15 Ice Cream Flavors That Only Existed Once
These ice cream flavors were bold, strange, and unforgettable, but they only appeared once before vanishing into dessert history.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Ice cream has always been a playground for culinary creativity, with some makers pushing the boundaries of taste. From ranch dressing to lobster chunks, these flavors shocked, amused, or baffled those brave enough to try them. While many of these creations were limited-time stunts, they reveal how food experimentation can capture attention, even if the flavors never return.
1. Cheetos Ice Cream (Big Gay Ice Cream, 2018)
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New York’s Big Gay Ice Cream shocked fans by releasing a one-day-only Cheetos ice cream. It featured vanilla soft serve topped with crushed Cheetos for a bizarre mix of sweet and salty. While some people loved the unexpected crunch, most agreed it was more of a novelty than a repeat-worthy treat.
2. Pizza Ice Cream (Little Baby’s, 2013)
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Philadelphia’s experimental ice cream shop, Little Baby’s, once created a pizza flavor that blended tomato, basil, oregano, and garlic. It was a daring attempt to turn a savory dish into a frozen dessert. The shop was known for pushing boundaries, and this flavor became infamous before disappearing forever.
3. Crocodile Egg Ice Cream (Philippines, 2012)
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In Davao City, a small creamery made ice cream using crocodile egg yolks instead of chicken eggs. It tasted rich and creamy, with a custard-like texture that made it surprisingly enjoyable. The limited production and exotic ingredient kept it from ever becoming a regular menu item.
4. Licorice Pizza Ice Cream (Baskin-Robbins, 1970s)
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Baskin-Robbins once launched Licorice Pizza ice cream, a black licorice base swirled with candy “toppings.” It was an attempt to ride the pizza craze but in frozen dessert form. The unusual mix was polarizing, leading to its quick retirement.
5. Bourbon and Cornflake Ice Cream (MilkMade, 2014)
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New York subscription-based brand MilkMade tested a flavor using bourbon and caramelized cornflakes. It combined childhood cereal nostalgia with a grown-up boozy kick. The flavor had a small cult following but was never produced again.
6. Bacon and Egg Ice Cream (Heston Blumenthal, 2008)
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Chef Heston Blumenthal created bacon and egg ice cream as part of his experimental dining menus in England. The ice cream actually included real bacon and was served alongside French toast. It was a culinary stunt more than a mainstream flavor, lasting only for a short period.
7. Ranch Dressing Ice Cream (Van Leeuwen, 2023)
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Van Leeuwen collaborated with Hidden Valley to make a limited-time ranch dressing ice cream. The flavor was creamy, tangy, and herb-infused, just like the salad topping. It gained viral attention but never returned after its release.
8. Creamed Cod Ice Cream (Harrods, 2011)
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London’s famous department store Harrods shocked shoppers with creamed cod ice cream. It was fish-based and intended more for publicity than regular eating. Few people wanted seconds, ensuring it was quickly discontinued.
9. Pickled Mango Ice Cream (Manila, Philippines, 2015)
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A local festival in Manila featured a one-time pickled mango ice cream. The tart, salty-sweet flavor divided those who tried it. It was created specifically for the event and never mass-produced.
10. Lobster Ice Cream (Ben & Bill’s, 1988)
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In Bar Harbor, Maine, Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium invented lobster ice cream by mixing butter-flavored ice cream with chunks of lobster. It became a tourist attraction rather than a long-term menu item. Though still occasionally requested, it was only formally made once as a trial.
11. Sweet Corn and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (Cornell Dairy, 2001)
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Cornell University’s Dairy Bar produced a sweet corn and chocolate chip ice cream as part of an agricultural experiment. The flavor highlighted the farm-to-dairy connection. Despite its creative twist, it was never put into regular production.
12. Jalapeño Ice Cream (Texas State Fair, 2007)
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The Texas State Fair is known for wild food experiments, including jalapeño ice cream. It mixed the heat of chili peppers with creamy sweetness. The strange contrast was fun to try but did not return in later fairs.
13. Beer and Pretzel Ice Cream (New Belgium Brewing x Häagen-Dazs, 2012)
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Häagen-Dazs collaborated with New Belgium Brewing to make a beer and pretzel flavor. It combined chocolate-covered pretzel pieces with a malty ice cream base. The flavor was marketed as a one-time-only release and has not reappeared since.
14. Durian Ice Cream (Singapore, 1990s)
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Some shops in Singapore experimented with durian ice cream during the 1990s, using the infamous “king of fruits.” While durian lovers enjoyed it, others found the smell unbearable. Because of mixed reception, it was quietly retired.
15. Christmas Tree Ice Cream (Salt & Straw, 2019)
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Portland-based Salt & Straw made a Christmas tree ice cream using pine needles steeped in cream. It was paired with candied citrus to mimic holiday flavors. The flavor was only available for one holiday season before vanishing.