Van Leeuwen Ice Cream makes some of the most delicious ice creams you can find anywhere in the country. Not only does it taste great, but it’s also organic and fair trade-certified, meaning that its ingredients are environmentally and ethically sourced. If you’re in the New York City area and are looking for something delicious to cool you down this summer, try out one of Van Leeuwen’s many flavors! You can find their list of locations here. Or, if you want to make your own Van Leeuwen treat at home, check out these recipes!

A Brief History of Van Leeuwen

Van Leeuwen started in 2002, with $15,000 borrowed from the founders’ father. They started by making ice cream in the back of their mom’s Manhattan apartment. With time and success, they expanded their business, moving to Brooklyn in 2004 and then Hudson Valley, New York in 2007. In the meantime, they had opened three shops around NYC and five trucks across Manhattan. van Leeuwen ice cream today Van Leeuwen is a national brand that can be found at various retailers as well as restaurants throughout the United States. They are a mission-driven company focused on making really good vegan ice cream using wholesome ingredients like milk from cows not treated with hormones or antibiotics and eggs from hens that are free-range or organic.

What Makes Their Ice Cream Special?

Van Leeuwen offers flavors that are usually hard to find, like ginger with candied walnuts and chocolate hazelnut. The most popular flavor is pistachio because it’s not too sweet and has a fresh taste. The ice cream is made from organic milk, cream, and sugar. No artificial colors or flavors. They make their own waffle cones in-house! On top of using all-natural ingredients, Van Leeuwen is also a very socially conscious company. They source their chocolate from Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, which has a history of fair trade, organic and sustainable practices. They support local communities where they can. They try to buy from bakers who are ethical and environmentally friendly. And they also give back! For example, they run an annual fundraiser called Scoop Dreams where they donate $1 per scoop of ice cream that’s sold over three days in July (with a minimum donation of $10,000) to Give Kids The World Village. It’s a trip that gives sick children with life-threatening illnesses and their families free accommodation at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida!

How to Order at Van Leeuwen

There are three main things to keep in mind when ordering ice cream at Van Leeuwen. First, the size of your desired cone or cup. There are three sizes: mini (3 oz), small (5 oz), and large (9 oz). Next, you’ll want to decide on a flavor, some of our favorites include good ol’ classic vanilla, Earl Grey Dark Chocolate with Lavender Mint Pistachio, Hojicha with Yuzu Cookies, and Lemon Curd with Roasted Rhubarb Sorbet. Last but not least is how much vanilla or milk chocolate you would like to pour over the top. One scoop of each is the perfect amount for us!

Best of Van Leeuwen

Van Leeuwen is a family-owned, small-batch ice cream company that produces its ice cream using fresh, local ingredients. With more than twenty flavors available, every customer will find something they love and is sure to enjoy. From simple flavors like vanilla and chocolate to unique tastes like salted caramel and dulce de leche, there’s something for everyone! Available in pint sizes or four-ounce pints to enjoy at home or on the go, these pints come with an eye-catching red bow tied around the cap. Even though these frozen treats are easily portable and just as perfect for a summer day as they are in the winter months, they’re still made by hand – one scoop at a time!

Why You Should Visit

Van Leeuwen is the perfect place to enjoy ice cream in the summer. They have two locations, one on 49th and Ninth avenue, and one on 20th and 8th avenue. Both are a 5-minute walk from the nearest subway station, which can be found at Herald Square (B, D), Times Square (1, 2, 3), or Grand Central Station (4, 5). Inside there are two communal tables for about 8 people each with benches for the overflow. You can also sit at one of their many smaller tables that fill up quickly so you’ll want to get there early to grab one! And don’t forget about their massive outdoor seating area if you want some shade on a hot day.

Conclusion

Van Leeuwen ice cream is handmade in small batches in their New York City creamery. The ice cream flavors are made from high-quality ingredients, and each pint is also biodegradable and compostable–making it one of the most eco-friendly options on the market today. Once you try a pint of Van Leeuwen ice cream, it will quickly become your go-to choice on hot summer days. With unique flavors like Brooklyn Blackout and Barcelona Bomb, how can you choose just one? Even if you do manage to narrow down your options, though, don’t feel obligated to stick with it. Your frozen treat will keep in your freezer for up to two weeks–and once that two weeks is up, it’s an excellent excuse to pick a new flavor! No matter what you choose or when you eat it, though, make sure to grab a pint of delicious and wholesome Van Leeuwen ice cream.