Looking for new gelato flavours for 2026? This summer’s biggest ice cream trends are all about fruit-forward combinations, nostalgic flavours and vibrant colours that stand out in the cabinet.
With more people holidaying in the UK this year, ice cream parlours, dessert businesses and gelaterias have a huge opportunity to maximise summer sales with refreshing seasonal flavours.
Here are some of the biggest summer flavour trends we’re seeing across the gelato and ice cream industry.
Blueberry Gelato Is Trending
Blueberry is quickly becoming one of the standout flavours of 2026.
Already popular in bakery products like muffins and pancakes, blueberry has naturally crossed into gelato, sorbet and ice cream. Customers love its balance of sweetness, freshness and vibrant purple colouring.
Popular blueberry flavour combinations:
- Blueberry yoghurt gelato
- Blueberry muffin gelato
- Lemon and blueberry
- Matcha and blueberry
- Blueberry crumble
- Banana and blueberry
- White chocolate blueberry ripple
Blueberry sorbet also offers excellent natural colour without needing artificial enhancement, making it ideal for artisan gelato shops looking for clean, fresh flavour profiles.
Green Apple Flavours Return for Summer
Green apple is another flavour making a strong comeback in artisan gelato and ice cream.
Its refreshing sharpness works beautifully in:
- Gelato
- Dairy ice cream
- Fruit sorbets
- Soft serve specials
For premium flavour quality, fresh apple juice works particularly well in sorbet, while concentrated apple pastes help maintain flavour intensity in dairy recipes.
Best apple pairings:
- Apple and blackcurrant
- Apple and blueberry
- Apple and raspberry
- Apple and yuzu
- Apple and fruits of the forest
Green apple flavours also tap into the growing demand for nostalgic British flavours with a modern twist.
Tropical Gelato Flavours Are Still Growing
Tropical flavours continue to dominate summer cabinets thanks to their tangy, refreshing flavour profiles.
Some of the most popular tropical gelato ingredients right now include:
- Mango
- Passionfruit
- Pineapple
- Guava
- Coconut
- Lime
One combination still proving incredibly popular is pineapple, strawberry and lime – a nostalgic flavour profile that reminds many customers of the classic “Twister” ice lolly.
These flavours work especially well in:
- Sorbets
- Vegan gelato
- Fruit ripples
- Seasonal specials
World Cup Inspired Ice Cream Flavours
With the World Cup starting on 11th June, internationally themed gelato flavours could become a fun seasonal promotion for parlours and dessert businesses.
Country-inspired flavour ideas:
- Brazil: mango, guava and coconut
- USA: apple pie gelato with blueberry ripple
- Netherlands: pear gelato with orange ripple
- Spain: blood orange sorbet
- England: strawberries and cream or Eton Mess
Seasonal events like Wimbledon also create perfect opportunities for limited edition flavours and cabinet specials.
Looking for Gelato Ingredients in the UK?
At Antonelli, we supply premium gelato ingredients UK businesses trust, including:
- Gelato flavour pastes
- Fruit ripples
- Gelato bases UK
- Ice cream toppings wholesale
- Artisan gelato ingredients
- Commercial gelato ingredients
We also provide gelato training UK courses for businesses looking to grow their expertise and expand their menu offerings.
Whether you’re launching a new parlour or refreshing your summer cabinet, staying ahead of flavour trends can help drive customer engagement and increase sales throughout the season.