The Powerful Pint is More than Ice Cream. It’s an Experience.

 

“Texture is the new flavor,” according to Anne-Marie Roerink, president, 210 Analytics.

While familiar sensations still resonate, novel, exciting and luxurious experiences are what is capturing consumers’ attention, according to Innova Market Insights. 

With consumers eating less—in particular those on GLP-1 medications—there’s a shift toward experiences that engage every sense. Consumers are exploring the world through their tastebuds, often times seeking out experiences that include elements of wellness, nostalgia or indulgence. 

Enter the powerful pint of ice cream. It contains just enough creamy and dreamy to satisfy the senses. For many, indulging in ice cream is a cherished ritual that brings joy, comfort and connection. It’s therapeutic. 

That’s the basis behind “Therapy in a Pint.”

“We all have those moments where we reach for something small to feel a little better, like a scoop of ice cream after a hard day,” said Josh Bruno, CEO and founder of Rula, a national behavioral healthcare provider delivering accessible, insurance-covered care. “But what we’re often really craving is support.”

In honor of May Mental Health Awareness Month, Rula partnered with ice cream brand Van Leeuwen to launch Therapy in a Pint, the first-ever “empty” pint of ice cream. While good ice cream can feel like therapy, this pint adds an opportunity for deeper self-care. Each pint delivers a different kind of treat: a QR code that unlocks access to a therapy session through Rula.

Therapy in a Pint was available at select Van Leeuwen scoop shops nationwide for $7.95, which in addition to the QR code, came with a scoop of any Van Leeuwen ice cream flavor. The program was all about providing a positive experience by reimagining ice cream as an opportunity to invest in one’s mental wellbeing. By partnering with Van Leeuwen, a brand synonymous with happiness, Rula celebrated life’s small joys while encouraging people to prioritize their mental health in meaningful ways.

“At Van Leeuwen, one of our core values is a good state of mind,” said Ben Van Leeuwen, co-founder and CEO of Van Leeuwen. 

Graeter’s Ice Cream, America’s oldest family-owned and operated craft ice cream maker, has always been about experience. From its signature French Pot process, where the ice cream is handcrafted in small batches--just 2.5 gallons at a time—to its limited-edition bonus flavors dropped multiple times a year, Graeter’s aims to make consumers happy. 

The company recently released its limited-edition summer line-up which was “crafted to capture the whimsy of this season in every scoop.” This year’s collection of bonus flavors features five new creations, all serving as a celebration for everything from travel and nostalgia to carefree days and festive nights. The flavors are being released throughout the summer in Graeter's scoop shops as well as online for nationwide shipping, while supplies last.

• Marrakesh Coffee is bold coffee ice cream spiced with cardamom, cinnamon and ginger.
• Ghost Notes celebrates adventure park Kings Island’s new ride, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare. The flavor is as mischievous and unexpected as the ride itself: marshmallow and grape ice cream combined with marshmallow cookie dough. 
• Peanut Butter & Clouds is rich peanut butter ice cream with fluffy marshmallow pieces folded throughout.
• Cherry Sparkler was crafted to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. This wild cherry ice cream contains red and blue popping candy folded into every star-spangled scoop.
• Strawberry Sorbet, which will come out in late July, is made with real strawberries picked at peak ripeness from Pacific Northwest farms.

“Ice cream has always been a quintessential part of summer, bringing people together through joyful moments,” said Richard Graeter, fourth-generation president and CEO. “Our five new limited-edition flavors are meant to capture those moments big and small and make summer sweeter and last just a little bit longer.”

The Kroger Co. is bringing the iconic tastes of summer straight to the frozen aisle with Kroger Brand’s flavor-packed, limited-time All-American Ice Cream Collection. 

To celebrate, TODAY--Friday, June 19, starting at noon eastern time--is Kroger’s long-awaited free pint offer. Ahead of summer solstice on June 21, customers can grab a free pint to enjoy on the longest day of the year by using a downloadable, single-use digital coupon, while supplies last. 

“We’ve loved seeing customers come back year after year for their free pints and now, we’re going bigger than ever by giving away 100,000 pints,” said Ann Reed, Group Vice President of Our Brands at Kroger. 

If you are near a Kroger, go gets yours! Download the coupon HERE. 

The three new flavors for this year are:

• Seventh Inning Swirl: Caramel popcorn flavored ice cream with praline peanuts and caramel swirls.
• Sweet As Cherry Pie: Cherry pie flavored ice cream with tart cherry swirls and pie pieces.
• Banana Split Social: Strawberry banana ice cream with pineapple chunks and chocolate swirls. 

Blue Bell has a new berry-delicious flavor: Black Raspberry Fudge Ice Cream. It is a decadent combination of black raspberry-flavored ice cream with dark chocolate-flavored chunks and a chocolate fudge swirl. 

“This is the first raspberry flavor to join our lineup in a few years, so this will be a treat for many,” said Joe Robertson, executive director of advertising and marketing for Blue Bell. “Black Raspberry Fudge is a perfect combination of a sweet, yet tart black raspberry ice cream that blends perfectly with the chunks of chocolate and a rich fudge swirl. The flavor is decadent, indeed!”  

Also new and now available from Blue Bell is Brookie À La Mode, a rich, creamy brown sugar ice cream loaded with chunks of brownies and soft chocolate chip cookie pieces. 

For those looking to reach their protein goals, Blue Bell released a new high-protein dairy dessert in March. The PRO pints, with up to 12 grams of protein per serving, are available in Chocolate, Coffee, Salted Caramel, Strawberry and Vanilla. 

“As we head into summer and the hottest months of the year, ice cream becomes the go-to sweet treat for many,” Robertson said. “We’re proud to offer a delicious lineup with something for everyone to enjoy.” 

HP Hood continues to grow the Lactaid brand of ice cream. The brand’s most recent launch is limited-edition Cherry Fudge Chip ice cream. The new variant combines a cherry-flavored base with a dark cherry swirl and fudge chunks. It is made with real milk and cream. The addition of lactase breaks the lactose down into glucose and galactose. The brand positions the product as offering a traditional dairy ice cream experience for consumers who are lactose intolerant or prefer lactose-free options.

Ben & Jerry’s is growing its popular Sundaes pint line with three new varieties. 

• Straw-Bae Shortcake: Sweet cream ice cream with shortcake cookies and strawberry swirls, topped with strawberry-swirled topping and shortcake crumble.
• PB Blondie Bestie: Peanut butter ice cream with blonde brownies and graham cracker swirls, topped with caramel-swirled whipped topping and mini peanut butter cups.
• Mocha Mood Pie: Chocolate cold brew ice cream with chocolate cookies and chocolate cookie swirls, topped with fudge-swirled whipped topping and fudge chips.

These three join Dulce De-lish! Sundae, Choco-lotta Cheesecake Sundae, Turtle Sundae and the fan favorite Cookie Vermont-ster.

Protein Pints is raising the bar on indulgence with its newest launch, Fudge Brownie. Available exclusively nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market stores, this new flavor features a smooth, decadent brownie batter fudge swirled with an explosion of chewy brownie pieces. Inspired by the classic pairing of brownie and ice cream, Fudge Brownie offers a rich, texture-driven experience offering layered inclusions in every bite. 

Each pint contains 30 grams of protein, 85% less sugar than traditional ice cream, zero artificial sweeteners, and is always gluten-free, reinforcing the brand’s mission to prove indulgence and function can go hand in hand. 

“At Protein Pints, we’ve always believed that choosing a healthier lifestyle shouldn’t mean retiring your sweet tooth,” said Paul Reiss, co-founder and CEO of Protein Pints. “With Fudge Brownie, we created an unapologetically decadent ice cream. Our pint delivers on taste while still providing the 30 grams of protein our community relies on. It’s a knockout flavor that proves you really can have it all.” 

Fudge Brownie is the third new flavor released by the brand this year, following the recent additions of Salted Caramel and Banana Graham Slam, extending the Protein Pints line-up to nine flavors. Each pint is made with natural ingredients and crafted for a creamy, craveable texture without the chalky aftertaste often associated with high-protein desserts.  

The Magnum Ice Cream Company has new pints, too. Its Breyers brand joined forces with its Good Humor, Popsicle and Almond Joy to launch three fun new pints, giving consumers new ways to enjoy their favorite sweet treats and make everyday snacking more exciting and experiential. This new lineup includes Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake, Creamsicle and Almond Joy. 

McConnell’s has crossed borders with its new Toasted Sesame & Raspberry ice cream. It’s silky-smooth, toasted sesame-infused ice cream featuring Soom Premium Tahini. This gets swirled with McConnell’s house-made raspberry jam. Creamy, nutty, with a touch of sweet. It’s peanut butter jelly time, but all grown up.

This line literally crosses borders. Following a high-profile U.S. launch in New York in summer 2025, Sammontana continues its nationwide expansion with gelato pints. All products are crafted in Italy and defined by the brand’s signature creaminess, bold flavors and joyful spirit. The U.S. assortment is designed to bring the ritual of Italian gelato into everyday American routines, without compromising on quality or authenticity. It’s all about experience.