News Summary
As temperatures rise in Orange County, a variety of unique chilled treats are emerging to help locals and visitors beat the heat. From classic affogato and Korean bingsoo to dog-friendly gelato, this summer guide features the top cold desserts available in the area. Whether you’re looking for rich gelato, refreshing ice floats, or creative vegan options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the scorching months ahead.
Orange County Offers Delicious Chilled Treats This Summer
Orange County is gearing up for a hot summer, with temperatures soaring between 78 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. To beat the heat, a selection of unique, chilled treats has emerged that goes beyond traditional ice cream, providing refreshing options for locals and visitors alike. This guide highlights some of the best cold desserts available, particularly in inland areas where crowds are smaller compared to coastal spots.
Affogato
Head to Dripp in Fullerton for an Italian classic, the affogato. This delightful dessert features a scoop of ice cream or gelato drizzled with hot espresso. Customers can choose from options including vanilla, coffee, or strawberry ice cream, paired with either espresso or matcha for an added twist.
Bingsoo or Patbingsu
If you’re looking to try something new, Sul and Beans offers a Korean dessert called bingsoo, or patbingsu, at its Buena Park and Irvine locations. This finely shaved ice treat is topped with sweet red beans and chewy rice cakes, and it comes in a variety of flavors such as green tea, coffee, Oreo, taro, mango, and strawberry cheese.
Booza
For something unique, visit Filo Dessert Co. in Orange to try booza, a stretchy type of ice cream made from mastic resin originating from the Greek island of Chios. Flavors include pistachio, lemon-mint, Biscoff, banana, chocolate, and vanilla.
Chè Thái
In Westminster, Thạch Chè Hiển Khánh serves chè thái, a Vietnamese dessert that resembles a colorful fruit cocktail. This dairy-free treat consists of tropical fruits, green aiyu jelly, and red rubies, served with a large straw and spoon for easy enjoyment.
Dogelato
Pooch parents need not feel left out! Lucky Dog Gelato in San Clemente offers dog-friendly ice cream, ensuring that furry friends can enjoy a chilled treat on hot days.
Gelato
Those who prefer gelato can find a rich and creamy experience at Gelato Paradiso in Laguna Beach. With flavors like stracciatella, panna cotta, nocciola, menta, chocolate, and dark cherry, gelato fans will find plenty of choices to please their palates.
Ice Cream Float
Truly Pizza in Dana Point offers a delicious twist on the classic ice cream float, featuring a combination of ice cream mixed with a sweet carbonated beverage. Their featured Orange Creamsicle float combines Boylan Orange Soda with Strauss Creamery vanilla soft serve for a refreshing summer treat.
Italian Ice
Joe’s Italian Ice in Anaheim is the spot for fans of this frozen delight. Customers can pick from a variety of flavors, including blue raspberry, dreamsicle, peanut butter cup, and peachy kiwi, making it a fantastic choice for cooling down.
Matcha Mont Blanc
At Matcha Ren inside Mitsuwa Marketplace in Costa Mesa, visitors can sample the matcha mont blanc, a soft serve creation inspired by the French Mont Blanc cake, featuring matcha ice cream layered with chestnut paste.
Southern-style Ice Cream
Blue Scoop Creamery, with locations in Brea and Yorba Linda, places an emphasis on scratch-made Southern-style ice cream. Customers can customize their scoops with a variety of mix-ins for a truly personalized experience.
Vegan Ice Cream
Finally, Stella Jean’s offers a vegan-friendly option for those looking for unique flavors. Located in Costa Mesa, this ice cream shop presents flavors such as yuzu and poppyseed cake and kinako choco crunch, making it a great choice for those avoiding dairy.
With such a wide array of cold treats available, Orange County’s culinary scene welcomes everyone looking to indulge during the scorching summer months. No matter your preference, there’s something special waiting to be discovered that will help cool you down.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Register: Best Ice Creams
- Modern Luxury: Best Ice Cream in Orange County
- Locale Magazine: Best Ice Cream Shops in OC
- CBS News: OC Fair Food Favorites
- Time Out: Best Things to Do in Orange County
- Wikipedia: Ice Cream
- Google Search: Ice Cream History
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ice Cream
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
