbakery.com
At Franklin Ice Cream Bar, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to the sweet summer staple. The shop’s Keystone Bars range from pre-packaged treats like strawberry shortcake, coffee toffee almond, vegan hydrox cookie, and strawberry matcha, to custom bars dipped in housemade dark or milk chocolate and finished with rotating toppings.
There’s also a rotating list of ice cream sandwiches (think snickerdoodle with sea salt caramel or double chocolate with peanut butter ice cream) and frozen custard choices, including gelati and specialty drops like crème de Lafayette swirled with berry compote. Seasonal highlights also include ice cream cakes featuring local blueberries from Hammonton, New Jersey, plus classics like hot fudge and malt-heavy creations. Limited-edition flavors across both Franklin Fountain and Franklin Ice Cream Bar will also debut this summer, including cherry pie ice cream, root beer sorbet and pretzel-and-peanut-butter “Pretzel-delphias.”
112 Market St., franklinfountain.com
This pick is for the vegans and dairy-free Philadelphians in the city who still want to celebrate the occasion. At Front Street Cafe, locals can order up the Front Street Sundae featuring three scoops of vegan vanilla ice cream topped with salted caramel and chocolate chip cookie crumbles.
1253 N Front St., frontstreetcafe.net
On Sunday, July 19, Friendly’s is treating every guest to a free cone or dish of ice cream—no purchase, rewards membership, or fine print required. Available to both dine-in and carryout guests, the one-day giveaway commemorates the brand's 91st anniversary. While guests can join the free Fan Club Rewards program for year-round perks, everyone can enjoy VIP treatment on National Ice Cream Day with a complimentary scoop on the house.
Multiple locations, locations.friendlysrestaurants.com
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