NITRO CRÈME FRAÎCHE
Colborne Lane, 45 Colborne St., 416-368-9009
Hand-churned in a nitro-fuelled billow of cold smoke and plated like a po-mo sundae, this is dessert as art. With an incredibly rich, tangy cream base (both sour and fraîche) and an intense lemon kick, it’s simply the best ice cream we’ve tasted. Ever. $17.

STAR ANISE
Greg’s Ice Cream, 750 Spadina Ave., 416-962‑4734
The combination of heavy cream and finely ground star anise makes for a supremely smooth, mellow bite. It might induce momentary eye closing; snagging a sidewalk seat is recommended. Small cup $3.85.

PEDRO XIMENEZ AND PRUNE
Xococava, 1560 Yonge St., 416-979-9918
Forget the medicinal ring to the word “prune.” This barely sweet vanilla ice cream is dotted with plump and chewy chunks of sherry-soaked fruit. It’s like rum-raisin but with sun-ripened Spanish swagger. $9 per half-litre.

DULCE DE LECHE AND BAILEYS
Silver Spoon, 390 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-516-8112
Dulce de leche has become a staple in local parlours, but none is quite like this. Gooey caramel cream churned with a few free-handed glugs of Baileys and crushed Tahitian vanilla beans makes for boozy goodness. Ice cream trio $8.

ONTARIO BLUEBERRY AND BASIL
Soma Chocolatemaker, 55 Mill St., 416-815-7662
Soma’s gelato whizzes seem to have packed an entire blueberry patch into every scoop. Flecked with basil and popping with tiny seeds, this not-too-sweet sorbet is pure summer freshness. Small cup $3.75.