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The 10 Most Expensive Ice Creams in the World and Why

The 10 Most Expensive Ice Creams in the World and Why

Ice cream has been around for centuries, although no individual has been credited with its invention. In the United States, we think of ice cream as a very affordable treat. But there are some places in the world, from New York to Dubai, where people pay a high price for their ice cream.

In this blog post, we will explore the ten most expensive ice creams in the world and find out what makes them so special.

Here’s a list of the ten most expensive ice creams in the world:

  • 10 – Arnaud’s Restaurant, New Orleans: Strawberries Arnaud (Costs Between $9 and $9.85 Million)
  • 9 – BarMasa, New York: Summer Truffle Ice Cream (Costs $65)
  • 8 – Gelato Messina, Australia: Dr. Evil’s Magic Mushroom (Costs Approx. $71)
  • 7 – Snowflake, London: Billionaire Soft Serve (Costs approx. $132)
  • 6 – Scoopi Cafe, Dubai: The Black Diamond (Costs $817)
  • 5 – Serendipity 3, New York: Golden Opulence Sundae (Costs $1000)
  • 4 – Langham Hotel’s Pavillion Restaurant, Chicago: The Victoria (Costs $1,000)
  • 3 – Bagatelle, Paris: Mauboussin Sundae (Costs $1000)
  • 2 – Serendipity 3, New York: Frrrozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae (Costs $25,000)
  • 1 – Three Twins Ice Cream: The Absurdity Sundae (Costs $60,000)

10 – Arnaud’s Restaurant, New Orleans: Strawberries Arnaud (Costs Between $9 and $9.85 Million)

Arnauds-Restaurant-Strawberries-Arnaud-costs-9.85-million
photo source: Arnaud’s Restaurant

We’re thrilled to myth-bust this permanent fixture on a lot of expensive ice cream lists. If you’re looking for a luxurious strawberry ice cream sundae then look no further than Arnaud’s Restaurant in New Orleans.

This restaurant is known for its extravagant desserts and the Strawberries Arnaud Sundae is supposedly the most expensive in the world.

This sundae costs between $9 and $9.85 million. It’s made with a variety of ingredients including Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, fresh strawberries, and port wine sauce.

Legend has it the luxe version of this sundae comes with an antique diamond ring with a historical link to the founding family. However, you can make Strawberries Arnaud at home, following the recipe on the restaurant’s website. It’s also on the restaurant’s menu for a modest $9 albeit without the ring and any fancy garnishes.

What Makes The Strawberries Arnaud So Expensive?

It would be easy to say the ingredients make this dish expensive and a lot of other articles claim that. But, a quick look at the restaurant menu reveals this dish is available sans family heirloom for a mere $9.

Instead, what we need to establish is that the diamond ring, which some journalists claim accompanies this dish, is the real reason for the supposed cost. We’re going to myth-bust this one and say the most expensive ice cream on a lot of other lists, is the most affordable on ours. It’s the ice cream we’re here for and this ice cream sundae is yours for only nine bucks!

9 – BarMasa, New York: Summer Truffle Ice Cream (Costs $65)

Summer-Truffle-Ice-Cream

Some other publications have been excited to talk about how a single serving of truffle ice cream at a Japanese specialty restaurant called BarMasa in Las Vegas. However, you might be surprised to learn that’s out-of-date information.

The Las Vegas BarMasa has closed down for good.

The special ice cream was so beloved by customers that it became a regular item on the company’s menu and if you stroll into BarMasa in New York which is still open, you’ll be able to enjoy a bowl of Summer Truffle Ice Cream for a bargain $65.

Why Is Summer Truffle Ice Cream So Expensive?

This particular ice cream is made with shaved white truffles, milk, and heavy cream. It’s then flavored with vanilla and a touch of salt to bring out the flavor of the truffles.

Truffles are a rare delicacy and can cost as much as $3000 per pound. So, it’s no wonder that a bowl of this ice cream will set you back $65.

8 – Gelato Messina, Australia: Dr. Evil’s Magic Mushroom (Costs Approx. $71)

Dr-Evil-Magic-Mushroom
photo source: Messina

This Australian ice cream chain is known for its gourmet flavors and high prices. Technically not just ice cream but one of their ice cream cakes, this is a chocolate ice cream-based, mushroom-shaped monstrosity.

Dr. Evil’s Magic Mushroom reminds us of Mario videogames and it’s intended to serve up to up to 20 people, but that might be unrealistic for those of us who love ice cream.

What Makes Dr. Evil’s Magic Mushroom So Expensive?

