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Lucy Beaugard

Ten Frozen Treats to Beat the Heat

Cooling down this summer can be a real adventure

by Lucy Beaugard
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by Lucy Beaugard
Lucy Beaugard

Naturally when the temperatures rise in the Mile High we immediately flock to the essential Denver ice cream shops for a reprieve from the heat and a tasty way to cool off from the heat. For those times when you’re looking to skip the lines at Little Man Ice Cream or Sweet Action — try one of these ten tasty frozen treat spots where you can enjoy dessert and maybe even a cocktail or two.

Note: This list is organized north to south. If you don't see your favorite, leave it in the comments below.

Disclosure: The editor is married to one of the developers behind The Source, the development in which Acorn resides.

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Ernie's Bar & Pizza

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Although the enticing housemade donut with salted oreo gelato, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and dusted with powdered sugar is considered a summer special, Ernie’s is hoping to add this beauty to their fulltime dessert menu. We recommend calling ahead to see if this frozen treat is available and if not, check out the other gelato or sorbet treats.

2915 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO
(303) 955-5580
(303) 955-5580
Facebook

Acorn

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The acclaimed RiNo spot has a dessert that is singularly worth the visit. The coconut Pavlova features pistachio powder, earl grey tea, pineapple, orange compote, orange anglaise, and passion fruit sorbet.

3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721
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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

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This restaurant nestled behind Union Station serves great fried chicken and pickle chips but the cookie dough ice cream sandwich is not to be overlooked. Cool off this summer with an ice cream sammy made with two rectangles of cookie dough on the outside of creamy vanilla ice cream.

2907 Huron St #106, Denver, CO
3032261540
3032261540
Lucy Beaugard

Also featured in:

Hearth & Dram

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If you stop by this Ballpark restaurant for one of the several whiskeys the menu boasts, be sure not to pass up the ice cream sandwich. House-made cookies sandwich chocolate and caramel swirled ice cream then are dusted with powder sugar for the perfect summer treat.

Hearth & Dram 1801 Wewatta St, Denver, CO 80202, Denver, CO
3036230979
3036230979
Hearth & Dram

Also featured in:

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

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The go-to gourmet dog spot brought to Denver by “biker” Jim Pittenger is famed for creative sausages but also a creative take on the brownie ice cream sandwich. The chipotle brownie packs a punch which is instantly cooled from the cinnamon ice cream sandwiched between, then drizzled with chocolate sauce.

2148 Larimer St, Denver, CO
(720) 746-9355
(720) 746-9355
Lucy Beaugard

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Kachina Southwestern Grill

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The recently opened Southwestern grill on the Dairy Block has an extensive menu of tacos, guacamole, soups, salads, and stews. If you’re looking for something a little cooler and sweeter try the sweet corn ice cream with caramel corn, cilantro, and mint syrup.

1852 Wazee Street, Denver, CO
Courtesy of Kachina

Punch Bowl Social Denver

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There is an impressive log of adult gaming at this Baker spot and the cocktail menu is one to drink through. When you wanna cool off, try the malted maple royal shake with Bird Dog maple whiskey, malted milk, vanilla soft serve, nutmeg, and candied bacon.

65 Broadway, Denver, CO
(303) 765-2695
(303) 765-2695
Facebook

Vesta Dipping Grill

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Two decades old, Vesta is definitely doing something right to keep guests returning. At the end of dinner, try the creative take on a classic: the frozen caramel corn. Chilled with nitrogen then served to guests in a bowl — this is the only dish you may not want to share.

1822 Blake St, Denver, CO
(303) 296-1970
(303) 296-1970
Vesta Dipping Grill

Also featured in:

Departure

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This Cherry Creek restaurant attracts diners with tasty dim dum and an equally delicious dessert menu. Try the frozen citrus mousse made with kalamansi (hybrid cirtus fruit), coconut crunch, and makrut lime.

249 Columbine St, Denver, CO
(720) 772-5020
(720) 772-5020
Departure

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AikoPops

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This Pearl Street pop shop is not only known for artisan sandwiches and soups but for the gourmet ice pops packed with creative flavor combinations. Cool off with a grapefruit rosemary pop or an apple ginger pop.

