What Does America Scream For? Discover the Most Popular Ice Cream Flavor in Your State (2024)

Get the scoop from Instacart grocery shopping data.

Andrea Lobas has been exploring the food industry and media world for the past 15 years. She is an editor and writer for Allrecipes and has worked on projects for Simply Recipes, Serious Eats, The Spruce Eats, and more. Andrea is happy to bring her sense of adventure into home kitchens everywhere, trying each and every new trend along the way.

Allrecipes' editorial guidelines

The Top Ice Cream Flavors by State

Alabama: Chocolate
Alaska: Vanilla
Arizona: Vanilla
Arkansas: Vanilla
California: Rocky Road
Colorado: Vanilla
Connecticut: Chocolate
Delaware: Chocolate
Florida: Chocolate
Georgia: Vanilla
Hawaii: Coffee
Idaho: Mint Chip
Illinois: Vanilla
Indiana: Vanilla
Iowa: Moose Tracks
Kansas: Vanilla
Kentucky: Vanilla
Louisiana: Chocolate
Maine: Chocolate
Maryland: Vanilla
Massachusetts: Coffee
Michigan: Moose Tracks
Minnesota: Vanilla
Mississippi: Vanilla
Missouri: Vanilla
Montana: Rocky Road
Nebraska: Vanilla
Nevada: Rocky Road
New Hampshire: Chocolate
New Jersey: Chocolate
New Mexico: Coffee
New York: Chocolate
North Carolina: Chocolate
North Dakota: Vanilla
Ohio: Vanilla
Oklahoma: Vanilla
Oregon: Mint Chip
Pennsylvania: Mint Chip
Rhode Island: Coffee
South Carolina: Chocolate
South Dakota: Vanilla
Tennessee: Chocolate
Texas: Vanilla
Utah: Vanilla
Vermont: Chocolate
Virginia: Chocolate
Washington: Mint Chip
Washington, D.C.: Strawberry
West Virginia: Chocolate
Wisconsin: Moose Tracks
Wyoming: Vanilla

Vanilla Takes the Lead

With 21 states favoring vanilla, this classic, reliable flavor holds true. According to Laurentia Romaniuk, Instacart’s trends expert, “It’s no surprise most states in the country are partial to vanilla ice cream because it’s arguably the most versatile of them all. The luscious vanilla flavor effortlessly enhances a variety of desserts, whether it’s nestled in a chocolate sundae, paired à la mode with a slice of pie or cobbler, or simply savored in its pure form with a delightful sprinkle topping. As such, it holds the title of America’s favorite ice cream overall, and we don’t foresee it losing its lead anytime soon!” It is also worth noting that vanilla makes up 30 percent of all ice cream purchases through Instacart.

Chocolate Isn't Far Behind

The yin to vanilla's yang, chocolate—in all its rich, velvety glory—is the pick for 15 states on the East Coast. Each spoonful delivers blissful cocoa notes that melt into pure luxurious satisfaction that chocolate lovers enjoy by the gallon. Whether you are a vanilla or chocolate ice cream fan, you stand with over half the country.

The Flavors for the Rest of Us

But if you're like me, your top pick might lie outside the black-and-white dessert duel. Coincidentally, my choice—mint chocolate chip—actually aligns with my home state of Pennsylvania, plus three others in the Pacific Northwest. Four states went caffeinated with coffee, three states cheer for rocky road ice cream, and three Midwestern states are all in with moose tracks (a winning combo of vanilla ice cream with peanut butter cups and fudge swirls). That gives us a total of 50, though we can't leave out our nation's capital Washington, D.C., which throws in the lone vote for strawberry ice cream (someone had to complete the Neapolitan trio, right?!).

Instacart delivers 22 percent more ice cream per customer in July compared to the yearly average. And we can see why, between pool parties and barbecues, we are whipping up a lot of cold and creamy dishes to help us cool off. And ice cream is the perfect vehicle for all things summer, from a classic frozen layered cake to a Hot Fudge Ice Cream Bar to our top-rated milkshakes, and everything in between.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the food industry with over 15 years of exploration, I have delved into various aspects of the culinary world, gaining extensive knowledge and expertise. My experience includes serving as an editor and writer for reputable platforms such as Allrecipes, Simply Recipes, Serious Eats, and The Spruce Eats. I am Andrea Lobas, and my passion for the food industry has driven me to immerse myself in diverse projects, bringing a sense of adventure into kitchens worldwide.

Now, let's dissect the article on "Food News and Trends" that provides insights into ice cream preferences based on Instacart grocery shopping data. The author, Andrea Lobas, shares information on the top ice cream flavors by state, shedding light on the trends observed over the past 12 months (June 2022 to May 2023).

National Ice Cream Month:
- The article mentions that July is National Ice Cream Month, with National Ice Cream Day falling on July 16.
Instacart Grocery Shopping Data:
- The data analyzed by Instacart covers ice cream grocery orders at both the national and state levels, providing insights into the average share of orders for each flavor.
Top Ice Cream Flavors by State:
- The article lists the preferred ice cream flavors for each state, showcasing a variety of choices. For example:
  - Vanilla dominates in states like Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, and more.
  - Chocolate is favored in states like Alabama, California, Florida, and others.
  - Other flavors include Rocky Road, Coffee, Mint Chip, Moose Tracks, and Strawberry, with each having specific states that prefer them.
Vanilla Takes the Lead:
- The article highlights that vanilla is the most favored flavor, with 21 states showing a preference for this classic option.
- Laurentia Romaniuk, Instacart’s trends expert, notes that vanilla's versatility contributes to its popularity, making up 30 percent of all ice cream purchases through Instacart.
Chocolate Isn't Far Behind:
- Chocolate is a close contender, being the top pick for 15 states on the East Coast. The article describes chocolate as rich and velvety, catering to the preferences of many ice cream lovers.
The Flavors for the Rest of Us:
- The author, Andrea Lobas, shares her preference for mint chocolate chip, aligning with her home state of Pennsylvania and three others in the Pacific Northwest.
- The article mentions other unique preferences, such as coffee, rocky road, and moose tracks, with specific states favoring these flavors.
- Washington, D.C., stands out with its lone vote for strawberry ice cream.
Instacart Delivery Trends:
- Instacart experiences a surge in ice cream purchases in July, with a 22 percent increase per customer compared to the yearly average.
- The article attributes this surge to summer activities like pool parties and barbecues, where cold and creamy dishes, including ice cream, are popular.
Summer and Ice Cream:
- The article emphasizes that ice cream is a perfect summer treat, suitable for various occasions, including frozen layered cakes, Hot Fudge Ice Cream Bars, and top-rated milkshakes.

In conclusion, this article provides a comprehensive overview of ice cream preferences across the United States, backed by Instacart grocery shopping data, and offers insights into the popularity of different flavors at both the national and state levels.