So, what makes this ice cream so expensive? The answer lies in its unique flavor and the quality of its ingredients. Gelato Messina only uses the finest peanut cookies inside the cake and a lot of popping candy for this masterpiece’s feuilletine grass base.

The incredible dulce de leche and flourless chocolate sponge at the heart of this ice cream sculpture creates a flavor combination that few other brands can replicate. The mushroom is finished with red chocolate glaze and white chocolate dots.

7 – Snowflake, London: Billionaire Soft Serve (Costs Approx. $132)

Billionaire-Soft-Serve
photo source: eaten.io

The Snowflake ice cream store in London’s Selfridges store is one of the most popular places to get a scoop of the cold stuff. But it’s not just the ice cream that’s well-known across London, it’s also the extravagant prices. For example, their Billionaire Soft Serve costs approx. $132.

It’s priced at 99 British Pounds Sterling, in homage to the classic British ice cream known as a 99 flake. With the final construction taking almost 15 minutes in-store at Selfridges, this creamy treat requires more than four hours to produce in total, from start to finish!

What Makes The Billionaire Soft Serve So Expensive?

Expensive ingredients are the reason behind the cost of this ice cream. It was invented by Silvia Gaetta.

It features caramelized pecans, salted caramel gelato, fruit sorbet, dark chocolate sorbet, a handmade raspberry macaron, white chocolate truffles, and a Cadbury flake chocolate wrapped in gold leaf. There are also some secret recipe sauces injected into the ice cream to the customer’s preference.

6 – Scoopi Cafe, Dubai: The Black Diamond (Costs $817)

Scoopi-Cafe-The-Black-Diamond
photo source: Alarabiya News

This Dubai-based cafe is known for its luxurious desserts and high prices. The most expensive ice cream at Scoopi Cafe is called The Black Diamond and it costs $817. The ice cream is made with Madagascar vanilla bean gelato and it’s topped with edible gold leaf.

What Makes The Black Diamond So Expensive?

Edible gold leaf is rare and expensive. It has to be completely pure (24 karats), and it’s thin enough that light can shine through it. Gold leaf is also sometimes used in other luxury foods like Goldschlager schnapps liqueur.

The Black Diamond is also special because of its unique flavor. The Madagascar vanilla bean gelato is made with only the finest ingredients.

The ice cream is then topped with luxurious toppings including slices of black Italian truffle and Iranian saffron. It’s served in a Versace bowl with a gold spoon, both of which can be kept by the customer.

5 – Serendipity 3, New York: Golden Opulence Sundae (Costs $1000)

Golden-Opulence-Sundae
photo source: CNBC

This New York City restaurant is known for its over-the-top desserts, and the Golden Opulence Sundae is no exception.

This sundae costs $1000 and it’s made with Tahitian vanilla ice cream, edible 23-karat gold leaf, and Amedei Porcecchio chocolate. The sundae is also topped with gold dragets (pieces of candy) and served with a golden spoon.

What Makes The Golden Opulence Sundae So Expensive?

The Tahitian vanilla used to make this ice cream is the most expensive in the world, so it’s no surprise that it’s used in this luxurious sundae. The edible 23-karat gold leaf is also rare and expensive.

The Amedei Porcecchio chocolate is made with only the finest cocoa beans.

Serendipity 3 has two ice creams that have made it onto this list, the other one is called the Frrrozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae, and remarkably it’s even more expensive! Some reports claim that they sell approximately one of these sundaes a month.

4 – Langham Hotel’s Pavillion Restaurant, Chicago: The Victoria (Costs $1,000)

The-Victoria-sundae
photo source: dnainfo.com

This hotel is known for its luxury accommodations and high prices. The Victoria sundae at the Langham Hotel’s Pavillion Restaurant costs $1000. It’s topped with a chocolate crown, gold dragets, and a 23-karat gold leaf.

Hennessy VSOP is poured over the ice cream to make it even boozier and more grown-up.

What Makes The Victoria So Expensive?

The Victoria is made with Madagascan vanilla ice cream, gold leaf, and truffles. It’s served in a Wedgewood crystal bowl. The customer gets to keep that and it also comes with a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne. The chocolate crown is made with Amedei Porcecchio chocolate.

It was invented by the hotel’s executive chef Scott Green. He was inspired by the British royal family when he created this sundae.

3 – Bagatelle, Paris: Mauboussin Sundae (Costs $1000)

Mauboussin-Sundae
photo source: Thrillist

Sebastian Chamaret, the head chef at Bagatelle invented the dish to honor the jewelry designer Mauboussin.

