Sometimes you gotta switch it up, and in the summertime non-dairy treats might be one of the best ways we know.
Granted, summers in Charlotte can be unbearably hot and there’s nothing better than a cold, sweet treat to cool down which means, of course, ice cream is usually the go-to. And it helps that Charlotte’s got delectable ice cream shops all over the city. But the Queen City offers a surprisingly wide variety of frozen alternatives that are just as tasty. From frosé to snoballs, here’s a list of our favorite non-dairy frozen treats to make your day a little cooler.
King of Pops – King of Pops has already established itself as one of the South’s most prominent popsicle vendors, selling in stores all over Charlotte, Savannah, Richmond, Charleston, Atlanta, Greenville, and Athens. Their oh-so-refreshing and innovative flavors include watermelon mojito, blackberry banana, raspberry lime, and blueberry lemonade. They even offer popsicles for dogs, so your pup can cool off too.
kingofpops.com
Popbar – Recently opened in NoDa, this popsicle bar makes fresh batches of non-dairy treats daily using natural ingredients. Their sweet treats come in four varieties — gelato, sorbetto, yogurt, and a gelato sandwich, each with different flavors including coffee, coconut, pistachio, kiwi, strawberry-pineapple, peach yogurt, and more. You can also customize your popsicle with chopped nuts, a chocolate drizzle, or have it dipped entirely in chocolate. They even offer frozen drinks such as frozen hot chocolate and a milkshake.
pop-bar.com
Pelican’s – You don’t need to fly down to New Orleans for an authentic New Orleans style snoball. Pelican’s has got you covered. Fluffy shaved ice doused in sweet syrup is the perfect sweet treat for the summer. With over 100 flavors to choose from, you can mix and match to your heart’s desire!
pelicanssnoballs.com
Sycamore Brewing and City Lights Rooftop – King of Pops has joined Sycamore Brewing and City Lights Rooftop to create one of the best drinks for the summer. A glass of champagne or prosecco topped off with a popsicle. Various popsicle flavors allow for the creation of new drinks, such as a peach popsicle with champagne to create a bellini or an orange basil popsicle with champagne to create a mimosa. What’s not to love about sipping champagne and eating a popsicle at the same time?
citylightsrooftop.com
Kindred – Kindred is known for having great cocktails and this summer, they’ve given us a special treat with their new frosé. Rosé is mixed with mandarin oranges or strawberries, lemon juice, simple sugar syrup, and amarro, and then frozen into a slushie. Light, tart, icy, and delicious!
kindreddavidson.com
Clean Juice – If you’re in the mood for something a little healthier when it comes to non-dairy treats, head to Clean Juice for one of their smoothie bowls, made with all organic ingredients. Their Pitaya Bowl features dragon fruit instead of acai, blended with banana, mango, and almond milk, and topped with granola, coconut chips, goji berries, and chia seeds. To get your fill of veggies, opt for the Green Bowl — acai blended with spinach, kale, banana, honey, almond milk, and matcha, and topped with granola, honey, and more banana.
cleanjuicebar.com
Rico’s Acai – For another healthier option, look out for Rico’s Acai, who is dedicated to serving Charlotteans acai bowls with a variety of toppings. The Butter Bro Bowl features acai puree, granola, banana, almond butter, peanut butter, nutella, and hemp seeds, while the Rainbow Bowl has more fresh fruit and includes banana, strawberries, and pineapple, or kiwi, mango, blueberries, and raspberries.
ricosacai.com
