We all have a go-to ice cream flavor that we can’t wait to indulge in as soon as summer hits. But what if you tried something new this year — like a refreshing lavender ice cream?
One of our 2025 scoop shop exclusive ice cream flavors, Lavender Dream, features lavender vanilla ice cream with rich blackberry swirls. It also happens to be our May Feature Flavor!
Still on the fence? Read what some of our ice cream connoisseurs have to say! We sat down with Megan Mergler, Perry’s Product Manager, and Sarah Duewiger and Kelly Minnick from our Food Technologist team to gather their inspiration and insight on this new unique ice cream flavor!
The Inspiration Behind Our Lavender Ice Cream: Q&A with Megan Mergler, Perry’s Product Manager
Q. How long did it take from concept to launch?
From ideation to the first production run, Lavender Dream ice cream took 13 months to bring this concept to life.
Q. What inspired this flavor?
Seeing lavender beautifully done in other food and beverage categories inspired us to discover our own take on this trending flavor. We wanted to make sure the floral notes of lavender did not overwhelm the base and instead acted as a subtle complement. We found the perfect balance between the floral of lavender, softness of vanilla, and the jamminess of blackberry — resulting in a smooth and refreshing gourmet ice cream you won’t find just anywhere.
Q. Who is going to love this flavor?
People who have embraced the lavender trend, enjoy culinary-inspired ice cream flavors, or have loved Perry’s Strawberry Cheesecake or Perry’s Black Raspberry will absolutely want to try this.
Q. What is the eating experience like?
Consumers will enjoy the light, smooth, and refreshing taste of Lavender Dream! With a perfect balance of vanilla and lavender, the flavor is delicate and never overpowering (no soapy notes!). The soft purple color is as calming as the taste itself! It’s a spoonful of summer ice cream sweetness done just right — a standout among our limited edition ice cream creations!
Q. What other Perry’s flavors pair nicely with it?
This flavor pairs well with our fan-favorite combinations: Vanilla Cloud (Lavender Dream & Vanilla), Purple Haze (Lavender Dream & Black Raspberry), and Blackberry Bliss (Lavender Dream & Midnight Blackberry Cheesecake).
Inside the Kitchen: Flavor Development with Perry’s Food Technologists — Sarah Duewiger & Kelly Minnick
Q. What challenges did you face during development?
We faced a lot of challenges trying to balance the lavender flavor in this ice cream. Lavender can give off a soapy flavor if used too strongly but can be too subtle if underused. It took several rounds of testing to get a profile that delivered a fragrant, floral finish without overpowering the ice cream — a common challenge when crafting artisan ice cream.
Q. How did you choose the ingredients or flavor profile?
We are always looking for new and innovative ingredients to use in our flavors! With help from our trusted vendors, we get early access to trending ingredients in the dessert space. We saw lavender vanilla as an emerging trend and knew we wanted to introduce a lavender ice cream option to our lineup. To elevate the floral, we added a blackberry swirl, creating a one-of-a-kind gourmet ice cream flavor that’s both elegant and exciting.
Q. How long did it take to create and perfect this flavor?
This flavor took about 6 months from idea to final product. We tested 6 different versions before we landed on the final recipe. The combination of lavender vanilla and blackberry took time to perfect, but the result was worth it.
Q. Are there any special ingredients we need to know about?
Yes! The lavender vanilla ice cream base is unique to Lavender Dream — no other Perry’s flavor uses it. If you’ve enjoyed Friendsgiving or Midnight Blackberry Cheesecake, you’ll recognize the luscious blackberry swirl that adds richness and contrast to the floral base. It’s a treat for fans of blackberry ice cream looking for a fresh seasonal twist.
Don’t let this dreamy delight pass you by! If you didn’t get a chance to try Lavender Dream ice cream this May, don’t worry — it will be available all summer long at your favorite ice cream stands and Perry’s scoop shops.
Whether enjoyed in a cone or a dish, Lavender Dream is a gentle reminder to slow down and savor the moment. Let this floral ice cream symphony carry you to a place of pure indulgence — where every bite feels like a dream come true.
Contributors: Mya Priester