As you may have heard, Haagen-Dazs Free Cone Day is on May 12. That means you only have a few days remaining to figure out exactly what you're going to order, because obviously the fate of the universe depends on your Free Cone Day flavor of choice. OK, not really — but Free Cone Day is a serious business.
While it's true that Haagen-Dazs isn't known for the wackiness of their flavor selection in quite the same way that, say, Ben and Jerry's is, there are still a few surprising options on the menu. So this year, rather than going with your standard vanilla, strawberry, or cookie dough, why not branch out a little bit? To help you decide, I've assembled 11 of Haaen-Dazs' most unique-sounding flavors — because if you're anything like me, you had no idea that Applewood Smoked Caramel Almond ice cream was a thing.
Now, granted, what you're able to get will depend heavily on what flavors your local Haagen-Dazs shop stocks; as such, some of the options seen here might not actually be available for you. So, it's probably best to go into this whole thing with a battle plan: Have a first choice, followed by several backups, and bring up the rear with a good old-fashioned standby that's pretty much certain to be there (chocolate, perhaps?). Otherwise, though? Get ready to live on the wild side… for at least as long as your free kiddie cup or cone lasts, that is.
1. Green Tea
You guys. Green tea ice cream is the best. Seriously—it's refreshing and delicious, but without being overly sweet. If you've never had it, now is the perfect time to remedy that fact. I don't know how well it would go with a sugar or cake cone, but it's dynamite just in a cup (or, y'know, straight out of the container. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything).
2. Pineapple Coconut
Need a tropical vacation? This is the next best thing. Promise.
3. Pistachio
Pistachio isn't necessarily a flavor most people will pick as their first choice — but over time, I've come to terms with the fact that pistachio-flavored things actually taste really good. Pistachio pudding? Awesome. Pistachio ice cream? Also awesome. Regular pistachios? Yum.
4. Banana Rum Jam
Obviously I had to include one of the new flavors being rolled out during the promo, and since this one is arguably the most interesting… well, you do the math. I'll admit that I'm not totally sure how I feel about the lime swirl running through this one; the banana rum bit sounds pretty incredible, though.
5. Ginger Molasses Cookie
Spice it up with this one — literally. It's like a ginger snap in ice cream form.
6. Pomegranate Swirl Gelato
I don't know about you, but I'm pretty jazzed about the fact that gelato is also an option on Free Cone Day. Sure, you could go classic with Stracciatella… but pomegranate-flavored gelato? That's much more unexpected. Live a little!
7. Orchard Peach Sorbet
Normally I would go with mango sorbet, but everyone does mango sorbet. Peach is a little less frequently encountered, so it's worth a shot this time round.
8. Cappuccino Gelato
It's so much classier than plain ol' coffee ice cream.
9. Applewood Smoked Caramel Almond
I will admit to being a little sad that this flavor isn't Applewood Smoked Bacon Caramel Almond. But I will forgive it, because it sounds rather intruiging.
10. Chocolate Caramelized Oat
I put rolled oats in my smoothies all the time, so I'm sure they'll be A-OK in ice cream, too. I mean, it's artisan, you guys. That means weirdness is not only acceptable, but celebrated.
11. Rum Raisin
Because when else are you going to order it?
Images: sea-turtle/Flickr; Haagen-Dazs (11)
