National Vanilla Ice Cream Day

National Vanilla Ice Cream Day celebrates one of the most beloved desserts around the globe. With a simple recipe consisting of cream, sugar, and vanilla, this classic treat has stood the test of time. Vanilla is now used in countless desserts to enhance flavor, and vanilla ice cream remains the most popular variety worldwide. Its versatile taste makes it perfect on its own or served with cookies, pancakes, cakes, or even added to coffee.

History

While National Vanilla Ice Cream Day is unofficial and its exact origins are unclear, it has been celebrated annually since at least the early 2000s. Every year on July 23, millions enjoy their favorite vanilla-flavored frozen dessert. In the United States, vanilla ice cream gained popularity thanks in part to Thomas Jefferson. During a trip to France in the 1780s, he discovered vanilla ice cream and brought the recipe back with him. He later served it to guests at the White House, helping popularize the treat in America.

Interesting Facts

• Thomas Jefferson is said to have served vanilla ice cream to every guest he hosted at the White House.
• Vanilla comes from the orchid family, which includes more than 25,000 species. It primarily grows in Central America and the Caribbean.
• The Totonac people of Mexico were the first to use vanilla. After they were conquered by the Aztecs, the Aztecs adopted it and began adding it to chocolate.
• In Europe, vanilla was used in chocolate, tea, coffee, and of course, ice cream.
• Jefferson’s original vanilla ice cream recipe is preserved in the Library of Congress as a piece of culinary history.
• Classic dessert recipes, including vanilla ice cream, appear in historic cookbooks by Hannah Glasse and Mary Randolph.
• In 1841, a new method for hand-pollinating vanilla orchids was discovered, allowing for large-scale cultivation.

How to Take Part

Celebrate the day by treating yourself to vanilla ice cream made from a traditional recipe. You can visit your favorite café, grab a pint from a local store, or make it at home if you own an ice cream maker. An ice cream maker is a great investment for enjoying homemade treats year-round—not just on July 23.

When is National Vanilla Ice Cream Day in 2025?

National Vanilla Ice Cream Day is observed annually on July 23.

Observations