by Jacqueline To

Summertime is when we crave our favourite cold, creamy, sweet treat - ice cream. It’s a refreshing and delicious way to cool off in the sun. But instead of the standard Neapolitan double-scoop in a waffle cone this summer, why not try a unique and exciting, cultural twist on the old time favourite?

Mochi ice cream is a popular Japanese dessert made with rice starch and filled with various flavours of ice cream. The inspiration comes from mochi, a traditional Japanese rice cake made with glutinous rice and filled with red bean paste. The Lotte confectionery company first introduced mochi ice cream in local grocery stores in Japan, and now it's available everywhere. There are many different mochi ice cream flavours including vanilla, chocolate, green tea, mango, and even yam flavour! You can buy them at your local Asian grocery store for $2 to $4.

Pasta lovers, finish off your meal properly with Spaghetti Eis! This German dessert takes ice cream’s original nature and transforms it to resemble the appearance of spaghetti. Vanilla ice cream is pressed through a Spaetzle or potato press for the spaghetti base, then garnished with strawberry topping as tomato sauce and white chocolate shavings or coconut for parmesan cheese. You can easily make Spaghetti Eis at home and add your own flare to the recipe. Try vanilla sprinkles or icing sugar as parmesan cheese, use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, or include chocolate truffles for meatballs. Be creative!

The stimulating combination of hot, crunchy texture and cold ice cream melting on your tongue is what Deep Fried Ice Cream is famous for. Mexican and Asian restaurants often feature it in their dessert menu and occasionally you can find some at fairs or amusement parks. The Mexican variation of fried ice cream is covered with a cereal mix and batter while the Asian version is usually rolled in tempura bits. You can easily make this dessert at home, using a scoop of hard frozen ice cream dipped in egg, rolled in a crispy coating, and deep fried.

Relaxing at a café with a friend while sipping on a steamy cup of cappuccino is a favourite afternoon treat for most of us. Although a hot cup of coffee is great year-round, July’s hot weather calls for something creamy, cool, and caffeinated. Eiskaffee is a German chilled coffee blended with vanilla ice cream, then garnished with whipped cream, grated chocolate, and a wafer cookie. It's also perfect for guests because it looks delicious, but only takes seconds to make (click here for a simple and tasty recipe). Add a tall dessert spoon or a decorative stir stick for extra flair.

If you are a mom, you know kids can't get enough Popsicles during the summer, and making them yourself is a fun way to spend time with your kids. Ice cream pops are similar, except they are made with ice cream instead of juice. To make them at home you'll need a Popsicle mold, your favourite ice cream, and milk. Let the ice cream soften at room temperature, then mix 3 parts ice cream with 1 part milk, pour it into the mold and freeze. Voilà! You’ve created a frosty dessert everyone can enjoy. If you’re feeling adventurous you can add chopped nuts, chocolate, candy, or pieces of fruit. Try also dipping the frozen ice-cream pops into melted chocolate and rolling them in coconut flakes or chopped up almonds, then refreeze it.

These sugary confections are definitely a great way to start the summer off with a kick in your taste buds. Surprise your friends and family at your next party with mochi, Spaghetti Eis, deep fried ice-cream, Eiskaffee, or ice cream pops for dessert. Give your favourite summer treat a surprising and flavourful spin!

Jacqueline is a ChickAdvisor member and writer. She is currently studying Arts and Business at the University of Waterloo and is an editorial intern for Style at Home. She loves trying different types of food, shopping and catching up on lost sleep.