Where to get the best ice cream in the Coachella Valley: Custard, gelato and more

It's almost my favorite day of the year: National Ice Cream Day!

Last year, I put together a list of some of my favorite ice cream shops in the Coachella Valley, and the response from readers was tremendous. I don't think I've received that many emails on any one of my stories prior to or since the publication of that piece. It brought me so much joy to read how much you enjoyed the article, and I loved getting a few suggestions from you all as well.

Well, because there's always more ice cream to try, I thought it was only appropriate to add to my ever-growing list. And it comes just in time for National Ice Cream Day, which is Sunday, July 21. Be on the lookout for some sweet deals on the day of and leading up to it from your favorite vendors.

All the spots on this list have passed my personal "yum" test and bring something new when it comes to creamy, sweet goodness. If you have any places you highly recommend that aren't mentioned in this roundup, email me at ema.sasic@desertsun.com, and I'll happily check them out.

Cold Stone Creamery

Locations: 2465 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 1105, Palm Springs; 72-840 Highway 111, Suite 325, Palm Desert; 36-957 Cook St., Suite 102, Palm Desert; 78-380 Highway 111, Suite 190, La Quinta

Hours: Noon-10 p.m. daily (Palm Springs, Palm Desert - Cook Street, La Quinta); 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (Palm Springs - Highway 111)

More information: www.coldstonecreamery.com/index.php

Cold Stone Creamery is where you get ice cream and a show. I love watching the employees craft up their Signature Creations, which seem to bring together every tasty ingredient under the sun. I don't have a particular one that I personally recommend—pretty much every single one that I've tried has given me the sugar boost I needed at the time—but I will always vouch for any that has Oreo or cookie dough in it.

Jus Chillin'

Locations: 190 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, noon-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (both locations)

Note: Sugar-free, low-carb and dairy-free vegan options are available

More information: https://juschillinps.com/

I made the mistake of not including Jus Chillin' on my first ice cream guide — I'm only one girl with one stomach after all, it's hard to get to every place! But I'm glad I corrected my wrong this time around. The thing that I like the most about this Palm Springs staple is that there are so many options available. If you're in the mood for gelato, you can pick from several wide-ranging flavors — I went with scoops of delightfully sweet pistachio and peanut butter Oreo. If you want regular ice cream, there are so many colorful concoctions waiting for you. Frozen yogurt, shaved ice, shakes, smoothies and specialty drinks are also available. It's a great one-stop shop for all your dessert needs.

La Dolce Piccola Gelateria

Location: 73-255 El Paseo, Suite 20, Palm Desert

Hours: Noon-9:30 p.m. daily

More information: https://ladolcepiccolagelateria.com/

When there's a new gelateria in town, you'll find me on the scene. This lovely shop opened about a year ago, and I've enjoyed stopping by to sample their flavors time and time again. They're always crafting up something new, so repeat visits are warranted. Just some of their concoctions include toasted marshmallow and graham cracker gelato mixed with s’mores pieces, a summer berry gelato and a lemon sorbet. Every bite melts in your mouth and, if you're like me, will leave you wanting more.

Perfect Pint

Locations: 73-545 El Paseo, Palm Desert; 48-750 Seminole Drive, Cabazon

Hours: Noon-6 p.m. daily (Palm Desert location); check for Cabazon hours

Note: Gluten free options available

More information: www.perfectpint760.com

Walk around The Gardens on El Paseo and you'll find a shiny, silver airstream that has some of the coolest and tastiest treats. I wasn't familiar with Perfect Pint until a reader pointed it out to me, and I'm so grateful they did. This swanky local business was established in 2021 by a chef and a sommelier who incorporate classic French techniques when making gourmet custard, and the results are truly delicious. Among their many unique flavors, I tried half pints of pistachio raspberry and the honey crème brûlée. Both burst with rich, creamy goodness and are sweetened to perfection. Perfect Pint is a bit pricier than some of the other places on this list, but it's worth it for the quality and taste.

Ben & Jerry's

Locations: 110 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 71-800 Highway 111, Unit A-124, Rancho Mirage

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday (Palm Springs); Noon-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, Noon-8 p.m. Thursday, Noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Rancho Mirage)

Note: Vegan options available

More information: www.benjerry.com/palmsprings

I know that Ben & Jerry's is a common ice cream brand — you can find it at any supermarket, after all — but I've never lived in a place that had a standalone store, so this just had to make the list. The Palm Springs location has all the flavors you love, like Cherry Garcia, Phish Food, and The Tonight Dough, plus some you might not be able to find elsewhere. It's a similar story at the mid-valley location at The River in Rancho Mirage.

Brandini Toffee

Locations: 132 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 42-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 48-400 Seminole Drive, Suite C1, Cabazon

Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (Palm Springs); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (Rancho Mirage); 10 a.m-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday (Cabazon)

More information: https://brandinitoffee.com/

The creamy and sweet goodness of Brandini Toffee's toffee products are a delicacy of their own in the Coachella Valley, but they're even more special on ice cream. There's a limited selection available — an ice cream bar or ice cream cup — but both include vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate drizzle, and almond toffee crumbles on top. When you take that first bite, you know exactly why Brandini Toffee has made a delicious name for itself in the valley. There's also a bonus: If you visit any of their locations on National Ice Cream Day from noon to 4 p.m., you can snag a free ice cream toffee bar.

Great Shakes

Location: 160 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Sunday-Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday

Note: Lactose-free options available

More information: www.greatshakes.com/

After my first day at The Desert Sun, I drove into downtown Palm Springs and treated myself to an ultra-sweet milkshake concoction from Great Shakes. From that moment on, a love story was born. I'm a big fan of the brownie almond crunch, date walnut, Oreo cookie with caramel swirl and s'more shakes, but every flavor rules. The interior is also decked out in Rat Pack photos and mid-century modern décor which gives the place a cute 1950s diner feel.

