South Florida is no stranger to the summer heat. In fact, we know exactly how to beat it. From ice cold air conditioning, ocean dips, swimming pools, a ton of delicious ice cream shops, and self serve froyo shops – South Florida has your summer meltdowns covered.
Persians are said to be the first to combat summer heat with icy treats. People of the Persian Empire would pour grape juice concentrate over the snow and call it a day. The first introduction of a “frozen milk-like confection” is believed to have originated in the Tang Dynasty. This specific version was made up of cow, buffalo, or goat milk heated with flour and enhanced with Camphor – an aromatic substance harvested from evergreen trees.
This delicious summer remedy has been tested and tried all over, but America has long put its own twist on ice cream with the invention of hot fudge sundaes and more recently, alcohol-infused ice cream. From unique flavors and adult-approved scoops to create-your-own ice cream cookie sandwiches and sundaes – check out our list of Broward and Palm Beach counties’ favorite ice cream shops.
Proper Ice Cream
1445 N. Congress Ave #4, Delray Beach | 561-359-3420
Proper ice cream chef and owner – Rickey Felberbaum – is a practicing lawyer by day and ice cream chef extraordinaire on the side. Rickey is a frozen dessert connoisseur passionate about concocting “high-quality Artisan Ice Cream” in the heart of Delray Beach. Proper Ice Cream is unlike any other ice cream shop by creating ice cream from scratch – without any artificial ingredients – and incorporating fruits and spices from Turkey, Israel, Yugoslavia, and local Florida farms.
If you really want to curb your sweet tooth craving, try the glazed donut flavored Proper Ice Cream. More of a traditional flavor ice cream lover? Don’t worry. Proper Ice Cream also serves the classics – vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. On top of the variety of flavors, this shop also offers non-dairy plant-based flavors. This shop comes alive at night with occasional live music with graffiti-covered walls, outside seating, and a complete youthful vibe. Don’t forget to grab a pint to-go!
Jaxon’s Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant
128 S. Federal Hwy, Dania Beach | 954-923-4445
This infamous ice cream parlor was opened by Monroe Udell in 1956. Jaxson’s keeps the tradition alive by continuing to make each of more than 60 flavors of ice cream by hand. This old fashioned parlour is one of the nation’s largest collects of not only ice cream selections but rural American memorabilia as well – including a world-class automobile license plate collection. It’s not uncommon for customers to return on vacation with a beautifully gifted license plate to contribute to the collection.
Jaxon’s serves supersized scoops, waffles and ice cream, sparkling sodas, traditional shakes, parfaits, sundaes, and banana splits. It’s no wonder this is a Florida native and visitor favorite. Jaxson’s is most famous for the “Kitchen Sink” sundae – 36 scoops of ice cream -with all your favorite toppings and mixins – literally served in a replicated kitchen sink dish. This infamous treat is for parties of four or more and capitalizes on making all of your “I scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream” dreams come true!
Sloan’s
329 Plaza Real, Boca Raton | 561-338-9887
This pretty in pink-themed ice cream shop is a Palm Beach favorite. Sloan’s is best-known for its princess-like vibes, 40+ flavors of luxurious ice cream, toy/game covered shelves, and walls covered with candy-filled bins. Sloan’s originally opened in 1999 and was created to “capture an ice cream utopia for the young and young at heart.” This ice cream shop is a sugar high waiting to happen.
A visit to Sloan’s is less about the princess vibes and more about choice. From unique ice cream flavors, made-to-order ice cream cookie sandwiches, Mom’s Apple Pie, Dad’s Milk Chocolate, to a pink buttercream ice cream swirled with Lucky Charms, mini M&M’s, and baked Rice Krispie treats – Sloan’s leaves no ice stone un-churned. Undecided on what flavor to try? Check out the luxury sampler. After all, you’re only as old as you feel.
Wilton Creamery
2301 Wilton Dr # C4, Wilton Manors | 954-565-1183
Pastry chef DJ Colby is a creative genius that has mastered the art of gourmet ice cream creations. Wilton Creamery is an Industrial-meets-50’s upscale ice cream shop. The rainbow of flavors is not your average ice cream display. Wilton Creamery prepares anywhere from 20-30 handcrafted recipes. From specialty ice cream, savory sorbet, ice cream nachos, and pelatos (Adult popsicles) – this upscale ice cream shop has flavors guaranteed to satisfy mom and dad.
He’s Not Worth It is the customer favorite at Wilton Creamery. Sure the title is catchy, but most importantly this Snickers inspired flavor is created without using any of the delicious candy bar whatsoever. Combining vanilla ice cream, English toffee, Oreo, Heath bar, chopped soft caramel, and a housemade sea-salt-infused caramel swirl has resulted in this elusive ice cream. Wilton Creamery also offers nondairy alternatives as well as “Dog-Friendly Flavors.”
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