Celebrate National Ice Cream Day by eating a sweet treat in one of these 7 places

It's that sweet and (hot) time of the year when all people are yearning for is ice cream.

Louisville has many local shops where people can enjoy this delicious treat. These places put their own twist on flavors that will make you want to try them all-- from Tequila Ice Cream to Pistachio Honeycomb and even bourbon-flavored (because what is Kentucky without bourbon.)

What better excuse to enjoy ice cream than on National Ice Cream Day this Sunday? But the reality is that every day is a good day to eat ice cream.

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Ice cream shops in Louisville:

Graeter's

Various locations; https://www.graeters.com/

With several locations around Louisville, Graeter's is a good option to indulge in some ice cream on Sunday.

Graeter's has seasonal flavors, one different each month—the summer flavors are Banana Chocolate Chip (June), Peach (June to July), Strawberry Sorbet (July), and Key Lime Pie (August).

Graeter's has more than 15 flavors all year round, including Mocha Chocolate Chip, Raspberry Sorbet, Vienna Coffee, Birthday Cake, and Cotton Candy.

Graeter's started as a cart in Cincinnati and has been selling ice cream since 1870, according to their website. Now, they have stores in 11 cities, including six in Louisville.

For National Ice Cream Day, Graeter's is "celebrating 153 years with $1.53 single-dip sugar cones!" their Instagram said.

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Louisville Cream

632 E Market St, Suite 101; 502-882-1516; http://www.louisvillecream.com/

Located in downtown, Louisville Cream describes itself as "premium small batch ice cream."

People can order their scoops at the shop or take a pint to-go. They sell many different flavors, including Bourbon Smoked Pecan, Pistachio Honeycomb and Crème Brûlée. Louisville Cream has even more flavors in pints, like Mascarpone and Strawberry and Peanut Butter Feelings.

Aside from ice cream, they sell pastries including Ding Dongs, Brownies, cookies and Lemon Pound Cake.

Panchitos Ice Cream Preston Highway

2245 Bardstown Road; 8118 Preston Highway, Suite 100; (502) 554-6222; https://www.panchitosicecream.com/

Panchitos Ice Cream opened for business in Louisville in 2015 in Preston Highway by husband-and-wife team Alicia and Jose Fabian. Jose's father opened the first Panchito's in 2009 in Lexington, and there are currently two locations in the region, The Courier Journal previously reported.

The family initially sold Blue Bell Ice Cream but had to come up with a new plan when the creamery went out of business, as previously reported, which is when they decided to make their own flavors.

Panchitos has 30 unique flavors for customers to try, including Snickers, Gansito (a Mexican treat filled with strawberry and crème and topped with chocolate coating), Tequila, and Pine Nut.

Panchitos also sells creamy-filled popsicles, bananas covered in chocolate, and flavored water.

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Comfy Cow

Various locations; https://www.thecomfycow.com/

Comfy Cow is a Louisville-based ice cream shop with five locations around the city.

"We are focused on creating and producing one-of-a-kind, super-premium ice cream with the finest ingredients," their website says.

Comfy Cow has classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, but they also have unique ones like Bourbon Ball, Salted Caramel, Black Raspberry Chip, and Brown Butter Peanut Brittle. They also sell ice cream pies, treats (including doggie treats) and have vegan options

To taste their ice cream, head to Westport Village (1301 Herr Ln #118), Frankfort Avenue (2221 Frankfort Ave), Middletown (13301 Shelbyville Rd #106), Cardinal Towne (339 W Cardinal Blvd) or the Paddock Shops (4005 Summit Plaza Drive).

Ehrler's Ice Cream

201 East Main St; 2500 Bardstown Road; https://ehrlers.com/

Even though it started as a milk farm, Ehrler's has been a fixture in the Louisville market for over a century.

Their original ice cream shop is located downtown, on East Main Street, and their second location opened in June on Bardstown Road. Their current owners took over the company in 2015, although people "can expect the same incredible ice cream that Ehrler’s has always been known for, along with some new favorites," their website says.

Ehrler's sells ice cream, sundaes and milkshakes. Some of their traditional flavors include Orange Sorbet, Mont Chocolate Chip, and Bourbon Pecan Fudge.

Now, onto the good stuff. They have summer flavors like Cookie Monster, Mexican Chocolate, S'mores, Triple Berry Chrisp, and Mango Sorbet.

Along with their two brick-and-mortar stores, Ehler's serves ice cream during games at Lynn Stadium (350 Adams Street) and L&N Stadium (2100 South Floyd Street), and during events at the Kentucky International Convention Center (221 S 4th St.) and at the Kentucky Expo Center & Freedom Hall (937 Phillips Lane).

Dairy Del

1516 S. Shelby St.; 502-709-4660; https://www.facebook.com/DairyDel/

Dairy Del is one of Louisville's seasonal shops and also one of its oldest locations still serving customers.

Dairy Del opens for eight months every year, and this year it started serving customers on March 7. The shop brought back its walk-in option this year after only accepting people through their drive-thru since the COVID-19 pandemic started, The Courier Journal previously reported.

The shop sells milkshakes, sundaes, hand-dipped ice cream cones, soft-serve ice cream, and smoothies. Along with those, you can try their funnel fry sundae, banana split, S'mores parfait, hot fudge cake, Polish sausages, burgers, popcorn chicken, nachos, or pretzels.

For National Ice Cream Day, Dairy Del is doing a buy one, get one free special on Sunday. "Buy ANY Cone or Cup and get another of equal or lesser value absolutely FREE!" their Facebook page says. "This is the perfect chance to indulge in your favorite flavor or try something new."

Dairy Kastle

575 Eastern Parkway, 502-634-8990, https://www.dairykastle.com/

Dairy Kastle is the other seasonal shop that people run to in the summer.

Dairy Kastle opened in March and typically remains open through September, The Courier Journal reported. The restaurant is open between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m.

Dairy Kastle, a cash-only shop, serves ice cream, chili dogs, flurries, hot dogs, nachos, and tacos in a bag.

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Reach Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 7 places in Louisville to celebrate National Ice Cream Day