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banana split, Charleston, chocolate, diary-free, grocery store, how to find vegan ice cream, ice cream, ice cream recipes, ice cream shop, sorbet, summer, vegan, vegan frozen treat, vegan ice cream recipes, vegans can eat ice cream
Charleston was a steamy, sweaty 94 degrees yesterday.
I’m not sure what the weather is like where you are, but I can safely declare that summer has arrived in the Holy City.
Ice Cream-induced grin
And with it, the time for ice cream is here! Vegans rejoice!
What? Vegans can eat ice cream?!
Yep, we sure can; we can indulge in all sorts of frozen treats (and chocolate too)!
Traditional ice cream is made from dairy milk, which we know from my Ditch the Dairy post is both cruel to cows and their babies and unhealthy for us to boot!
But VEGAN ice cream is cruelty-free, a healthier alternative, and just as delicious as ‘regular’ ice cream.
And guess what? You don’t have to be vegan to love vegan ice cream. Just try it and you’ll be amazed (and hooked)!
Don’t know where to start?
No worries! I’ll help you navigate with info, pics, and tips for how to find it near you!
Vegan ice cream comes in a variety of types: almond-based ice cream, rice-based, coconut-based, soy-based, hemp-based, and more.
And don’t get me started on the flavors! All the old stand-bys plus creative, outrageously decadent flavors are on the market.
I actually whooped and jumped for joy when I looked in the vegan ice cream section at Earthfare for the first time. I startled an employee and two customers, who then laughed as I explained that I had just gone vegan and discovered tons of flavors I wanted to try.
Below are pics of just a few vegan ice creams and frozen treats that I’ve enjoyed and a handy ‘how-to’ for finding them!
This almond-based ice cream comes in amazing flavors like cappuccino swirl. I found this at Whole Foods.
Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt shop carries non-GMO soy frozen yogurt! I get Oreos, dark chocolate, or fruit as toppings.
House-made ice cream at Plant (in Asheville, NC) featuring mint chocolate chip, mocha, and Rocky Road
A blood-orange-and-basil King of Pops popsicle at the Charleston Farmers Market makes for a great vegan frozen treat!
Vegan strawberry and lemon sorbet in Positano, Italy. Vegan options are everywhere!
My fave flavor, pomegranate chip!
A chocolate-covered coconut almond ice cream pop by So Delicious Dairy Free.
Another beautiful Tutti Frutti creation featuring two of their ever-rotating flavors: pistachio and chocolate!
A unique sorbet flavor – spiced cider – at Monza, downtown Charleston.
Now that we’re all drooling, let’s get some tips on how to find all this good stuff!
How to Find Vegan Ice Cream & Frozen Treats
1. Head to the store!
Most grocery stores carry at least one type of vegan ice cream.
Natural food stores (like Whole Foods and Earthfare) carry a HUGE variety, from basic vanilla to Neapolitan to Peanut Butter Zig Zag!
They even have vegan ice cream sandwiches, chocolate covered ice cream pops, and chocolate-covered bananas!
Don’t see what you want at your local store?
Ask for the manager and request it! Grocery stores listen to what their customers want. Ask your friends to request it too, and you’ll be whooping for joy in the frozen aisle before you know it too!
2. Seek out vegan-friendly ice cream/frozen yogurt shops.
The banana split at Sweet Ritual
Many cities have vegan-friendly ice cream spots.
Austin, TX (recently named the most vegan-friendly city in the US!) has an entirely vegan ice cream parlor called Sweet Ritual, where you can get a banana split or cookie dough sundae, soft serve, or milkshakes.
In Brooklyn, head to Lula’s Sweet Apothecary for a brownie sundae!
And if you’re in LA, try out KindKreme for their waffle sundae and smoothies.
Just google ‘vegan ice cream, your city‘ and you’re well on your way to brain-freeze-bliss!
3. Opt for sorbet!
If you’re at a ‘regular’ ice cream shop, you don’t have to feel left out! Choose one of their fruity, refreshing sorbets.
They’re almost always dairy free; just ask!
4. Make your own!
If you’re looking for a fun summer activity to do with kids, there’s nothing better than making your own vegan ice cream!
I don’t have an ice cream maker, but if you do, oh boy, are you in for a treat! Check out these 29 Amazing Vegan Ice Cream Recipes from Buzzfeed!
I’m obsessed with lavender, so I really want the Lavender Banana-Coconut flavor!
Want to see even more vegan ice cream recipes and ideas? Check out this Taste Spotting page!
So what are we waiting for, people? Let’s all go out and find some vegan ice cream to start this summer off right!
I scream, you scream, we all scream for vegan ice cream!
Sarah
P.S. Since writing this post, TCBYs all over the country have started carrying vegan frozen yogurt! Find a store near you!
What I Vegan 
Thank you! I’m in Charleston today and was looking for vegan ice cream spots! Now I’ve found them with help from this post! 🙂