It is made with:

  • Homemade vanilla ice cream
  • Chocolate truffles
  • Handmade French macarons
  • Sorbet made from Dom Perignon rose champagne
  • Dark chocolate brownies gilded in edible 24 carat gold
  • Fresh whipped cream

The culinary masterpiece is served in an oversized martini glass covered in chocolate vodka sauce.

Each diner that orders the four-figured sundae also receives a black steel, white gold, and diamond ring to take home. The parlor only makes eight of these per day so it is best to call ahead if you plan on indulging in this dessert.

What Makes the Mauboussin Sundae So Expensive?

The Mauboussin sundae is not only expensive because of the high-quality ingredients that are used, but also because of the time and effort that goes into making it.

The chocolate truffles, for example, are made with 72% cocoa solids dark chocolate and require a lot of skill to make properly. The handmade French macaroons are also a labor-intensive dessert and require a lot of time and attention to make.

Then there is the Dom Perignon rose champagne sorbet, which is made with freshly-squeezed orange juice and requires an ice cream maker that can handle making frozen alcohol (a tricky scientific feat). The gold leaves are real 24-carat gold leaf that needs to be handled with care or it will tear.

2 – Serendipity 3, New York: Frrrozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae (Costs $25,000)

Frrrozen-Haute-Chocolate-Ice-Cream-Sundae
photo source: Thrillist

The Frrrozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae also from Serendipity 3 is another example of the extravagant sweets that the company is recognized for. This sundae costs a whopping $25,000 and it’s made with five grams of 24-karat gold powder, 28 cocoas, and Madagascan vanilla ice cream.

It’s another viral sensation that has been covered by expensive listicles all over the internet. The sundae is meant to be shared by up to eight people, so it’s not just the price that’s excessive!

More Myth-Busting

This is another interesting, incorrectly written about ice cream sundae. Let’s do some more myth-busting. Although this ice cream sundae when spelled ‘Haute’ is a premium, shockingly expensive product, when it’s spelled ‘hot’ instead, it becomes a regular sundae that they offer.

The Frrrozen Hot Chocolate offered by Serendipity 3 is one of the best selling, and presumably most modestly priced products they offer. It’s priced at just $10.95. They also sell the special cocoa powder used in their recipe to make it at home!

To keep things exciting, they don’t have the prices on their menu, so I guess anyone who wants to know how much their dishes cost will have to call them?

What Makes the Frrrozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae So Expensive?

The main reason this sundae is so expensive is because it’s a publicity stunt. Here’s a list of the things that make this sundae expensive. It’s in the Guinness Book of World Records.

  • A baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet
  • 18-carat gold and white diamond bracelet
  • Five grams of 24 carats edible gold
  • La Madeline au Truffle shavings ($2,500 a pound)
  • a $14,000 jewel-encrusted spoon
  • Serendipity frozen hot chocolate mix that contains 14 rare and secret cocoas

Joe Calderone, the head chef is quoted as saying that children’s charities in New York would be given all profits from this dessert if they ever sell one.

The Frrrozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae is truly a work of art, and it’s no wonder that it costs so much!

1 – Three Twins Ice Cream: The Absurdity Sundae (Costs $60,000)

The-Absurdity-Sundae
photo source: alux.com

The Absurdity Sundae was the most expensive ice cream in the world but it has since been beaten by a strawberry creation in New Orleans. This sundae costs a staggering $60,000!

Three Twins Ice Cream is the company behind the dish. The dish is the brainchild of the company’s founder. The company’s founder Neal Gottlieb was inspired during his hike up Mount Kilimanjaro in 2011. He made ice cream in the snow and realized it was something he could do again with paying customers.

According to Gottlieb, $10,000 of the $60,000 ice cream price goes to an African environmental charity. The purchase of the luxury ice cream also aids in raising public awareness of the glaciers which are anticipated to disappear in the next 10 to 15 years as a result of climate change.

Why Is the Absurdity Sundae So Expensive?

The cost of this sundae is high because if you order it, included in the price, you will be flown first-class to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

There you will be provided with five-star accommodation. At the mountain, chef Neil Gottlieb himself will make ice cream using ice scraped from the summit. If you have an extra $25,000 to spend, you may bring a companion with you.

Those Were the 10 Most Expensive Ice Creams in the World

Thanks for reading our list of the 10 most expensive ice creams in the world. We hope you enjoyed it! What were the most expensive types of ice cream you ever had? Do you think the ice creams on this list are worth the money?

Check out our blog for more about the most expensive things in the world including other luxurious foods.