Gelato Granucci

Location: 301 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 104, Palm Springs

Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday

Note: Vegan options available

More information: https://gelatogranucci.com/

Enjoy a taste of Italy without having to leave the valley. Whenever I'm looking for more sophisticated flavors in a cold dessert, I head over to the delightful Gelato Granucci shop. Gelato is lower in fat and sugar than traditional ice cream, but don't worry, the homemade flavors the site offers are absolutely out of this world. The hazelnut and Stracciatella flavors are simply to die for, and the gelato itself is unbelievably creamy as it melts in your mouth.

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream

Location: 44-489 Town Center Way, Suite F, Palm Desert; 79-630 Highway 111, La Quinta; 42-211 Jackson St., Indio

Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Palm Desert); 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Indio and La Quinta)

Note: Vegan options available

More information: https://handelsicecream.com/

There's a local ice cream/milk chain called Oberweis Dairy in my hometown that has the best ice cream by a mile. No other place has ever come close to that creamy goodness ... except for Handel's. The first time I tried Handel's, I sampled seven flavors (I know, I'm crazy) and each one was fantastic. Graham central station makes the top of my list, and I paired it once with the coconut almond fudge ripple and basically tasted heaven.

Kreem

Location: 170 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Note: Vegan options available

More information: www.kreempalmsprings.com/

Ice cream making is an artform, especially when it comes to crafting up fresh new flavors that no one has seen or tried before, and Kreem has mastered it. The artisanal shop always has something unique up its sleeve, like rosemary, prickly pear or lavender coffee. The citrus concoction I tried has stayed with me ever since. If I could, I'd go to Kreem every day just to try out a new flavor.

La Michoacana

Locations: 50-249 Harrison St., Suite E, Coachella; 32-280 Date Palm Drive, Suite 4309, Cathedral City; 27-765 Landau Blvd., Suite 106, Cathedral City; 81-673 Highway 111, Suite 1A, Indio

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday (Coachella location); 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily (Date Palm Drive location); 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily (Landau Boulevard location); 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday

Note: Ask about dietary options

More information: www.michoacana.com/

You might just find the biggest and most affordable scoop of ice cream at one of the many La Michoacana shops in the Coachella Valley. I'm a big fan of the Gansito flavor, a take on the Mexican snack cake with vanilla ice cream, strawberry jelly and satisfyingly crunchy chocolate bits. The Kit-Kat and piñon flavors are also calling my name. Staples like popsicles and refreshing mangonadas are also on the menu, and they're so hard to resist.

Lappert's Super Premium Ice Cream

Locations: 130 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 73-221 Highway 111, Palm Desert; 78-206 Varner Road #G, Palm Desert

Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (Palm Springs); 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Palm Desert - Highway 111); 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Varner Road)

Note: Dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan options available

More information: https://lapperts.com/

Hawaiian influences are aplenty when you step inside Lappert's Super Premium Ice Cream shops. The locations have 260 unique rotating flavors, such as Kauai Pie, Hawaiian Sea Salt Caramel, Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut and Kona Coffee, and of course there are date shakes for those who can't get enough of the valley's sweetest crop. Fans of the pineapple soft serve Dole Whip can also find it here.

Lizzy's Premium Frozen Yogurt

Location: 66-040 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Note: Vegan options available

More information: www.lizzyspremiumfrozenyogurt.com

There's a difference between ice cream and frozen yogurt, but there's still dairy and sugar involved, so there's a spot for it on this list. Lizzy's Premium Frozen Yogurt has the flavors you love, like birthday cake and chocolate, and some more unique ones. One that caught my eye was tiger blood, an ultra refreshing mix of coconut, watermelon and strawberry that I topped off with some Butterfinger pieces and mango and strawberry juice poppers.

Nitroinfusions

Location: 78-010 Main St., Suite 108, La Quinta

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Note: Vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free options available

More information: www.nitroinfusions.com

Out of all the ice cream shops on this guide, you'll get the coolest experience when you stop by Nitroinfusions. Rather than a traditional scoop-and-serve style, they create their ice cream using liquid nitrogen, which clocks in at -321 degrees. I don't quite understand how it's made or how it really works, but I know it's tasty and refreshing on a triple-digit day. Check out the vanilla ice cream topped with roasted pistachios and olive oil for a sweet and salty mix.

Shields Date Garden

Location: 80-225 Highway 111, Indio

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

More information: https://shieldsdategarden.com/

You can't have a desert ice cream list without the valley's iconic date shake. I've tried a number of them locally, but the one at Shields Date Garden remains unmatched. It's a simple concoction that consists of low-fat vanilla ice milk (very similar to ice cream) and date crystals, and it's super creamy and flavorful. They're very filling, so you're totally fine splitting it with someone else, but I also respect the challenge of finishing one all by yourself.

Shop(pe) Ice Cream & Shop

Location: 1551 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A, Palm Springs

Hours: Noon-11 p.m. daily

Note: Vegan options available

More information: https://www.icecreamandshop.com/

Shop(pe) has been on my list for a while, and when I finally checked it out, I was pleasantly surprised with the unique flavor options. When's the last time you saw grape nut ice cream? When I visited, I asked the cashier for their recommendation and decided to combine one of the most popular flavors, lavender, with chocolate. It was the perfect balance between the two, especially because lavender can be overwhelming on its own. The shop just recently announced an Ice Cream Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. on weekdays. When patrons buy one ice cream, they get one single scoop for free. Now that's what I call a happy hour!

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Where to get the best ice cream in the Coachella Valley: Custard, gelato and more