Frozen Treats to Try Before Summer’s End
The dog days of summer are upon us. Sure, the polar vortex was a nice break from the oppressive heat, but before long, the DMV’s signature humidity will once again remind us of how unfortunate living on swampy terrain can be. Okay, so D.C. wasn’t actually built on a swamp, but tell me that when it’s 95+ degrees outside and I feel like I’m swimming rather than walking. Then I’d be willing to accept that myth as fact.
To help ease the smothering weight of the late-August air, here’s a list of frozen treats to get you through the rest of summer. Bonus points if you try these all in one day:
1. Sno Balls from Bayou Bakery
Served in takeout boxes, these shaved ice treats are flavored with your pick of syrup and finished off with a healthy drizzling of condensed milk. Tip: eat quickly before the sno ball melts through the paper container. What’s worst, a brain freeze or a soggy mess on your hands?
2. Pop Tart Ice Cream Sandwich from Ted’s Bulletin
An off-the-menu item, pair any homemade pop tart flavor with your favorite ice cream to create your own personalized ice cream sandwich. You can’t go wrong with a breakfast-dessert combination.
3. Gelato from Dolcezza factory
Located up the street from Union Market, visit this gelato factory and enjoy everything from coffee floats to scoops of fresh gelato to frozen push pops. If you’re here on the weekend, stop in for a free factory tour and get a behind the scenes look at the gelato-making process.
4. Sno Cones at Mio
The classic carnival treat gets an alcoholic twist at this Latin American inspired restaurant. Available on the patio and at the bar, order up a Puerto Rican shaved ice with flavors including lime, tamarind and pineapple and spice things up with a splash or two (or three) of rum.
5. Slushitos at Estadio
Alcoholic slushies? Say no more. With two flavors on the menu (current flavors: cranberry, gin, anise and cava; and ginger, bourbon, lager and brown sugar) these frozen cocktails are the perfect brunch libation. Note: Be prepared to find the serving size to be on the smaller end.
6. Alcoholic Slushies at Eat the Rich
More alcoholic slushies? You don’t have to twist my arm … With five different flavors to choose from and made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, cool off with everything from a frozen daqiuri to a concoction of rye whiskey, blackberries, lemon, honey and crushed ice.
7. Tropical Drinks from Jack Rose’s Tiki Bar
Escape the city and make like you’re on a Hawaiian getaway at Jack Rose’s rooftop bar. With Polynesian-themed drinks and a great atmosphere, slip away from city life, if only for a few hours. Note: this Thursday is the last Tiki Thursday to enjoy half-price cocktails during happy hour from 5-8 p.m.
A native of Northern Virginia, Lanna is a full-time marketing professional. Outside her cube, she can be found roaming D.C. for the perfect brunch spots, discovering new restaurants and trying to recreate all of her mom’s recipes. When she’s not out finding new ways to expand her waistline, you can catch her at her favorite spin studio attempting to offset her foodie appetite.