5 scrumptious local scoops to try during National Ice Cream Month
When we heard that July was National Ice Cream Month, we couldn’t wait to get the scoop on some of the most delicious flavors in the region. From fresh seasonal faves to popular classics, here are five icy-cold treats that are worth celebrating this month.
Devine Gelateria & Cafe
From caramel sea-salt gelato to champagne poached pluot sorbetto, there’s no shortage of options enticing patrons to this midtown sweets destination. But owner Elizabeth McCleary has also reinvented the classic Bananas Foster into a gelato, which placed in the top 10 at this spring’s Gelato World Tour event in Austin (picture of the flavor above by Jane Ko). Combining bananas, brown sugar, cinnamon and banana liqueur with a hint of dark rum and topped with caramel and toasted pecans, McCleary has crafted an all-new flavor sensation out of old-fashioned dessert decadence. 1221 19th St. 446-0600. devinegelateria.com
Gunther’s Ice Cream
The Curtis Park institution hasn’t changed much since 1940—and we hope it never does as long as they keep serving flavors like its Lemon Custard. As the perfect blend of sweet and tart, it makes for a rich and delicious summer treat. The lemon is light, highlighting the fresh citrus of the summer season, and the silky custard balances the chilly concoction to create a lemony dessert that won’t make your lips pucker. 2801 Franklin Blvd. 457-6646. gunthersicecream.com
Vic’s Ice Cream
If a bushel of peaches fell into a batch of vanilla ice cream, that happy accident would taste a lot like Vic’s Fresh Peach, a light and delicate seasonal favorite chock-full of real peach chunks. This Land Park landmark serves the flavor all summer long, providing Sacramentans with a sweet new way to get their daily dose of fruit through Ice Cream Month and beyond. 3199 Riverside Blvd. 448-0892. vicsicecream.com
Treats
Take a drive out to Nevada City and treat yourself to a scoop of River Hill Red Sorbet at this closet-sized ice cream shop featured in Sactown's 2014 Best of the City issue. Owner and ice cream maker Bob Wright makes a brightly colored, sweet and tangy sorbet with locally sourced red peppers from River Hill Farm and tart strawberries from Mountain Bounty Farm. A mound of this frosty goodness is definitely worth the trip to the hills. 110 York Street. Nevada City. 530-913-5819. treatsnevadacity.com
Munnerlyn’s Ice Creamery
This legendary purveyor of handcrafted frozen desserts brings devotees from far and wide to Amador County to try flavors like Roaring Camp S’more—creamy vanilla ice cream with brown sugar, graham cracker swirl, soft mini marshmallows and chocolate flakes. But if the other options—like the popular Kit Carson Crunk with coffee, toffee and chocolate—prove too tempting, get Munnerlyn’s sampler of six mini scoops so you don’t have to settle on just one. 20145 State Highway 88. Pine Grove. 209-296-4400
