National Ice Cream Day, designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, is upon us once again on Sunday, July 21. And it couldn’t have come at a better time given the oppressive heat waves that New York City has endured over the past few weeks.
Here are some of the deals available this weekend:
Sugar Hill Creamery
Just two years ago, Nick Larsen, co-owner of the Harlem-based Sugar Hill Creamery, openly admitted to The Daily News he wasn’t a fan of what he referred to as a “marketing ploy.”
But with the expansion of the seven-year-old business he co-owns with his wife, Petrushka Bazin Larsen, the classically-trained chef has had a change of heart.
“National Ice Cream Day has evolved into our ‘high-holy day’ of the year,” he said on Thursday. “It’s become an exciting opportunity to connect with our community by sharing ice cream.”
“According to Petrushka, after the couple attended the annual ConeCon ice cream conference, they realized the significance of joining in on the fun.
Petrushka added: “Participating in National Ice Cream Day has transformed our business perspective. We’ve gone from thinking ‘every day is ice cream day’ to recognizing the power of this special celebration in bringing people together and showcasing what makes our ice cream unique.”
That’s why Sugar Hill Creamery has collaborated with the Organic Valley to create the “If You Scoop It, They Will Come” summer flavor. Made with an organic vanilla custard infused with fresh sweet corn and a wild plum gelée, the new concoction will be given out for free to the first 100 customers at five Sugar Hill locations across the city on July 21.
The limited-edition flavor will be available for sale at five Sugar Hill Creamery locations through July 31, or while supplies last.
Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen, available in supermarkets nationwide and in its 29 scoop shops across the city, is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hello Kitty with a new flavor that will be available for one day only on National Ice Cream Day.
The exclusive Yummy Berry White Chocolate Truffle blends white chocolate ice cream with swirls of sweet red raspberry jam (a nod to Hello Kitty’s famous red bow) and chunks of truffle brownies. The fast growing brand will donate 50 percent of the profits to kindness.org, the global nonprofit focused on kindness.
Its Tribeca shop (310 Greenwich St.) will host a special pop-up event on Sunday — devoted to Hello Kitty fans — where customers can get a taste of the flavor by the scoops alongside Hello Kitty-themed sundaes and shakes. There will also be limited quantities of commemorative merch and free friendship bracelet giveaways.
KIND
KIND’s Frozen Treat Bars are available for free at Domino Park (15 River St.) in Brooklyn from noon to 5 p.m. Plant-based and dairy-free flavors that will be given out include Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt & Nut, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Nut, Mint Chocolate Almond Nut, and the Chocolate Cherry Almond & Nut. The guilt free snack brand’s free spirit coincides with its recently launched social media sweepstakes, where one lucky winner will win a year’s supply of the frozen treats.
Harry Potter New York
Harry Potter, the boy wizard who captured our hearts in a best-selling book series, blockbuster film franchise and a hit Broadway production, also has a store in the Flatiron Building (930 Broadway). From noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, fans will get a free serving of Butterbeer ice cream, inspired by the butterscotch flavored wizarding drink in the series.
Fini Pizza
The In The Raw natural sweetener brand and Fini Pizza will give away free Italian ice, ice cream and gelato to the first 200 customers at all three Fini Pizza locations (Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn or Amagansett in The Hamptons) from 2 to 5 pm. on Sunday. While the exclusive Hot Agave In The Raw X Fini Watermelon Ice (shown above) is the centerpiece, each location will have a special In The Raw toppings bar to add to additional ice cream flavors.
Taiyaki NYC
Known for its Japanese fish-shaped waffle cone, Taiyaki NYC collaborated with the Monopoly Go! online game for a pop-up experience at its Chinatown (119 Baxter St.) and Williamsburg (294 Bedford Ave.) locations. Gamers can play, win prizes and most importantly eat free ice cream flavors inspired by Mr. Monopoly, himself. The first 2,100 people in line starting at 11 a.m in Manhattan and the first 700 people in line at noon in Brooklyn will be served the limited-edition soft serve.
Friendly’s Restaurants
In commemoration of its 89th Founder’s Day, the national restaurant chain already launched the $2 Fribble promotion on its Fan Club app throughout the month of July. But Friendly’s doesn’t stop the celebration with what it calls “the creamiest, tastiest milkshakes ever.” For National Ice Cream Day, Friendly’s is offering .89¢ single scoop cones at all locations all weekend through July 21.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen will offer customers on Sunday a free Dilly Bar, which is made with its signature vanilla soft serve encased in a delicious coating. The deal is available with a purchase of $1 for its rewards members, in-store or through the DQ app.
Talenti
Though not technically ice cream, per say, the gelato and sorbet brand is getting in the National Ice Cream Day action with its “Case of the Mondaes” kit to provide a solution for what it called “Sunday Scaries.” Consisting of handcrafted strawberry sorbetto, De Soi Très Rosé Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Aperitif, freeze dried strawberry slices, white chocolate shavings, and freeze-dried edible flowers. the kits will be available for free from July 20 through July 22 on DoorDash in New York City, Chicago and Dallas while supplies last.
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