National Ice Cream Day 2026: Chocolate Rules, Vanilla Slumps, and the Battle Over Mint Chip Intensifies!

Get Ready to Scoop: National Ice Cream Day Is Sunday, July 19!

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Mark your calendars, stock your freezers, and ready your spoons! National Ice Cream Day is officially happening this Sunday, July 19, 2026.

While President Ronald Reagan made this delicious day official back in 1984, it’s unfortunately still not a national bank holiday—but we firmly believe we should all party like it is.

With 97% of Americans admitting they “love” or “like” ice cream, this is the ultimate summer celebration. But as we head into the sweet weekend, the latest dairy data shows that America’s freezer aisle loyalties are shifting dramatically.

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The Official 2026 Ice Cream Rankings: Chocolate Holds the Crown

According to the newly released 2026 International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) survey, there’s a fierce battle happening at the top of the cone:

• 🏆 No. 1: Chocolate – For the third year running, chocolate is officially America’s favorite flavor. It knocked out vanilla in 2024 and has held the crown ever since.

• 🥈 No. 2: Butter Pecan – In a surprising surge, butter pecan has scooped its way past a classic to claim the silver medal.

• 🥉 No. 3: Vanilla – Once the undisputed default champion of the freezer chest, vanilla has officially slipped to third place.

Is Mint Chocolate Chip Losing Its Cool?

If you are a die-hard fan of Mint Chocolate Chip, it might be time to mount a courtroom-style defense. The 2026 IDFA survey reveals that the refreshing green favorite is losing major ground, barely squeaking into the Top 10 at No. 10.

Is it a classic, refreshing summer staple, or does it really just “taste like toothpaste” as the haters claim? The debate continues to divide freezers across the nation.

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We Want to Know: What’s Your Ultimate Scoop?

Ice cream is highly personal, and we want to hear your strongest, most controversial ice cream opinions!

• If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be? Are you a complex Rocky Road, a reliable and sweet Vanilla Bean, or something completely wild and custom?

• Where do your freezer-aisle loyalties lie? Are you dedicated to local NJ dairy shops, or do you have a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, Häagen-Dazs, or Breyers on standby at all times?

• What is your ultimate ice cream hot take? (Is cake batter criminally underrated? Are sprinkles a waste of texture? Speak your truth!)

Drop a comment below and give us the scoop on how you’re celebrating this Sunday!

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