Even on these chilly days, my sweet tooth is no match for the cold comfort of ice cream, arguably a year-round dessert. At home, I was never really one to want dessert; I felt fulfilled enough by those delicious home-cooked meals. But trying Cornell Dairy for the first time changed the game for me. Ever since, I’ve developed an unhealthy addiction to sweet treats, especially after a terrible exam or a bad day.
Now, I’m no ice cream connoisseur, but I thought I would take it upon myself to rank some of the Cornell Dairy flavors I’ve tried across campus. Without further ado
1. Dragon Day Cookies and Cream
The reigning champion has to be my beloved mint chocolate, otherwise known as Dragon Day Cookies and Cream. Maybe I’m biased, as I am a mint chip fanatic through and through, but nothing is comparable to the refreshing flavor bomb of mint and chocolate. It’s subtle, not too sweet and beautifully silky. I don’t want to hear anyone say that it tastes like toothpaste.
2. Cookie Dough
My runner-up is a popular favorite among all. You can’t go wrong with Cookie Dough: it's sweet, buttery and vanilla-y, with the perfect ratio of ice cream to small chocolate chips. Topped with sprinkles, it is absolute perfection.
3. Cascadilla Cookies and Cream
Similar to Cookie Dough, Cookies and Cream follows close behind with a stronger blast of vanilla and crunch. In my opinion, it is slightly less tasty than cookie dough because there is already too much sweetness from the first spoonful.
4. Clock Tower Pumpkin (Seasonal)
Initially, I didn’t think I would enjoy Clock Tower Pumpkin based off of the name. I had never tried pumpkin ice cream before, but I fell in love at first bite. The sweetness balances the earthiness of the pumpkin in every spoonful. It is richer and creamier than plain vanilla, with a hint of cinnamon to imitate the warm-hug feeling of fall.
5. Big Red Bear Tracks
Not the best, but not the worst. I would only perform the laborious activity of scooping this flavor if my top four weren’t available. I would describe Bear Tracks as a cookies and cream dupe with an original twist — a vanilla base with brownie pieces and a caramel swirl. The chunks are much too large for my liking, and tend to overpower the overall flavor, but it is still rather enjoyable
6. Traditional Vanilla
In sixth place is the ice cream of all ice creams — light, milky Vanilla. Again, you can’t go wrong, but there’s nothing particularly special about it. I’m aware that some people, like my dad, refuse to touch a flavor other than vanilla, and I cannot understand why.
7. Slippery Slope Strawberry
As you would guess, Slippery Slope Strawberry tastes like strawberry. It’s dependable, like a slightly outgrown sweater you have had for years and therefore feel obligated to like (because there is no apparent reason not to). When I was younger, strawberry used to be much higher on the list, but gradually fell out of favor after expanding my tastes. Some will call me crazy, but I’m a changed woman now.
8. Caramel Three Chimes
I have been a loud hater of caramel since I learned how to pronounce the word. It is unpleasantly sweet and sticky and overstays its welcome in your throat. The only bearable part of Caramel Three Chimes is the vanilla base, but even that becomes diluted in caramel craziness.
9. Chocolate Gorges
I’ve noticed that chocolate is a real point of contention; some would die for it, and others would die before ordering it. I don’t have a strong distaste for chocolate in general, but as an ice cream, it is simply a flavor I would never reach for. Too rich. Too thick. A terrible sensory experience.
10. Bavarian Raspberry
If I had to choose my least favorite kind of ice cream, it would be any fruit-inspired flavor. I would happily make an exception to my no-berry rule for Slippery Slope Strawberry, but I prefer even the richness of chocolate over a random fruit like raspberry. Fruit and ice cream is a simply unsettling combination. 0/10.
11. Honorable Mention: Holiday Merrymint
A throwback to the holiday season, Cornell stocked “Holiday Merrymint” across dining halls throughout December to give us an early taste of Christmas cheer. With its vanilla base and festive little sprinkles, the flavor leans minty with a crunch. It proved to be my ultimate favorite, so naturally, it earned an honorary mention.
Alas, take my rankings with a grain of salt — or sugar — except for the first one. Dragon Day Cookies and Cream isn’t a recommendation. It’s a plea. It always clears out within 20 minutes for a reason! Whatever you choose, even if it’s not Dragon Day Cookies and Cream, Cornell Dairy is sure to bring a warm smile to our cold, cold hearts this winter season.
Selina Chen is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at sc3543@cornell.edu.
