Graeter’s Peppermint Ice Cream

There are some ice cream flavors that remind of when I was a kid, which transport me to the seasonal New England dairy stands of my childhood in just one lick. Of all those, one flavor has stood the test of time: peppermint stick. The cool creaminess of mint ice cream, the crunch of candy shards, that festive pink tint (what other color would it be?), has an appeal that transcends the tastes of childhood. Graeter's peppermint stick ice cream, a seasonal flavor from the legendary Ohio creamery that's only around during the holidays, is a direct line to my childhood: to my delight, the color is still that bright candy pink, but the tint comes courtesy of beet and vegetable coloring—no artificial anything—and even the candies are made by hand. The flavor, too, is faithful to my memory: brisk peppermint spice mellowed by sugar and cream. Graeter's only ships their pints by the half dozen, which means you can taste some of their other classic flavors (the fruity black raspberry chip is my other favorite), a fine excuse to relive your own memories past.