The weather’s been getting warm and sticky, which only means one thing as far as I’m concerned: ice cream for every meal. Here’s my take on the best sweet frozen treats the city has to offer:

1 :: Ample Hills Creamery :: This friendly Prospect Heights store scoops up the richest flavors perfect for an afternoon treat. The ice cream is made from locally-farmed ingredients and includes toffee bar crunch, cotton candy and peppermint pattie. It’s worth the trek from Manhattan just to try their homemade cake pieces. Where: 623 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn.

2 :: Alchemy Creamery :: Vegans and lactose intolerants, you have not been forgotten! Alchemy Creamery gets creative (from almond marzipan to chocolate chai) but my favorites are the push pops that come with a cookie crumb surprise at the bottom. Where: Smorgasburg and stores including the Sweet Shop on East 73rd St and Bill Grand in Williamsburg.

3 :: People’s Pops :: I love these fruit-crammed, handmade ice lollies. Thankfully they appear in a lot of food markets over the summer. Try the lime! Where: Stores in Park Slope, Chelsea Market, East Village and on the High Line.

4 :: Melt Bakery :: What’s your favorite sandwich filling? Mine’s ice cream. This Lower East Side store stuffs banana ice cream between peanut butter cookies, among other glorious pairings. And aren’t they pretty? Where: 132 Orchard Street and Chelsea Market.

5 :: Ralph’s Italian Ices :: I only recently discovered the joys of Italian ice and now I can’t get enough of it. It’s far more thirst-quenching than ice cream and I like to tell myself it’s healthier, too. My favorite is passion fruit. Where: East 24th Street. There’s also Uncle Louie G’s by Prospect Park and other Brooklyn locations.

6 :: Van Leeuwen :: With flavors like Earl Grey Tea and Gianduja (i.e. chocolate spread), this is fancy artisan ice cream like you’ve never tasted. Recently I had a palm sugar flavor that was magnificent. They do vegan ice cream, too. Where: East Village, Greenpoint, Boerum Hill and lots of trucks around the city.

7 :: Chinatown Ice Cream Factory :: Definitely one of the most interesting ice cream experiences. Flavors include Chinese egg custard, red bean, taro and Pandan, which is a Malaysian Leaf used to flavor desserts. They have regular flavors too. Where: Bayard Street between Elizabeth and Mott in Chinatown.

It’s miserable weather today, but fingers crossed the sun pops back out this weekend so I can get feasting. Do you have a favorite spot I should try?

Thanks to Quiche-a-Week, Alchemy Creamery, People’s Pops,  Melt Bakery, Van Leewen and Chinkerfly on flickr for photos.