I Tried Chili Oil On Ice Cream — Here's What I Thought

trying the chili oil on ice cream food trend

I’m anice cream girl through and through. There’s always a pint in my freezer, I’ve become a self-proclaimed expert on Van Leeuwen’s menu, and I surely am no stranger to Sweet Treat O’ Clock trips to Sonic. Believe my dismay when I heard about the whole ‘putting chili oil on top of ice cream’ thing. Yes – I kid you not – we’re doing that now, and I’m here to assess the hype.

Don’t get me wrong, I *love* spicy food, but this combo seemed outlandish AF, sort of like the olive oil-infused Starbucks Oleato, and even more like Mustard Skittles. I want my ice cream scoops to be sweeter than sweet, and in my mind, there was no way that adding a spoonful of chili oil would make the dessert better. It’s already perfect!

Chili oil ice cream went viral a while back, but it was the team at Fly by Jing that put it right on my radar. Their promise that got me hooked? “The heat of the chilis is tamed by the cooling sensation of dairy leaving you buzzing for more (and more... and more).” To try out the food trend, I chose to drizzle their Sichuan Chili Crisp ($34 / 2-pack) over a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Photo by Meredith Holser

Taking a rather hesitant first bite full of chili flakes, the first thing I noticed was how deep the flavor was. Fly by Jing prides its Sichuan Chili Crisp for its 鲜 xian, AKA its umami notes, which is likely what my taste buds detected first. After that, the flavor experience made a brief stop at the sweetness I normally associate with ice cream, but made a quick turn towards that expected chili oil spice. After the burn lingered for a while, I found that I wasn’t really a fan of chili oil on ice cream. Like I said before, I’m an ice cream girl through and through, and nothing can get in the way of that.

I *did* think the pairing was quite interesting, though. It made for a true tasting journey as I tried to identify what the heck was going on in my mouth. I thought the crunch from the Sichuan Chili Crisp (which I normally put on foods that *aren’t* ice cream) made for a delightful detail, too. Perhaps this trend was made for someone with a much more elevated palette. That could be you!

Let us know – would you try chili oil on ice cream?

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Lead image via Fly by Jing.

The Starbucks summer menu just dropped, and it’s packed with some pretty divisive drinks. The menu lineup introduced a new flavor of Refreshers alongside something Starbucks has never done on a large scale before: boba. The most recent release also brought two new sweet treats to the pastry case – the Orange Cream Cake Pop and Pineapple Cloud Cake.

Given that these new sips and snacks really venture into uncharted territory, I had to give them a proper try to see if they’re worth it! If you’re on the fence about trying some items from this year’s Starbucks summer menu, scroll on for a totally honest review.

Summer-Berry Refresher

I got my hopes up for the new Refreshers with fruity boba. In hindsight, the long-awaited hype was not worth it. By itself, the Summer-Berry Refresher tastes just like blue Gatorade. Sorry not sorry.

The boba was expected to be the saving grace of this drink, but I was left wanting more after sipping down my first few pearls. The raspberry-flavored popping boba pieces supply a fun texture, but they’re not super flavorful. You also don’t get a great serving size based on the ratio of the drink.

Maybe it was just the location I went to, but though I was given the special wide boba straw, I couldn’t use it with the lid that came with my drink. My Refreshers were handed to me with the signature Starbucks sipper lid – which is too small to fit the new straws. Just a bit annoying, especially if you plan to drink this in the car or on the go!

Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher

I sipped theSummer-Berry Lemonade Refresher sans boba first. It definitely has more flavor than the OG, but it’s overwhelmingly lemonade-y. The zesty lemonade really overpowered the berry Refresher flavor, so much so that you can’t quite taste the berry.

I might recommend ordering this bev with a light amount of lemonade, so the flavors balance out more harmoniously.

Summer Skies Drink

Okay, y'all – the Summer Skies Drink redeems the rest of the Refreshers. Essentially, it’s the Summer-Berry Refresher with a splash of coconut milk, a la the Pink Drink. I think it’s my favorite of all 3 of them!

It’s creamy and mildly sweet, which works out wonderfully. With the boba, it’s definitely giving milk tea, which I – as a boba fiend – very much appreciate. Though I like the drink itself, I still wish the boba delivered a more berry-like flavor.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cold Brew

Well, yes! The White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew is – dare I say – the best thing on this year’s Starbucks summer menu. It’s so good. I typically associate nuttier coffee flavors with fall, but this bev has changed my mind. As much as I appreciate a sweet treat, this cold coffee was a nice reprieve from the all-new Berry Refreshers I had sipped beforehand.

This new menu item is great for those who don’t like a ton of sweetness — the bitter cold brew contrasts exceptionally well with the sweet white chocolate macadamia-flavored cold foam. It gets even better (my tasting notes read: “so very delicious”) when you stir in the cold foam with the coffee.

