August can be a long slog in St. Louis, with skyrocketing temperatures and unbearable humidity. Lucky for locals, there are plenty of frozen desserts to beat the heat. Whether you’re indulging in one of Ted Drewes’ famous concretes or picking up an ice pop at Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, there are delicious and affordable respites. Here are our picks for some of the best frozen desserts on a dime in St. Louis:
1.) Affogato at Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery
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The affogato at Clementine’s will carry you through summer and take you into cooler days. The dessert consists of a scoop of ice cream topped with espresso in a sundae glass. You can choose a flavor for the affogato but one of the best is the salty crack caramel. The sweet caramel pairs perfectly with the coffee. An affogato runs $5.75 before tax.
2. ) Mini Concrete at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
It wouldn’t be summer in St. Louis without a concrete at Ted Drewes. The popular frozen custard shop allows customers to choose their own mix-ins or opt for a house-made creation. Don’t miss the “All Shook Up,” a concrete that pays homage to the late King of Rock and Roll with vanilla custard, bananas, and peanut butter chocolate cookies. A mini All Shook Up concrete is a steal at $3 before tax.
3.) Shaved Ice at How Sweet Is This
If you’re in Demun, stop by How Sweet Is This for a shaved ice. The dainty sweets shop has a long list of flavors including Tiger’s Blood, a strawberry-coconut concoction, and lime (pictured above). Add sprinkles or Nerd candy on top for a nominal fee. Prices vary depending on size: An “Itsy Bitsy” shaved ice is $2.50, a small is $3, a medium is $3.50, and a large is $4.25, all before tax.
4.) Nitrogen Ice Cream at Ices Plain & Fancy
Walking into Ices Plain & Fancy is a little like entering an ice cream wonderland. Stand mixers churn out different flavors of ice cream using liquid nitrogen, which floats toward the ceiling in an ethereal fog. Flavors rotate seasonally and include classic, booze-filled, and vegan options. Highly recommended is the chocolate (pictured above right), which is topped with dark-chocolate chips. A regular-sized chocolate nitrogen ice cream is $5.43 before tax.
5.) Ice Pops at Whisk: A Sustainable Bakeshop
Whisk is best known for its baked goods but equally delicious are its ice pops. The Cherokee Street bakery sells the treats in-store and at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market. Stop by either location to try the pops, which vary by season and come in inventive flavors such as cantaloupe sea salt and blackberry goat cheese. The ice pops are $3 each or two for $5, making them one of the sweetest deals in town.
