We all scream for ice cream: The ultimate guide to the Coachella Valley's coolest treats
Among the many obsessions I have in my life (movies, plants, Dakota Johnson, etc.), none bring me the instant gratification — or the sugar rush — that ice cream does.
I used to live in the Midwest, where eating ice cream in the winter was not the norm. But now that I live in an area where the weather is almost always right for a cold treat, I can't stop myself from getting a scoop — or two. My way-too-frequent haul of new flavors from Trader Joe's or Tillamook is featured prominently on my social media, and any time I visit a new city or country, I always try their specialty (I ate way too much gelato on my recent European adventure).
I'd like to think this obsession of mine has made me somewhat of an ice cream connoisseur, and after two years in the desert, I can safely say I've eaten some delicious frozen desserts. Just in time for National Ice Cream Day on July 16, I've compiled your go-to guide for ice cream in the Coachella Valley. Every spot mentioned has passed my personal "yum" test and brings something new when it comes to creamy, sweet goodness.
I haven't been to every single ice cream spot in the valley, so if you have any you highly recommend, send me an email at ema.sasic@desertsun.com and I'll happily check it out.
Ben & Jerry's
Locations: 110 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; and The River, 71-800 Highway 111, Unit A-124, Rancho Mirage
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday
Note: Vegan options available
More information: www.benjerry.com/palmsprings
I know that Ben & Jerry's is a common ice cream brand — you can find it at any supermarket, after all — but I've never lived in a place that had a standalone store, so this just had to make the list. The Palm Springs location has all the flavors you love, like Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough, plus some you might not be able to find elsewhere. It's a similar story at the mid-valley location at The River in Rancho Mirage.
Brandini Toffee
Locations: 132 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; and 42-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (Palm Springs location); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (Rancho Mirage location)
More information: https://brandinitoffee.com/
The creamy and sweet goodness of Brandini Toffee's toffee products are a delicacy of their own in the Coachella Valley, but they're even more special on ice cream. There's a limited selection available — an ice cream bar or ice cream cup — but both include vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate drizzle and almond toffee crumbles on top. When you take that first bite, you'll know exactly why Brandini Toffee has made a delicious name for itself in the valley.
Great Shakes
Location: 160 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Sunday-Friday; and noon-10 a.m. Saturday
Note: Lactose-free options available
More information: www.greatshakes.com/
After my first day at The Desert Sun, I drove into downtown Palm Springs and treated myself to an ultra-sweet milkshake concoction from Great Shakes. From that moment on, a love story was born. I'm a big fan of the brownie almond crunch, date walnut, Oreo cookie with caramel swirl and s'more flavors, but every flavor rules. The interior is also decked out in Rat Pack photos and mid-century modern décor that gives the place a cute 1950s diner feel.
Gelato Granucci
Location: 301 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 104, Palm Springs
Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday
Note: Vegan options available
More information: https://gelatogranucci.com/
Enjoy a taste of Italy without having to leave the valley. Whenever I'm looking for more sophisticated flavors in a cold dessert, I head over to the delightful Gelato Granucci shop. Gelato is lower in fat and sugar than traditional ice cream, but don't worry, the homemade flavors the site offers are absolutely out of this world. The hazelnut and Stracciatella flavors are simply to die for, and the gelato itself is unbelievably creamy as it melts in your mouth.
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Location: 44-489 Town Center Way, Suite F, Palm Desert
Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Note: Vegan options available
More information: https://handelsicecream.com/
There's a local ice cream/milk chain called Oberweis Dairy in my hometown that has the best ice cream by a mile. No other place has ever come close to that creamy goodness ... except for Handel's. The first time I tried Handel's, I sampled seven flavors, which proved every single flavor you get there is fantastic. Graham central station makes the top of my list, and I paired it once with the coconut almond fudge ripple and basically tasted heaven.