I also enjoy the little crunchy cookie crumble bits on top. While the popping boba (Starbucks is calling ‘em pearls) falls flat, these sprinkles actually enliven the drinking experience!

Orange Cream Cake Pop

New cake pop just dropped! And it’s everything. The hard shell that coats the tiny ball of cake in this treat is extremely satisfying. When I bit into it, it had an indescribable (in a good way) kind of crunch to it. And while the exterior is harder, the cakey inside is very moist. I wasn’t surprised at how good the texture was since most of Starbucks’ cake pops are scrumptious. That’s that for the texture…

As far as the flavor goes, I expected more of the Orange Cream Cake Pop. Sure, there’s a slight orange flavor – it’s not too overwhelming – but this skewered snack is definitely heavier on all things vanilla-y and downright sugary. It almost tastes like an orange Dreamsicle.

All that being said, I’d still order the Orange Cream Cake Pop over and over and over again if I just want a lil’ something.

Image via Starbucks

Pineapple Cloud Cake

I didn’t get to try the Pineapple Cloud Cake yet since the location I went to had sold out (a good sign, perhaps)! According to Starbucks, it’s “an airy cake filled with layers of pineapple cream, pineapple spread and whole fruit pieces with a sweet drizzle topping.”

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Photos by Meredith Holser.

The return of the capri pants is here, and it ACTUALLY isbetter than ever. We've all fallen prey to the 2000s madras bermuda and capri pants of our youth, so I was hesitant on these at first. Could this seemingly less-than-flattering length actually look good? But the more I see them styled in a fun, French-inspired way, the more I love them! This trend is definitely here to stay, so I rounded up everything from simple, denim capri pants to unique, polka dotted ones for you to shop! You're not gonna wanna miss these!

Shop Capri Pants Here!

ASOS Capri Trousers

If you're wanting to opt for more of a casual look then I'd suggest donning this pair from ASOS. It's a casual and more effortless look than your typical, structured capris we normally see.

Gloria Vanderbilt Capri

You can't do a capri pants roundup without some perfect white, Y2K pairs! These look straight out of a Hilary Duff (A Cinderella Story, anyone?!) movie, and I'm in love! They look incredibly comfortable while remaining put together at the same time.

Maeve Red Capris

I feel like this outfit would be worn by Bridgette Bardot with some curtain bangs and a raffia or straw basket bag and I'm in love! It's so cute and screams "summer at the beach" to me! Anthro always has the best finds!

Urban Outfitters Gingham Capris

Want to get a little more brave and out-there with the trend? This look would be perfect for you then! It is charming and quirky and oh-so-fun! I love the red detailing in the shoes but would love to see the capris paired with a black off-the-shoulder sweater!

Mango Belted Capri Trousers

This incredibly chic pair of capris are stylish and affordable at under $50! I love the Parisian way they're styled above with the sleek off-the-shoulder and kitten heels. Tres chic!

Maeve Polka Dot Capri Pants

Another incredible French-inspired option that will make you look like you're meant to be walking the streets of Paris in the nighttime. I adore the whole look here and the polka dots really pull the whole outfit together. Adding this to my cart as we speak!

Levi's 311 Capri Jeans

This Canadian tuxedo is the quintessential styling I imagine for these capris. A denim-on-denim moment is adorable and great for a night out where you can pair them with heels like above. Throw in a sequin purse for added measure, and you're ready to rock this throwback trend!

Topshop Zip Front Capris

This entire outfit looks like it was taken right off of the Grease set, and I'm not mad about it. I love the sultry effect of this outfit with the crop top and the heels that help to elongate the leg. I'm in love with this look!

NYDJ Utility Pants

These pants are probably my favorite in this whole roundup because they give off such a cool-girl vibe. The utility styles adds a masculine element to the feminine-style that is great for outfit juxtaposition. Strappy heels and a white tee shirt are the perfect pairing for these cute pants!

NYDJ Bridgette Pants

I love wide-leg cropped pants and these take cropped to a whole other level! I'm predicting that this style of capri will be everywhere for summertime. For under $100 that's a great deal as well!

Target Plus Size Cargo Capri

Cargo capris give me such Kim Possible vibes, and I'm so obsessed! I love this look and also love that it comes in extensive sizing as well! It's such a great affordable alternative to try the trend on a budget!

Target High Rise Capris

I actually have a pair extremely similar to these that I wear nonstop because of how comfortable they are. They almost feel like leggings but give the appearance of a put-together silhouette which I love. And Target is such an affordable option to try trends and not feel like you're wasting money on too many trends over time.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via Anthropologie

A French press obviously makes amazing coffee recipes, but its uses lie far beyond your morning cuppa Joe. Get ready to have your mind truly blown by an innovative yet surprisingly common sense use for this flavor-infusing machine: Craft cocktail recipes. Bars all over the country are employing this new drink trend, and TBH, we're kinda surprised we didn't use the French press for this purpose years ago. If you're looking for exciting new tequila recipes, take note!

