Ice Cream 26/27: Sector Outlook
Published 03 December 2025
More than ever, ice cream is an outlet for radical flavour experimentation, with brands creating savoury gelatos, lust-worthy options stuffed with indulgent add-ins and even wine and ice cream pairing menus. Alongside this, brands are catering for today’s health-conscious consumers looking for a frozen sweet treat while hitting their wellness goals.
Expanding Frozen Flavours
The New Functional Ice Cream
Scoop Service & Spaces
The flavour remit for ice cream is evolving, with brands playing with unusual savoury and piquant ingredients. Others are upping the indulgence quotient via decadent pastry, cake and cookie chunks and alcoholic additions.
The flavour remit for ice cream is evolving, with brands playing with unusual savoury and piquant ingredients. Others are upping the indulgence quotient via decadent pastry, cake and cookie chunks and alcoholic additions.
Following the boom in low-calorie better-for-you ice cream pints, personified by brands like Halo Top (US), ice cream brands are evolving to meet today’s wellness priorities. This includes providing treats for the protein-obsessed consumer and helping people lower their sugar intake and boost their vitamin consumption.
A new wave of immersive, design-forward ice cream shops are pushing the boundaries of the traditional gelateria. Elsewhere, forward-thinking hospitality operators are pairing ice cream with alcohol, providing a new elevated consumption occasion for the frozen treat.
Ice Cream 26/27: Sector Outlook
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