In today’s fast-paced world, people often seek ways to escape their daily routines and stress. Experiential dining offers a break from reality and has captivated consumers by creating lasting impressions by engaging all your senses with interactive elements and themed concepts.

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, 97% of Americans love or like ice cream and are looking for new and exciting ice cream experiences. Fresh flavors and formats are the key. To put an innovative twist on ice cream flavors this year, we combined macro trends with experiential dining.

Scoop Your Mood

Mood-inspired food and beverages are sought after because it promises to help consumers achieve a desired state of mind. From relaxed and calm to adventurous and excited, flavors can capture the essence of moods.

According to a new Synergy Flavors survey, consumers are actively trying to improve physical and emotional health, as well as stress relief with functional ingredients in food and drink. Both men and women are looking at these areas for improvement. Wellness is always a focus for older generations, but we found 18-29-year-olds are just as interested in stress relief as those in their 40s, and emotional wellness is equally important to those in their 30s and 60s.

In the market, Magnum launched mood-inspired flavors called Wonder, Euphoria and Chill, and Nightfood’s magnesium ice cream claims to be “formulated for a better night’s sleep.”

Nostalgia and Adventure

 Nostalgia is a powerful emotional trigger that influences consumer preferences and purchasing decisions. In our recent survey, 56% of consumers want more nostalgic products and experiences. The top categories for nostalgic purchases are food, drink and entertainment.

Summer road trips evoke childhood memories, symbolize tradition, offer a sense of freedom, and deliver new experiences and social connections. Road trips in the summer are often taken to iconic destinations like US National Parks. In fact, more than 325 million people visited the parks in 2023.

We ideated ice cream flavors that bring these parks to life, including a Prickly Pear & Kiwi Ice Cream Bar for the Grand Canyon, Tropical Superman for Yellowstone National Park, and a Mandarin Passionfruit Ice Cream Bar that draws on the colors of The Narrows at Zion National Park.

Indulge Your Senses

Chefs continue to experiment with fusion cuisine, blending elements from different culinary traditions to create innovative and exciting dishes that attract adventurous eaters. Global cuisine-inspired ice cream products have become a popular trend, showcasing unique flavors and ingredients from various cultures.

In Latin America, 50% of consumers are enjoying ice cream at least once per week and are looking for indulgence. From chilled desserts to ice cream, dulce de leche is loved in Latin America. It’s in the top four flavors and popular for a wide range of food products in the area because of its indulgent flavor and texture.

In Thailand, 66% of consumers are influenced by taste and flavor of ice cream. The top local favorites include strawberry, lychee and milk chocolate. Fruits and berries are also popular with blueberry being the fastest-growing flavor.

Flavors of the Season

Seasonal flavors are popular because of their connection to specific times of the year. In spring and summer, flavors are tied to fresh and available ingredients. Fall and winter flavors offer a sense of nostalgia and anticipation of upcoming holidays.

To put a seasonal twist on ice cream, we ideated flavors that embody the essence of the season. Spring tastes like a Pomegranate Limoncello Spritz Sorbet. The heat of summer calls for a Miami Vice Electrolyte Popsicle. The crisp fall air has us falling for a Spiced Honey Pear Crisp, and the holidays of winter have us celebrating with a Gingerbread Tiramisu.

To learn more about these macro trend experiences via innovative ice cream concepts that appeal to the senses, emotions and creates a social connection, contact us for a demonstration.

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