1284 S Pearl St Denver, CO 80210, Denver, CO
(303) 996-6400
(303) 996-6400
Facebook

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Ernie's Bar & Pizza

2915 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO

Although the enticing housemade donut with salted oreo gelato, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and dusted with powdered sugar is considered a summer special, Ernie’s is hoping to add this beauty to their fulltime dessert menu. We recommend calling ahead to see if this frozen treat is available and if not, check out the other gelato or sorbet treats.

2915 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO
(303) 955-5580
(303) 955-5580
Facebook

Acorn

3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO

The acclaimed RiNo spot has a dessert that is singularly worth the visit. The coconut Pavlova features pistachio powder, earl grey tea, pineapple, orange compote, orange anglaise, and passion fruit sorbet.

3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721
Facebook

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

2907 Huron St #106, Denver, CO

This restaurant nestled behind Union Station serves great fried chicken and pickle chips but the cookie dough ice cream sandwich is not to be overlooked. Cool off this summer with an ice cream sammy made with two rectangles of cookie dough on the outside of creamy vanilla ice cream.

2907 Huron St #106, Denver, CO
3032261540
3032261540
Lucy Beaugard

Hearth & Dram

Hearth & Dram 1801 Wewatta St, Denver, CO 80202, Denver, CO

If you stop by this Ballpark restaurant for one of the several whiskeys the menu boasts, be sure not to pass up the ice cream sandwich. House-made cookies sandwich chocolate and caramel swirled ice cream then are dusted with powder sugar for the perfect summer treat.

Hearth & Dram 1801 Wewatta St, Denver, CO 80202, Denver, CO
3036230979
3036230979
Hearth & Dram

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

2148 Larimer St, Denver, CO

The go-to gourmet dog spot brought to Denver by “biker” Jim Pittenger is famed for creative sausages but also a creative take on the brownie ice cream sandwich. The chipotle brownie packs a punch which is instantly cooled from the cinnamon ice cream sandwiched between, then drizzled with chocolate sauce.

2148 Larimer St, Denver, CO
(720) 746-9355
(720) 746-9355
Lucy Beaugard

Kachina Southwestern Grill

1852 Wazee Street, Denver, CO

The recently opened Southwestern grill on the Dairy Block has an extensive menu of tacos, guacamole, soups, salads, and stews. If you’re looking for something a little cooler and sweeter try the sweet corn ice cream with caramel corn, cilantro, and mint syrup.

1852 Wazee Street, Denver, CO
Courtesy of Kachina

Punch Bowl Social Denver

65 Broadway, Denver, CO

There is an impressive log of adult gaming at this Baker spot and the cocktail menu is one to drink through. When you wanna cool off, try the malted maple royal shake with Bird Dog maple whiskey, malted milk, vanilla soft serve, nutmeg, and candied bacon.

65 Broadway, Denver, CO
(303) 765-2695
(303) 765-2695
Facebook

Vesta Dipping Grill

1822 Blake St, Denver, CO

Two decades old, Vesta is definitely doing something right to keep guests returning. At the end of dinner, try the creative take on a classic: the frozen caramel corn. Chilled with nitrogen then served to guests in a bowl — this is the only dish you may not want to share.

1822 Blake St, Denver, CO
(303) 296-1970
(303) 296-1970
Vesta Dipping Grill

Departure

249 Columbine St, Denver, CO

This Cherry Creek restaurant attracts diners with tasty dim dum and an equally delicious dessert menu. Try the frozen citrus mousse made with kalamansi (hybrid cirtus fruit), coconut crunch, and makrut lime.

249 Columbine St, Denver, CO
(720) 772-5020
(720) 772-5020
Departure

AikoPops

1284 S Pearl St Denver, CO 80210, Denver, CO

This Pearl Street pop shop is not only known for artisan sandwiches and soups but for the gourmet ice pops packed with creative flavor combinations. Cool off with a grapefruit rosemary pop or an apple ginger pop.

1284 S Pearl St Denver, CO 80210, Denver, CO
(303) 996-6400
(303) 996-6400
Facebook

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