Grocery Store Holiday Ice Cream Flavors Ranked, Worst To Best

When it comes to seasonal desserts, pies, cookies, and candies tend to come to mind. While pumpkin pie is often the default, pecan pie reigns supreme in many households and was even the top holiday pie in three states in 2018, per a SurveyMonkey poll (via Insider). As Thanksgiving table-scapes fade away and Christmas trees roll in, Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, gingerbread, and peppermint bark are often served right alongside a slice of pumpkin pie. 

While the vast majority of the world will never see a white Christmas, according to The Weather Channel, ice cream rarely makes the cut as a holiday dessert. Of course, that hasn't stopped just about every ice cream brand from releasing its own selection of seasonal flavors. From fresh peppermint to creamy pumpkin, some brands do a better job of delivering around the holidays than others. Keep reading as we take a look at some of the best and worst holiday ice cream flavors you'll find at the grocery store this time of year.

If there is such a thing as a signature holiday ice cream flavor, it would no doubt be peppermint. This time of year, every ice cream manufacturer cranks out its own rendition of this seasonal classic. Some do so better than others. Edy's Ice Cream once had a corner on the flavor, and its pink-hued peppermint flavor was known for being full of peppermint pieces that popped with festive flavor (via Second Scoop). 

However, in recent years, customers have complained that Edy's altered its once-classic recipe. A common observation is that the ice cream is now white rather than pink and lacks the chunks of peppermint bites it once had. Other reviews note that even finding this flavor can be a challenge. Whether you spot this blue pint on a freezer shelf or not, if you love peppermint ice cream, we recommend holding out for one of the many other options further down on this list.

For more than 85 years, Turkey Hill has been serving up classic ice cream flavors in tubs and pints across the country. The brand is responsible for a delicious classic choco mint chip, creamy chocolate peanut butter cup, and a rich butter pecan. But the brand also churns out a few seasonal flavors each year to compete with those classics.

One flavor that arrives on shelves this time of year is egg nog (via Cub). This limited-edition flavor features eggnog-flavored ice cream, swirled with spicy nutmeg and rum flavoring. It's a simple, straightforward take on the flavor — nothing you wouldn't also taste in a standard eggnog in its liquid form.

Eggnog can already be an acquired taste. If you're someone who thinks that Christmas doesn't start until this creamy, sugary, sometimes alcoholic drink arrives on the scene, you'll probably like it in ice cream form and enjoy Turkey Hill's rendition. If you don't love eggnog, we suggest you stick to the other seasonal options on this list.

If Mayfield's pumpkin pie ice cream is the safe, predictable option, Jeni's boozy eggnog is the opposite. Ever since it opened in 2002, Jeni's has been known for pushing the envelope with its unique, contemporary artisan flavors. In fact, just last March, the company re-released its news-worthy flavor, Everything Bagel, receiving praise from many fans (via PR Newswire). 

For a company that created a cream cheese-flavored ice cream and swirled in what it described as "everything bagel gravel," an eggnog-flavored dessert doesn't sound that groundbreaking. But this isn't your average 'nog. Jeni's boozy eggnog features a silky egg custard that's infused with a hint of nutmeg. While rum is usually the alcohol of choice for spiking eggnog, Jeni's opted to add a splash of Uncle Nearest whiskey instead. This small-batch whiskey is made in Tennessee and is named after the first African American master distiller.

The boozy flavor is pretty strong in every bite of this quirky ice cream, so keep this one away from the kids (via David's Ice Cream Reviews). But if you like eggnog or even the flavor of whiskey, this is one ice cream that's certain to get you in the mood for a holiday party.

Talenti's take on peppermint ice cream is another middle-of-the-road version of this seasonal favorite. Talenti peppermint bark gelato starts with a white chocolate peppermint gelato that's creamy and well-balanced. Then, it's swirled with semi-sweet chocolate flakes that add a little texture. The result is a milky, minty pint that won't overwhelm — even if you aren't a huge fan of peppermint flavors (via Junk Banter).

