Italian ice, also called "water ice" or "Italian water ice," is an ice-based frozen treat crafted by churning a mixture of water, sugar, and fruit juices or flavors until it reaches a velvety texture similar to sorbet but with larger ice chunks churned at a slower rate. Thanks to its dairy and fat-free composition, Italian ice caters to a broad audience and offers a light and refreshing dessert. A unique option to add to concession stand menus, Italian ice captivates consumers with its vibrant flavors and delightful texture. Shop All Italian Ice Syrups Learn about the most popular Italian ice flavors: 1. Lemon Italian Ice 2. Cherry Italian Ice 3. Mango Italian Ice 4. Chocolate Italian Ice 5. Strawberry Italian Ice 6. Watermelon Italian Ice 7. Cotton Candy Italian Ice 8. Blue Raspberry Italian Ice 9. Root Beer Italian Ice 10. Coconut Italian Ice 1. Lemon Italian Ice Lemon Italian ice has a citrusy, sweet, and sour flavor beloved by those looking for a burst of tangy freshness from their frozen treat. The zesty taste of lemon Italian ice make it a perfect choice for hot summer days or as a palate cleanser between courses during a full course meal. From carnivals to fine dining, lemon Italian ice has a home in almost every setting, making it the most foundational flavor. Lemon Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Bright, citrus, tangy, sweet Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Lemon Ice: Lime Italian ice, raspberry Italian ice, strawberry Italian ice, mango Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Lemon Italian Ice: Pair lemon Italian ice with vanilla, orange, or strawberry gelato, custard, or soft serve to make a gelati. 2. Cherry Italian Ice Cherry Italian ice is a popular flavor that offers a balanced combination of sweet and tart cherry notes. It can be enjoyed solo or paired with other flavors to create unique combinations. One popular pairing is cherry Italian ice with blue raspberry and coconut Italian ice to make a red, white, and blue treat perfect for Fourth of July menus. Cherry Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Berry essences, sweet, tart Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Cherry Ice: Blue raspberry Italian ice, coconut Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Cherry Italian Ice: Chocolate, vanilla, stracciatella, pistachio, or amaretto gelato, custard, or soft serve pair well with cherry Italian ice in a gelati. 3. Mango Italian Ice With its vibrant and refreshing flavor profile, mango Italian ice is a perfect choice for commercial establishments looking to add a summery flavor to their menu offerings. It's particularly well-suited for Hawaiian-themed catering events, as it captures the essence of the islands with its juicy mango taste. Customers seeking a taste of the tropics will appreciate its juicy mango flavor. Mango Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Sweet, tropical, juicy Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Mango Ice: Coconut Italian ice, pineapple Italian ice, strawberry Italian ice, guava Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Mango Italian Ice: Creamy frozen desserts like soft serve, custard or gelato in coconut, vanilla, or lemon flavors pair well with mango Italian ice. 4. Chocolate Italian Ice Chocolate Italian ice is a beloved flavor that combines the refreshing consistency of traditional Italian ice with the rich and indulgent taste of chocolate. This classic flavor is a favorite among customers looking for a sweet treat that satisfies their chocolate cravings while providing a cool and refreshing experience. Some Italian ice syrup brands blend their chocolate syrup with hazelnut or coffee for a complex and indulgent taste experience. Chocolate Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Rich, caramel, creamy, nut essences Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Chocolate Ice: Coconut Italian ice, cherry Italian ice, caramel Italian ice, coffee Italian ice, orange Italian ice, banana Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Chocolate Italian Ice: Coconut, vanilla, coffee, salted caramel, moose tracks, or mint chip flavored custard, gelato, or soft serve pair well with chocolate Italian ice. 5. Strawberry Italian Ice With its vibrant color and fresh taste, strawberry Italian ice is a timeless classic that makes a visually appealing and delicious addition to any dessert menu. The natural sweetness of ripe strawberries shines through in every spoonful of this bright and tangy Italian ice. Whether served on its own or paired with other fruity flavors, such as lemon or mango, strawberry Italian ice is a versatile option beloved by both kids and adults. Strawberry Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Juicy, sweet, floral, berry Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Strawberry Ice: Lemon Italian ice, coconut Italian ice, chocolate Italian ice, banana Italian ice, and mango Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Strawberry Italian Ice: Strawberry Italian ice is complemented by chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or lemon gelato, custard, or soft serve in a gelati. 6. Watermelon Italian Ice Packed with juicy watermelon flavor, this Italian ice variant captures the essence of summer in every scoop. The vibrant pink color of watermelon Italian ice adds a visually appealing element to any dessert display, making it a great choice for attracting customers. Its light and fruity flavor profile makes it a perfect choice for cooling off on a hot day or as a sweet treat any time of year. Watermelon Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Refreshing, juicy, sweet, floral, cucumber essences Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Watermelon Ice: Lemon Italian ice, strawberry Italian ice, coconut Italian ice, cherry Italian ice, or lime Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Watermelon Italian Ice: Watermelon Italian ice goes well with vanilla, orange, or lemon gelato, custard, or soft serve in a gelati. 