Are you ready to get brain freeze this summer? Battle the heat and humidity with nine of the best frozen desserts in Chicago and the suburbs. Just hurry so you can get them before they melt! There’s no sweeter way to cool down.
Homestead on the Roof
There’s no better place to enjoy an artisanal twist on the classic Nestle’s Drumstick or frozen cheesecake dipped in chocolate than al fresco on the rooftop above Roots Handmade Pizza in West Town. Pastry Chef Chris Teixeira rolls out several frozen treats for summer, including boozy peach mojito and piña colada pops, a strawberry sherbet and shortbread ice cream sandwich, and frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. 1924 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, 773-332-2354
Amorino Gelato
This Parisian gelato chain opened its first Chicago location this spring, bringing a European player to the city’s ice cream scene. Their signature is arranging your scoops of gelato to resemble an almost too-pretty-to-eat flower. Luckily, the sweet-tangy mango, rich chocolate, tart raspberry and smooth hazelnut will convince you otherwise. Snap a photo for Instagram quickly before it melts and then dig in. 838 N. State St., Chicago, 312-266-7466
The Terrace at Trump
Go big or go home on the terrace in classic Trump style. For the ultimate ice cream indulgence, bring a group of friends to split the 100 Dollar Sundae, featuring 20 scoops of ice cream presented on a Lazy Susan surrounded by toppings including pistachio nougat, raspberries, chocolate Rocher, strawberry pearls, mascarpone cream, and a variety of sauces. 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 312-588-8600
Le Bar
A Bellini float, ice cream sundae and trio of macaroon ice cream sandwiches will tempt your taste buds at the Sofitel bar this summer. Pastry Chef Leigh Omilinsky nails the anatomy of an ice cream sundae with her “grown-up” version, featuring three different kinds of ice cream (caramel, peanut butter and coffee almond) lavished with house-made toppings (brandied cherries, marshmallows, peanut butter fudge, candied peanuts and warm bourbon caramel sauce) to top off this sweet and salty heaven. 20 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, 312-324-4000
Black Dog Gelato
Chicago’s favorite homegrown gelateria just opened a new location inside the Chicago French Market where they’re serving up signature goat cheese-cashew caramel alongside coffee basil, blueberry French toast, sesame-fig chocolate chip and cucumber-rosewater sorbet. We also love the whiskey gelato pops, coated in dark chocolate and bacon bits. 859 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, 773-235-3116; Chicago French Market, 131 N. Clinton St., Chicago
Inovasi
If you like Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, you will die for the chocolate cherry milkshake here, made with Fabbri amarena cherries in a Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream. Columbian 76-percent dark chocolate hand-whipped cream tops it off along with toasted almonds and one final cherry on top. 28 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff, 847-295-1000
Frio Gelato
Gelato might be an Italian tradition but it’s just as popular a dessert in Argentina. Now, a couple of Argentine cousins are bringing flavors like palta (avocado), yerba mate tea and Malbec with red berries to the streets of Evanston. A percentage of profits go to VisionAR, a nonprofit in Argentina that provides college scholarships to outstanding students with limited financial means. 1701 Simpson St., Evanston, 847-372-8119
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Freshly churned chocolate and vanilla frozen custard is the dulcet base for toppings of your choice from fresh peaches and blackberries to pecans, cheesecake, brownie bites and more. The ultimate summer indulgence is the Key lime pie concrete, available in July. An entire slice of pie mashed up with vanilla custard takes pie à la mode to new heights. 719 Church St., Evanston, 847-864-8009
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Cincinnati’s hometown ice cream store, and one of Oprah’s favorites, just opened their first Illinois store in Northbrook. Their ice cream has been available by the pint in Whole Foods, Plum Market and Mariano’s but now, you can enjoy black raspberry chocolate chip and nutty Buckeye blitz by the scoop. A little less dangerous than having a pint tempting you from the freezer. But just a little. 1347 Shermer Road, Northbrook, 847-513-6540
More sweet treats to enjoy this summer:
