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Ice cream and ices and gelato, oh my! 8 of the best places for frozen treats in Brooklyn

July 13, 2016 Editorial Staff
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BY MARIA ELENA PEREZ & JONATHAN SPERLING

There’s nothing like a hot summer day to make you long for a cone of something cool and luscious. Here are some of our favorite Brooklyn purveyors of ice cream, gelato, ices and other frozen treats.

L’Albero dei gelati (341 Fifth Avenue) or “tree of Gelato” began making hand-made gelato in Lombardy, Italy in 1985, but eventually opened up shop in Park Slope in 2013. Although the Brooklyn store has expanded to host a bakery, cafe and restaurant, it is still known for its farm fresh gelato free of dyes, preservatives and artificial flavors. Choose from sweet treats such as organic peach gelato or a more savory olive oil gelato. Many vegan and gluten-free options are available.

Started by three lactose-intolerant friends in a New York City apartment, Alchemy Creamery boasts creamy and flavorful frozen desserts that are dairy-free, gluten-free, certified vegan and certified kosher. Try the signature push pops or ice cream sandwiches, available in almond vanilla, strawberry cheesecake, salted peanut butter, harvest berry and other flavors. Served at several locations throughout the borough, including Smorgasburg: Dun-Well Doughnuts, 222 Montrose Avenue; and Riverdel Fine Foods, 820 Washington Avenue

Opened in the spring of 2011, Ample Hills Creamery (623 Vanderbilt Avenue; 305 Nevins Street and Brooklyn Bridge Park — seasonal) uses hormone-free and organic ingredients in order to bring its whimsical, yet flavorful, products to life. Its ice cream is made the old-fashioned way, by hand, and all pasteurization is done on site, leading Ample Hills to be considered a registered dairy plant. Choose from an abundance of playful flavors, such as Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Snap Mallow Pop!, The Munchies and more, served by Ample Hills’ “Amployees.” Ample Hills also offers two hour-long ice cream classes at the Gowanus location, allowing attendees to make their own ice cream by way of an old-fashioned hand-crank ice cream maker.

For a taste of old Brooklyn rolled into a homey and authentic diner environment, look no further than Anopoli Ice Cream Parlor & Family Restaurant (6920 Third Avenue). For over 115 years, the Bay Ridge staple has been serving up a multitude of frozen treats. Feel like a kid again when you try one of Anopoli’s malted milkshakes, or sample one of their homemade pies with an ice cream soda on the side. A full dinner menu is also available.

Nieves Tia Mimi Mexican ices are the perfect, sweet treat for those hot, Brooklyn summer days. Since 1992, Nieves Tia Mimi (4711 Fifth Avenue) has been serving up tasty Mexican sweet treats in Sunset Park. With its wide variety of fruity flavors, picking just one to enjoy is the hardest decision you’ll make all summer! If a cool, refreshing drink is what you’re looking for, try any one of the Aguas.

What was once a pharmacy that closed in the 1960s is now a quaint ice cream soda shop, Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. Nestled at 513 Henry Street in Carroll Gardens, this local gem makes everything from milk shakes to hand crafted, ice cream sundaes. The vintage interior gives the shop an old-fashioned feel. The shop even has a savories menu, serving up home cooked favorites until 8 p.m. every day. Come for dinner and don’t skip on the dessert at this one-of-a-kind ice cream parlor.

Take a break from the beach and cool down to enjoy some gelato or sorbet at Coney’s Cones (1001 Boardwalk West). Located right on the Boardwalk, this gelato stop has 24 flavors to choose from, along with an assortment of drinks like granitas, coffees and hot chocolate. Make Coney’s Cones your go to stop on your next visit to Coney.

End a long day in the sun with some frozen yogurt at Frozen Planet (6340 Avenue N), located  in Bergen Beach. This self-serve, frozen yogurt stop will transport you from a hot day in the sun to a cool, delicious spot with an endless amount of flavors and toppings to choose from. The yogurt bar also has non-fat, low-fat, no-sugar and non-dairy choices so every local can cool off with a sweet, frozen treat this summer.

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