Trend spotlight: unusual ice cream flavours

Even traditional ice cream flavours can be given a new spin with unexpected toppings: N25 Caviar is being used as a topping on pistachio ice cream at Michelin-starred London restaurant Dorian, while Belvedere in Holland Park is reversing the pattern and using classic raspberry granita as a topping for raspberries.

We've tested out the trend with a bold blue ice cream from Fortnum & Mason (watch below to discover the flavour behind the colour), plus found three more places serving up unusual flavours. To recreate the trend at home, we've chosen our favourite unusual ice cream flavours – pea ice cream, anyone? Read on to discover all.

Trying the trend: unusual ice cream flavours

We headed to Fortnum & Mason to try some unusual ice creams for ourselves. Fortnum & Mason has taken its signature eau de nil colour and transformed it into bright silky soft serve, with a minty flavour inspired by iconic Blackpool rock. A classic chocolate flake has even been swapped out, with the soft serve garnished with a stick of rock instead.

Eating out: where to try unusual ice cream flavours

The Ice Cream Project by Anya Hindmarch – pesto, piccalilli, soy sauce and more

The ultimate example of unusual ice cream flavours, The Ice Cream Project returned to London for its third year this summer. Open until 18 August, there's limited time left to try these unique flavours. Each inspired by cult foodie brands, the tubs take inspiration from a myriad of sweet and savoury ingredients. Take your pick of ice creams made with Kikkoman soy sauce, Filippo Berio pesto, Perello olives and even Sarson's vinegar. For those who prefer to stick to the sweeter side, Bird's custard ice cream and McVitie's Penguins or Jaffa Cakes have also been transformed into frozen form. anyahindmarch.com/pages/the-ice-cream-project

Wilson's, Bristol – oyster ice cream

Ice cream flavours have moved beyond taking inspiration from fruit, sweet treats or even herbs to... seafood? Wilson's in Bristol serves up a unique oyster ice cream, topped with a bright rhubarb vinaigrette. It has to be tried to be believed, bringing together sweet, savoury and umami flavours in one elegant dish. If the idea of oyster ice cream is too much for you, it also serves a bold herb sorbet topped with sweet meringue. wilsonsbristol.co.uk

Silo – Siloaf ice cream sandwich

Zero-waste restaurant Silo rounds off a tasting menu with a signature Siloaf ice cream sandwich. Made using offcuts from the bread course that kicks off the menu, this is a unique umami-filled dessert. The bread is left to soak in water for two days until it begins to ferment into a Marmite-like substance, added to sugars to produce a salty-sweet, umami -filled caramel. Following this, buttermilk taken as a by-product of Silo’s home-churned butter is caramelised into a dulce de leche ice cream, before it is sandwiched between two wafers made from remnant bran, a by-product of the flour milled in the restaurant. silolondon.com

Gelupo – fig leaf ice cream

Another London ice cream institution, Gelupo tends to focus on spotlighting seasonal fruits rather than going for the wackiest flavours. Upcoming summer highlights includes peach or plum sorbet, a strawberry sherbet or creamy pistachio. However, there are still some less familiar flavours you can try for the first time – fig leaf ice cream appears on the August menu for a unique and mildly coconut-like scoop. gelupo.com

Eating in

Recreate this trend at home with our recipes for decadent ice creams all with a unique flavour twist – get your friends and family to guess the flavour and you might just find a new favourite. For more inspiration, check out all of our ice cream recipes, including Biscoff, roasted banana caramel swirl and Vietnamese coffee flavours.

Pea, coconut and lime ice cream

Fresh garden peas are the star ingredient in this spring-hued ice cream flavoured with coconut milk and a splash of vodka.

Chocolate and black pepper gelato

Give silky smooth gelato a grown-up twist with 70% dark chocolate and freshly ground peppercorns in this indulgent dessert.

Tarragon ice cream

Tarragon, with its heady aniseed flavour, is in season throughout the spring and summer. Put it to great use in this ice cream, which is perfect for sunny days and warm evenings.

Spotted on social

TikTok: sweetcorn ice cream

Trust us on this one – it may sound bizarre but it really works. Originally popular in South Korea, Philippines and Mexico, we love this recipe which uses as much of the cob as possible, including roasted husks for extra depth of flavour as well as the silk. The result is an incredibly creamy, slightly nutty treat.

Pinterest: pistachio ice cream with rosewater and saffron

Pistachio is taking the food world by storm right now and for good reason – its nutty creaminess is a delight in both sweet and savoury recipes. This ice cream flavour brings in delicate rosewater and saffron for an original take on the trend that we can't wait to try for ourselves.

Instagram: peach and cream soft serve with almonds and marigold

We're seeing elevated soft serve all over the Gram at the moment and this summery one from The Dorchester takes it to new heights with roasted peaches, toasted nuts and floral marigold.