10 Discontinued Ice Cream Flavors You May Remember
A nostalgic look at 10 delicious but discontinued ice cream flavors that once thrilled our taste buds—only to melt away into history.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Year after year, some of the most iconic and adored ice cream flavors have disappeared from freezers, leaving behind only sweet nostalgia. From tipple treats such as Ben & Jerry’s Dublin Mudslide to offbeat creations such as Baskin-Robbins’ Beatle Nut, these flavors once had us hooked but ended up melting into history. Either discontinued because of shifting trends or corporate choice, these lost scoops still have loyal followers dreaming of one last bite.
1. Ben & Jerry’s Wavy Gravy (1993–2001)
Image from Ben & Jerry’s
Named for the legendary Woodstock MC, this flavor was a caramel and cashew Brazil nut ice cream swirl with roasted almonds and a chocolate hazelnut fudge swirl. Owing to its nutty depth and trippy moniker, it enjoyed a cult following. Wavy Gravy disappeared in 2001, but only in rare special releases.
2. Haagen-Dazs Black Walnut (Retired in 2012)
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This one consisted of dense black walnut ice cream with a creamy, buttery flavor that was loved by traditional dessert fans. It was especially favored in the Midwest and the South, where black walnuts are a treat. Haagen-Dazs removed it from stores in 2012 without fanfare, leaving enthusiasts searching for a replacement.
3. Ben & Jerry’s Dublin Mudslide (2005–2012)
Image from Ben & Jerry’s
An inebriating treat, the flavor mixed Irish cream liqueur ice cream, coffee fudge swirls, and chunky chocolate cookie pieces. It was a riff on the drink classic, but unfortunately, it disappeared when Ben & Jerry’s began phasing out the alcoholic-inspired flavors. Though devotees still fondly recall its rich, chocolaty zing, it still hasn’t come back.
4. Dreyer’s/Edy’s Grand Light S’mores (Retired in 2013)
Image from Sun Fresh
This lighter ice cream was loaded with marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker whirls, embracing the spirit of a campfire snack. It was a treat for those seeking s’mores without the hassle (or the shame). It had great reviews but slipped off shelves quietly, leaving s’mores enthusiasts out in the cold.
5. Ben & Jerry’s Festivus (1997–2001, 2004)
Image from Reddit
Seinfeld-inspired, this holiday flavor consisted of brown sugar cinnamon ice cream, gingerbread cookies, and a ginger caramel swirl. It was first introduced as a limited-time flavor but was reintroduced in 2004 because of consumer demand. However, it didn’t stick around long, making it as rare as the Festivus holiday.
6. Baskin-Robbins Beatle Nut (1970s)
Image from The Daily Meal
A Beatles homage, this flavor included a blend of walnuts, Brazil nuts, and almonds in a creamy base. This popular flavor of the band’s heyday made nutty flavors more groovy. When the Beatles dropped out of the charts, so did this nutty homage.
7. Ben & Jerry’s Peanuts! Popcorn! (2000–2003)
Image from Ben & Jerry’s
This caramel-and-salty concoction combined caramel ice cream with peanuts, toffee-covered popcorn, and a swirl of caramel. It was a move to pack the magic of the movie theater snack into a pint, but it never achieved blockbuster status. Ben & Jerry’s retired it to the flavor graveyard in 2003, but many still hanker for its distinctive crunch.
8. Haagen-Dazs Crème Brûlée (Retired in 2016)
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This taste replicated the caramelized sugar crust and rich vanilla custard of the traditional French dessert. Although it enjoyed a loyal following, Haagen-Dazs discontinued it with little fanfare. Enthusiasts plead for its return, asserting no other company has come close to its smooth, burnt-sugar perfection.
9. Baskin-Robbins French Vanilla Bean (2010)
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Unlike regular vanilla, this one possessed an ultra-rich flavor with specks of actual vanilla bean. It was a classic for sundaes and milkshakes but somehow vanished from Baskin-Robbins’ menu. Fans still wonder why, as it was one of the brand’s most upscale vanilla flavors.
10. Ben & Jerry’s Economic Crunch (1987)
Image from Kansas City Pitch
Launched in reaction to the 1987 stock market crash, this tongue-in-cheek flavor consisted of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate-covered almonds, pecans, and walnuts. It was designed to bring comfort during economic turmoil, demonstrating that ice cream could be a dessert and a social commentary. However, like the economy itself, it later wavered out of business.