Kreem
Location: 170 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Note: Vegan options available
More information: www.kreempalmsprings.com/
Ice cream making is an artform, especially when it comes to crafting up fresh new flavors that no one has seen or tried before, and Kreem has mastered it. The artisanal shop always has something unique up its sleeve, like rosemary, prickly pear (a fusion of watermelon and a light bubble gum) or black goat (goat cheese ice cream with a blackberry swirl). The citrus concoction I tried has stayed with me ever since.
La Michoacana
Locations: 50-249 Harrison St., Suite E, Coachella; 32-280 Date Palm Drive, Suite 4309, Cathedral City; 27-765 Landau Blvd., Suite 106, Cathedral City; 81-673 Highway 111, Suite 1A, Indio
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday (Coachella location); 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily (Date Palm Drive location); 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily (Landau Boulevard location); 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday
Note: Ask about dietary options
More information: www.michoacana.com/
You might just find the biggest and most affordable scoop of ice cream at one of the many La Michoacana shops in the Coachella Valley. I'm a big fan of the Gansito flavor, a take on the Mexican snack cake with vanilla ice cream, strawberry jelly and satisfyingly crunchy chocolate bits, and the Kit-Kat and piñon flavors are also calling my name. Staples like popsicles and refreshing mangonadas are also on the menu and so hard to resist.
Lappert's Super Premium Ice Cream
Locations: 130 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 73-221 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 78-206 Varner Road #G, Palm Desert
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Note: Dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan options available
More information: https://lapperts.com/
Hawaiian influences are aplenty when you step inside Lappert's Super Premium Ice Cream shops. The locations have 260 unique rotating flavors, such as Kauai Pie, Hawaiian Sea Salt Caramel, Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut and Kona Coffee, and of course there are date shakes for those who can't get enough of the valley's sweetest crop. Fans of the pineapple soft serve Dole Whip can also find it here.
Lizzy's Premium Frozen Yogurt
Location: 66-040 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Note: Vegan options available
More information: www.lizzyspremiumfrozenyogurt.com
There's a difference between ice cream and frozen yogurt, but there's still dairy and sugar involved, so there's a spot for it on this list. Lizzy's Premium Frozen Yogurt has the flavors you love, like birthday cake and chocolate, and some more unique ones. One that caught my eye was tiger blood, an ultra refreshing mix of coconut, watermelon and strawberry that I topped off with some Butterfinger pieces and mango and strawberry juice poppers.
Nitroinfusions
Location: 78-010 Main St., Suite 108, La Quinta
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Note: Vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free options available
Out of all the ice cream shops on this guide, you'll get the coolest experience when you stop by Nitroinfusions. Rather than a traditional scoop-and-serve style, they create their ice cream using liquid nitrogen, which clocks in at -321 degrees. I don't quite understand how it's made, but I know it's tasty and refreshing on a triple-digit day. Check out the vanilla ice cream topped with roasted pistachios and olive oil for a sweet and salty mix.
Shields Date Garden
Location: 80-225 Highway 111, Indio
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
More information: https://shieldsdategarden.com/
You can't have a desert ice cream list without the valley's iconic date shake. I've tried a number of them in the valley, but the one at Shields Date Garden remains unmatched. It's a simple concoction that consists of low-fat vanilla ice milk (very similar to ice cream) and date crystals, and it's super creamy and flavorful. They're very filling, so you're totally fine splitting it with someone else, but I also respect the challenge of finishing one all by yourself.
Shop(pe) Ice Cream & Shop
Location: 1551 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A, Palm Springs
Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; and noon-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Note: Vegan options available
More information: https://www.icecreamandshop.com/
Shop(pe) has been on my list for a while, and when I finally checked it out, I was pleasantly surprised with the unique flavor options. When's the last time you saw avocado or blackberry cabernet ice cream? I asked the cashier for their recommendation and decided to combine one of the most popular flavors, lavender, with chocolate. It was the perfect balance between the two, especially because lavender can be overwhelming on its own.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 12 must-try ice cream shops in the greater Palm Springs area
