Will vanilla be your choice of flavor on National Ice Cream Day, which is Sunday, July 21?
That's the favorite flavor of most Americans, surveys have found.
Vanilla came in No. 1 on delivery service Instacart's analysis of orders from June to August 2023. During that time, 29% of Instacart orders included vanilla ice cream, the company says. That result parallels the findings by online research firm YouGov's 2022 survey of favorite ice cream flavors, which found vanilla as the most-liked, in general, and the favorite flavor by the most survey respondents.
In both reports, chocolate came in No. 2, while cookies and cream took third place in Instacart orders, but mint chocolate chip was No. 3 in YouGov's survey.
Vanilla is great on its own, but it can be combined with syrups, fruit and other ingredients to make milk shakes, smoothies and sundaes. Speaking of which, is it a coincidence President Reagan declared National Ice Cream Day would be celebrated on the third Sunday of July – get it, sundae? He also declared July as National Ice Cream Month.
Here's a roundup of deals for those frosty holidays. Remember, local foodie spots may have specials, too, so check their social media accounts.
Here's the scoop:10 best indie ice cream shops across the US
Dairy Queen
Members of the DQ Rewards loyalty program can get a free Dilly Bar on Sunday, July 21, with any DQ Rewards order of $1 or more. To get the deal, download the DQ App and sign up for DQ Rewards.
Cold Stone Creamery
Members of the My Cold Stone Club Rewards program get $5 off any purchase of $10 (before taxes) through Tuesday, July 23 on purchases in stores, online and in the app. Text FLOAT24 to LOVEIT and the reward will be loaded to your account.
National Ice Cream Day: More deals for scoops, cups and cones
- 7-Eleven: Members of the 7Rewards loyalty program can get 7-Select Ice Cream Sandwiches for just $1 through July 23. Become a loyalty member by downloading the 7-Eleven app from the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting 7Rewards.com.
- Baskin-Robbins: Get $5 off any order of $20 or more in the BR App with code SEIZETHEYAY - or get a coupon in the BR App to redeem in-shop - Sunday, July 21, to Saturday, July 27.
- Burger King: Throughout the month of July, which is National Ice Cream Month, members of the Royal Perks loyalty program can get a soft serve cone or cup for 150 Crowns instead of the regular 250 crowns.
- Carvel: Get $6 off orders of $35 or more on Uber Eats and DoorDash (for DashPass subscribers only) from July 18th to July 21st. The ice cream maker also recently added new Camp Carvel merchandise to its online store.
- Coffee Mate: Give your morning jolt an ice cream-flavored boost with Coffee Mate's limited-time seasonal Orange Cream Pop Flavored Duo Creamer. But you won't be able to buy it in stores. Limited quantities will be available online Monday, July 22, starting at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT for $2.17 including shipping (a discount of more than $1 over store prices for typical seasonal flavors).
- Crispy Cones: Get 50% off all pints ordered on the company's website during July. And on Saturday, July 20, get $1 ice cream cups in stores (comes with 1 topping and 1 sauce).
- Dippin’ Dots: The dessert maker is giving away free mini cups of the beaded ice cream treat at 120 locations nationwide on Sunday, July 21. The freebies will be given out during a two hour window, so check with your local store to see when the giveaway is. Find a location here. You can also get 25% off all online orders on Sunday, July 21. Just use promo code nicd2024 at checkout.
- DoorDash: From July 18-24, subscribers to the delivery service'sDashPass plan– you get unlimited $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders; starts at $9.99 monthly or $96 annually – get $6 off when you buy two of any Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Talenti, Popsicle, Good Humor, Klondike, Yaso, and Breyers products.
- Friendly's: You can get 89-cent single scoop cones through Sunday, July 21, at all of its 100-plus locations to celebrate the restaurant chain's 89th Founder’s Day – the first shop opened in Springfield, Mass., in 1935 – and National Ice Cream Day (July 21).
- Gopuff: Get a free pint of Talenti Gelato with the purchase of $30 or more on National Ice Cream Day, Sunday, July 21. (Offer automatically applies at checkout. Flavors and availability vary by market. While supplies last.) And there's more Ice Cream Week deals through July 21 including 30% off select Magnum, Bomb Pop, ICEE, & Yasso products and more.
- Graeter's: Get the ice cream maker's app for an $1.59 single dip sugar cone offer, good through Sunday, July 21. Also, if you order online through Sunday, get 10% off your order with the code USATODAY10 (order must be shipped by September 30).
- Insomnia Cookies: From Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21, members of the Insomnia Rewards loyalty program can get a free cup of ice cream (two scoops) with any purchase. Insomnia Rewards members also get 2X rewards points all week.
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: Limited-time flavors including Flutternutter Pie – roasted peanut butter and vanilla marshmallow ice creams with oat pie crust pieces – are available for $8 per pint from Saturday, July 20, to Aug. 2 (33% off, while supplies last). Members of Jeni’s Splendid Rewards loyalty program get early access on Friday, July 19.
- Kind Snacks: The nutritional snack company is giving away a year's supply of Kind Frozen Treat Bars. To enter, go to the Kind Snacks Instagram page and share the contest post before Sunday, July 21. Then follow @kindsnacks, tag three friends and comment "🍦." To get a bonus entry share the post to your story.
- Klimon: Hankering for ice cream, but without the dairy? The maker of almond milk-based ice cream will send 10 winners a delivery with all seven of its flavors for National Ice Cream Day. Go to the Klimon's Instagram post and like the post, Follow @klimonbrand and tag 2 friends in the comments (you can tag an unlimited amount for additional entries), then share this post on your story. All winners will be selected by end of the day Sunday, July 21, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
- Marble Slab Creamery: Get a free small cup of ice cream on Sunday, July 21, when you buy a small cup or larger in stores. And throughout July, get $5 off Ice Cream Cakes with the code CAKE24.
- McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams: Get 15% off all pints on the company's website when you order from Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21, with the promo code NICD24 at checkout. And at its California scoop shops, when you buy 3 pints, get 1 free.
- My/Mochi Ice Cream: The dessert brand, which wraps icecream in a sweet mochi rice dough, has a sweet giveaway timed to National Ice Cream Day with prizes including free My/Mochi for a year (52 boxes) and prize packages with an inflatable pool or cooler. Just follow My/Mochi on Instagram, like the giveaway post (it hits on Friday, July 19) and comment with your favorite flavor or one you want to try (emojis encouraged).
- Nescafé: Drafting on the TikTok trend showcasing the coffee and ice cream dish affogato, the instant coffee brand is giving away limited-edition Nescafé Affogato Kits through July 22. Enter on the Nescafé website; winners get a jar of Nescafé Gold Espresso Intense Instant Coffee, a coupon for free ice cream, recipe card, glass coffee mugs and spoons (no purchase necessary).
- Talenti Gelato: Make your own cooling co*cktail with the free Case of the Mondaes kit, available via DoorDash Friday, July 19, to Monday, July 22, in Chicago, Dallas, and New York City (while supplies last).The freebie comes with Talenti's Summer Strawberry Sorbetto, De Soi Très Rosé Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Aperitif, freeze dried strawberry slices, white chocolate shavings, and freeze-dried edible flowers.No minimum purchase needed (service fees, such as delivery, still apply).
- Yogurtland: Members of the frozen yogurt chain's Real Rewards loyalty program get double points on Sunday, July 21, for online or in-store orders (offer does not apply to third-party delivery orders and gift card purchases; allow up to 24 hours for points to be applied).
Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads:@mikesnider& mikegsnider.
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