This Travel-Inspired Gourmet Ice Cream Is the Summer Escape I’ve Been Craving
If, like me, you’ve been feeling stuck at home this summer, you’re probably relying on food and flavors to transport you to faraway destinations. The right tastes can really take you places, which is why I’ve been taking Airbnb’s virtual cooking classes hosted by international food experts and sipping Pimm’s cups that bring to mind delightful English summer afternoons. More recently, I discovered Marco Sweets & Spices, a brand-new DTC ice cream brand that creates delicious confections inspired by the founder’s travels. I simply lift the lid, tuck my spoon in, and I’m off on a sweet escape (at least for a few minutes!).
Currently, Marco offers five unique ice cream flavors that are unlike anything you’ll find in your grocery aisle. Thai Coco-Lime is a coconut-lime blend with a heady chile powder kick that lingers; Aztec Chocolate is truly decadent, beautifully laced with cinnamon and lightly spiked with chile; Vanilla Chai tastes like a chai tea latte (but better!) and pairs incredibly well with freshly baked banana bread; Ginger Dreamsicle is a twist on a Creamsicle that blends orange and ginger with a hint of cardamom; and Spicy PB Caramel combines the spicy-sweet flavors of peanut butter, caramel, Aleppo pepper, and chile de árbol.
Just how good are they? My case of five pints didn’t last in the freezer for more than a week.
While Marco’s flavor profiles read like a dreamy travel itinerary, the ice cream is actually made right here in the United States (Brooklyn, to be precise) using high-quality, fresh ingredients. Each flavor is sold by the pint, and you can build your own case of four pints for $50, or $55 if you add one extra. The brand delivers every case to you in 100 percent compostable packaging, with not an ounce of plastic in sight. Keep in mind, though, that due to packaging requirements, Marco is currently only delivering to most states in the Midwest and Eastern parts of the U.S. (check here to find out if they ship to you).
I get it, Marco is a tad pricey when compared to grocery store ice creams, but this is gourmet-level stuff that’s equal parts fancy and scrumptious. And since I mostly fulfill my wanderlust by looking at my 2019 travel photos anyway, spending $50 to savor a spoonful of Thailand or Mexico while lounging in my stretchy pajamas sounds like a pretty great deal to me!