7. Cotton Candy Italian Ice Cotton candy Italian ice brings the fresh-from-the-carnival taste of cotton candy to your frozen dessert menu. It provides a refreshing twist to traditional candy, offering customers a unique and enjoyable treat. This whimsical flavor is perfect for mobile food vendors that service carnivals, adding a playful touch to their offerings. Cotton Candy Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Sugary, nostalgic Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Cotton Candy Ice: Bubble gum Italian ice, lemon Italian ice, watermelon Italian ice, coconut Italian ice, cherry Italian ice, strawberry Italian ice, blue raspberry Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Cotton Candy Italian Ice: Layer cotton candy Italian ice with vanilla, strawberry, or lemon gelato, custard, or soft serve to make a gelati. 8. Blue Raspberry Italian Ice Blue raspberry Italian ice is a popular flavor that combines a sweet yet tart taste profile. This vibrant blue-hued treat is a favorite among customers looking for a balance of sweetness and tanginess in their dessert selection. Whether served on its own or combined with other flavors, such as lemon or cherry, blue raspberry adds a pop of color and flavor to any dessert menu. Blue Raspberry Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Tart, ripe berry Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Blue Raspberry Ice: Lemon Italian ice, strawberry Italian ice, watermelon Italian ice, coconut Italian ice, cherry Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Blue Raspberry Italian Ice: Complement blue raspberry Italian ice by pairing it with vanilla, coconut, strawberry, or lemon flavored soft serve, gelato, or custard in a gelati. 9. Root Beer Italian Ice Root beer Italian ice combines the classic flavors of root beer with the cool and smooth texture of Italian ice. This Italian ice flavor captures the essence of traditional root beer by combining the classic flavors of vanilla and sassafras, resulting in a cool and satisfying treat that appeals to those looking for a nostalgic taste. Create a delightful twist on the classic root beer float by pairing root beer Italian ice with vanilla ice cream. Root Beer Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Vanilla, sassafras, caramel, cinnamon, anise, herbal, molasses, earthy Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Root Beer Ice: Vanilla Italian ice, chocolate Italian ice, caramel Italian ice, coconut Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Root Beer Italian Ice: For an updated root beer float, combine Italian ice with vanilla ice cream. 10. Coconut Italian Ice Coconut Italian ice is a delightful and refreshing frozen dessert offering a tropical twist to the classic Italian ice experience. It has a smooth and velvety texture that melts in your mouth, delivering a satisfying coconut cream consistency. This makes it a great option for those with dietary restrictions or preferences to enjoy either solo or mixed with other flavors to create a unique and delicious treat. Coconut Italian Ice Tasting Notes: Nutty, tropical, rich, creamy, sweet Italian Ice Flavors that Complement Coconut Ice: Pineapple Italian ice, mango Italian ice, lime Italian ice, blue raspberry Italian ice, chocolate Italian ice Best Gelati Combination for Coconut Italian Ice: Creamy coconut Italian ice is delicious paired with chocolate, mango, coffee, or strawberry flavored gelato, soft serve, or custard in a gelati. What Is a Gelati? While Italian ice is delicious on its own, a popular way to enjoy it is in a gelati. A gelati is a frozen dessert that alternates layers of Italian ice with gelato, custard, or soft serve. Some operators add ice cream toppings like fresh fruit, sundae sauces, and candies between the layers. Back to Top Italian Ice Syrup Brands Now that you know the most popular Italian ice flavors, you can choose the ideal syrups for your customer base. Below, we provide information on popular Italian ice syrup brands so you can make an informed purchasing decision. I. Rice and Company, INC Established in 1884 by Isidore Rice, I. Rice and Company has been under the private ownership and operation of the Steven Kuhl and Joseph DiMedio family for more than 35 years. The extensive experience accumulated over decades has positioned the company as a prominent manufacturer within the dessert and beverage sectors. I. Rice and Company is renowned for its Italian-style water ice bases, which are highly regarded in the industry. Average Price Point: $0.18 / Ounce Flavors: Lemon, cherry, mango, chocolate, strawberry, watermelon, cotton candy blue raspberry, root beer, coconut Philadelphia Water Ice Philadelphia Water Ice was established by brothers Ronald and Robert Kaleck during the summer of 1988. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they have garnered a reputation for being among the top Italian ice manufacturers in the industry. Through the years, they have broadened their product offerings to encompass soft-serve ice cream, hand-dipped ice cream, and a range of supplies for ice cream shops. Average Price Point: $0.16 / Ounce Flavors: Lemon, cherry, mango, strawberry, watermelon, cotton candy blue raspberry, root beer, coconut Disclaimer: The average price point is determined at the time of publication. Check product pages for current prices. Back to Top Use this list of the most popular Italian ice flavors to guide your purchasing decisions. Mixing in niche flavors like margarita and mint is great for season specials, but these 10 flavors should serve as year-round staples to attract and retain customers. From classic options like lemon and cherry to the tropical tastes of mango and coconut, the most ordered Italian ice flavors offer something for every palate.
