Let’s be honest. We’re writing about ice cream and shakes now because July is National Ice Cream Month.
But is there really ever a bad time to discuss these creamy, sacchariferous treats?
Not when nearly every fast-food restaurant and ice cream company keeps fans of the frosty specialties occupied throughout the year with a rotating assortment of flavors, add-ins and toppings.
While Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A spotlights seasonal offerings as a way to bring awareness to its standing core four flavors – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cookies and cream – spokesperson Mark Baldwin said shake sales are a healthy part of the chain’s sales year-round.
But for whatever reason – weather, perhaps -- most of us perk up more at the mention of new offerings in the summertime.
As with many establishments, Chick-fil-A relies on a combination of customer requests and internal taste testing when planning a new flavor, such as the banana pudding shake that was phased out for the season this week after a triumphant opening run.
“We’re always looking for the next flavor, but as long as customers are demanding – and I do mean demand – the current flavors, we’re going to keep them,” Baldwin said.
Chick-fil-A loyalists will have their straws poised with the news that the popular peach shake returns Monday and will remain through October, when winter hits peppermint chocolate chip returns for the chilly months.
But Chick-fil-A is hardly alone in its quest to satiate the panting masses.
Arby’s, Sonic, Zaxby’s and The Counter are among the restaurants with new novel selections, while Breyer’s and Turkey Hill have added some funky choices to grocery store freezers.
And for those worried about the calories, fat and other debatable merits of the products in the list below, here’s a message: Just chill.
A seasonal indulgence or two during the summer isn’t likely to prompt any gym emergencies.
SHAKES
Arby's: Its Jamocha Oreo Shake is an update of its standby (the plain ol' jamocha) thanks to crushed Oreo cookies at the bottom of the cup, a ribbon of chocolate along the sides and a sprinkling of more crushed O's on top.
Sonic: Also zero-ing in on an Oreo theme, this shake blends pieces of cookie with Oreo-flavored ice cream and tops it off with whipped topping and some more Oreo bites.
Wendy's: Just when you thought a Root Beer Frosty Float was the coolest thing on the menu comes the Strawberry Frosty Shake, a typical Frosty hand-spun and mixed with a sauce made from real strawberries.
The Counter: The Roswell location of this burger joint has debuted a Georgia Peach Cobbler shake, described as a creamy concoction of peach cobbler swirled with peach preserves, ice cream and milk.
Chick-fil-A: The aforementioned peach shake is hand spun and created from real peaches combined with the chain's homestyle Icedream and topped with light whipped cream and a cherry.
Zaxby's: If you missed the specialty Birthday Cake Shake, don't be too sad because the Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake has replaced it through Sept. 25. The hand-blended snack combines the flavors of strawberries and cheesecake with a swish of whipped cream on top.
Steak 'n Shake: Though it's always a challenge trying to choose just one from a lengthy list, the restaurant has given shake-sippers more to agonize over with the addition of peach and key lime shakes, speckled with bits of fruit.
ICE CREAM
Turkey Hill: In honor of the Statue of Liberty's 125th birthday, the company has introduced Lady Liberty Premium Ice Cream, a collection of mint ice cream, chocolate cake crunchies and a chocolate cookie swirl. A donation from the sale of every 48-ounce container will be made to the new Peopling of America Center at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
Graeter's: If you have yet to try the delights of this Cincinnati-based creamery, get thee to a grocery store. For summer, look for its Peach Ice Cream, made with peaches grown in Virginia.
Breyer's: In May, a line of 12 "Blasts!" debuted with seven new flavors, including the decadent Oreo Cookies and Cream Chocolate Ice Cream and Whoppers Malted Vanilla; a reformulated one (the Waffle Cone variety received some Hersey's chocolate chips) and four existing flavors (Snickers, Reese's, Heath English Toffee and Oreo Cookies and Cream) now part of the "Blasts!" family.
Ben & Jerry's: Its recent Clusterfluff isn't just a cute name – it's based on the ever-popular Fluffernutter sandwich, a combination of peanut butter and marshmallow, but with the addition of caramel cluster pieces sprinkled into the pint.
Cold Stone Creamery: Coming in August is a Mojito Sorbet. Sorry, boozers, but no alcohol here, just a non-dairy combination of lime and mint flavors.
About the Author