Like many Talenti flavors, every pint of this seasonal favorite is hormone-free, HFCS-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and kosher, making it a great choice if you're looking for a flavor to share with friends. However, many reviewers feel that the Talenti flavor fell a bit flat. To start, it's called peppermint bark but it lacks any real crunch. The chocolate flakes are a nice touch but not enough to elevate this beyond a mint chocolate flavor. While it might not be the worst take on peppermint, if you're expecting a crunchy, minty mix, we think you'll find better options elsewhere in the freezer aisle.

Eggnog and even Mexican hot chocolate aren't exactly shocking flavors for ice cream, but this next seasonal selection from Jeni's is a bit more unique. Jeni's cranberry crumble is based on a side dish that's often more of a holiday table decoration than a popular choice to eat. This interesting option starts with a brightly flavored cranberry cream that's mixed with real cranberries, walnuts, and a deliciously sweet brown sugar and oat crisp.

If you think that you know cranberries, think again. While the flavor stays true to its namesake, it lacks the overt sour tartness of cranberries (via Milled). The sugary sweet flavor is well-balanced by the oven-baked brown sugar oat streusel and the crunchy walnuts. While this flavor is available in Jeni's ice cream parlor locations too, it's one that you'll probably want to enjoy on its own rather than as a flight or in a mixed cone. As one reviewer put it, while the flavor is tasty with lots of great texture, it doesn't mix well with Jeni's other popular, contemporary flavors (via Yelp).

Ben and Jerry's knows a thing or two about creating delicious, unique ice cream flavors. That's likely one of the qualities that landed the brand at the top of the list of best store-bought ice creams. The company is constantly cranking out new flavors or bringing back old favorites. This past fall, one of its most popular seasonal flavors rejoined the lineup, just as it has every year since 2007. 

Ben & Jerry's pumpkin cheesecake ice cream is a creamy pumpkin concoction. The smooth ice cream is swirled with graham crackers, adding some tasty crunch. The flavor may be simple, but reviewers say that it's perfectly done (via Junk Banter). Actual pumpkin is used in the base, followed by perfect hints of seasonal spices, like nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon, and a smooth cream cheese finish.

Available in pints, this flavor is created as a limited batch each year, and as a result, it consistently sells out. So, if you're hoping to get your hands on a pint, buy it early in the season before it disappears for another year.

While we've covered a few less-than-perfect attempts at peppermint, this seasonal grocery store selection is a delicious alternative. Häagen-Dazs has been known to push the boundaries in the past, even creating one of the first booze-infused ice creams available in stores. But its peppermint bark ice cream is a limited-edition seasonal flavor that sticks to the classics, with delicious results.

Häagen-Dazs peppermint bark consists of a rich and creamy white chocolate ice cream base, blended with heaps of crunchy, crushed pieces of chocolate-covered peppermint bark and peppermint candy pieces. The ice cream itself is wonderfully rich and creamy, while the peppermint pieces add both texture and a mouth-tingling finish.

If you prefer ice cream treats over pints, you're in luck. Häagen-Dazs peppermint bark ice cream bars feature the same creamy white chocolate ice cream. Instead of swirls of candy pieces, the bars are dipped in a thick layer of dark chocolate that's sprinkled with crunchy peppermint candies. While you'll likely find pints of Häagen-Dazs peppermint bark ice cream at most grocery stores this time of year, you might have to shop for the holiday ice cream bars at Costco.

Rounding out our list of the best grocery store holiday ice creams is a flavor that combines two iconic seasonal treats. Breyers frozen peppermint hot chocolate features a rich cocoa-flavored ice cream that's swirled with real peppermint extract. Unlike most of the peppermint options on this list, this flavor is a chocolate lover's dream thanks to the decadent chocolate base that tastes like a frosty frozen version of your favorite cup of hot chocolate.

The cocoa ice cream features swirls of dark chocolate that help to balance the natural peppermint extract – no toothpaste flavors here (via Best Products). Breyers sticks to colors and flavors made from natural sources, so you can feel good about what you're eating while digging into this top seasonal option. Plus, Breyers is a classic grocery store ice cream that's often much cheaper than new trendier brands, making this a great affordable option to share with the whole family.