Some of my sweetest summer memories take me back to Lake Michigan, visiting my grandparents. After a day at the beach, we’d always stop for ice cream — and I’d head straight for the Blue Moon. That bright robin’s egg blue, with its mysterious, can’t-quite-place-it flavor (was it vanilla? bubblegum?) was pure magic.
Now that I call Michigan home, ice cream still feels like the flavor of summer. From Up North to Downriver, local shops are serving up some of the best Michigan ice cream flavors that spark joy for all ages.
So which flavors are families loving most right now?
What are Best Michigan ice cream flavors to try at local scoop shops?
We recently made a stop at House of Ice Cream and More in New Baltimore, where Jordan, age 9 and the son of one of our writers, Kari, took on the very important task of flavor tasting.
With thoughtful deliberation and a big smile, he sampled four of the best Michigan ice cream flavors that just about sum up summer in a cone:
- Superman: fluorescent swirls of lemon yellow, strawberry red and bubblegum blue — this bold Michigan original is all about fun, flavor and color. Jordan didn’t know quite what to make of it. He struggled to pinpoint the flavors but didn’t mind taste testing his way through the mystery.
- Blue Moon: the same mysterious, creamy flavor I fell for as a kid — nostalgia in a scoop. Jordan definitely picked up on the vanilla, but did he taste bubblegum too?
- Mackinac Island Fudge: ribbons of chewy, fudgy chocolate folded into vanilla ice cream, inspired by the island’s famous sweet shops. This one was new to Jordan and he loved the texture of those rich chocolate pieces.
- Michigan Pot Hole: black-tar fudge in chocolate ice cream, with chunks of chocolate asphalt and a hint of peanut butter. This was Jordon’s favorite by a mile — he couldn’t get enough of the chocolate-plus-chocolate-plus-chocolate combo.
Each flavor is a local legend (often from Michigan creameries like Ashby’s or Guernsey), and most shops offer their own twist — mix-ins or fresh-made waffle cones.
Scoop it at home: What Michigan flavors can be found in the freezer aisle?
You don’t have to leave home to explore Michigan ice cream. Local freezer-aisle favorites bring the scoop-shop experience to your kitchen:
- Hudsonville Ice Cream (Holland, MI): Look for flavors like Sleeping Bear Dunes Bear Hug (chocolate ice cream with cashews and caramel ribbons) and Windmill Cookie Butter (spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and ginger).
- Stroh’s (Detroit original): Find classics like Vanilla Bean and my favorite Blue Moon, plus Chocolate Moose Tracks and Sea Salt Caramel, fan favorites here in Michigan, according to Ryan Hagemeyer, Brand Manager at Dean’s County Fresh & Stroh’s for Dairy Farmers of America.
- Want to keep the scoop-shop vibe going at home? Ask for hand-packed pints of your favorite flavors to stash in the freezer — most local ice cream shops offer take-home options so you can enjoy that same creamy goodness tomorrow. Or the next day!
Why do Michigan scoops taste so good?
It’s not just fun flavors that make Michigan ice cream shine — it’s our dairy heritage. With around 850 dairy farms and over 100 processing plants, most of the milk used in Michigan-made ice cream is fresher and closer to home — often processed and on shelves within just 48 hours.
“Michigan is one of the top dairy-producing states in the U.S.,” says Hagemeyer. “The abundance of fresh, high-quality milk, combined with Michigan’s warm summers, it’s no wonder Michigan is a great place to enjoy rich, creamy and locally crafted ice cream.”
Sweet takeaway (plus: did Stroh’s really invent Superman ice cream?)
Whether you’re road-tripping for a scoop or grabbing a pint at the grocery store, Michigan’s ice cream scene is bursting with flavor and heart.
Take the Michigan Summer Dairy Bucket List Challenge, explore new spots and flavors and share your family’s favorites on social.
Finally, we have the answer to the question every Michigan ice cream lover asks: Did Stroh’s create the Superman flavor? Ryan Hagemeyer provides an answer: “While we would love to claim as truth, we cannot provide any proof to this Michigan lore.”
This content is sponsored by United Dairy Industry of Michigan / Milk Means More. Learn more at milkmeansmore.org.
Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s How to Get Kids to Eat Healthy.