Image via Fritz Hahn/The Washington Post

So here's the long and short of it. If you put fruits, herbs, and other flavorful delights into your French press and then pour your liquids (think booze as well as juices) over top, all those flavors are going to sit together and infuse. It's pretty logical actually — it works in the same way that coffee beans infuse hot water. After a few minutes, you'll press down gently on the plunger, squeezing the remaining flavors and juices out of your flavor-makers. Then you're ready to use the press to conveniently pour the drink into a waiting cocktail glass.

Image via Hard Rock Cafe Blues Berry Press/Hard Rock Cafe

French press cocktails are all the rage at various bars across the country. The Theodore in Dallas was one of the original purveyors of this *ingenious* new trend. One of their specialties was an unorthodox version of the hot toddy, made with lemon, blood orange, lemon, vanilla, honeycomb, and cinnamon as flavor-infusers. Those ingredients are placed in the bottom of the French press, while cognac, poppy liquor, bitters, Bénédictine, and hot water form the base of the drink.

Image via D Magazine

And The Theodore is hardly the only bar that embraced the trend. Provision No. 14 in Washington DC jumped on board the French press cocktail train as well, with one of their stand-out drinks involving a mixture of orange juice, pineapple, lemon, and chamomile, all infused with orange peels, lemon peels, and mint leaves.

Follow us on Pinterest for more cocktail trends and creative drink ideas!

Header image via Hard Rock Cafe Blues Berry Press/Hard Rock Cafe

I don't think there's a better way to describe Hilary Duff other than an icon. Starring in coming-of-age classics like Lizzie McGuireandA Cinderella Story, she shaped so many people's childhoods with her incredible acting skills and quirky antics. In her adult life, she continues to be a star, working on projects like How I Met Your Father and Younger. And, while her career accomplishments are beyond impressive, it really is how she manages to have it all that is truly inspirational.

Duff shared that she's expanding her sweet family with baby #4 in last December, and we couldn't be more excited for her! Here's everything we know about the wonderful big news.

Did Hilary Duff give birth?

Image via Hilary Duff/Instagram Stories

Yes! Hilary Duff gave birth to her fourth baby, Townes, on May 2, 2024. "Townes Meadow Bair 🧸 , now we know why she made us wait so long…She was perfecting those Cheeks!" Hilary said on Instagram. "I Have been dreaming of holding you in my arms for months and the past 5 days of getting to know you, stare at you and smell you has been pure moments of magic. We all love you like you’ve been here all along beauty."

How did Hilary Duff announce her pregnancy?

Image via Instagram

Hilary Duff dropped the big news on December 12 with an adorable set of Instagram pictures. The first one is of the front of the family's Christmas card and shows Duff with her family, as she holds her belly and looks surprised. The card says, "So much for silent nights."

We know never to just assume someone's pregnant, and, luckily, the second picture provided plenty of confirmation outside of Hilary's belly holding! The back of the card reads, "Buckle up Buttercups, we're adding one more to this crazy bunch!" So cute!

Hilary's husband, Matthew Koma, had his own cheeky way of announcing the big news. He posted the front of the Christmas card to his own Instagram account with the caption, "baby #4 is loading..." He also chose to add in a little cheeky location to the picture, which says "Vasectomy Clinic." I see what you did there, Matthew! 😂

Did any fellow celebs comment on Hilary's baby news?

Yup! Mandy Moore, Lucy Hale, Dakota Fanning, Ashley Benson, and many more shared their love and excitement for the expecting mommy. Alyson Stoner commented a super cute message on Duff's post that read "❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ just 8 more to complete the pack." This adorable nod to their Cheaper By the Dozen days is everything! We're so glad baby #4 already has such a strong village to welcome them.

How many kids does Hilary Duff have?

Image via Instagram

Hilary and her ex-husband, Mike Comrie, share an 11-year-old son named Luca.

In 2019, Hilary got re-married to Matthew Koma, and the couple welcomed two daughters — Banks and Violet. Banks is currently five and Mae is currently two. While it definitely seems like Duff has her hands full, she told Peoplethat she "loves this mayhem" and is "so in love with all my kids."

Has Hilary Duff shared anymore cute pictures of her growing baby bump?

Image via Hilary Duff/Instagram

Towards the end of January, Hilary shared a carousel on Instagram where the first image shows her taking a cute selfie in the mirror. She has a faux surprised expression on her face which makes us feel like she's bringing back the mirror selfie era. Aside from that, the carousel features candid images of her family and he beloved homemade sourdough bread which made her write this caption, "Soon this will all just be sourdough content," to sum up the content she shared.

Hilary Duff's latest pregnancy update on Instagram shows her sharing a touching moment with her husband Matthew Koma and their kids. She's seen wear ruched knit top that exposes her baby bump and it's almost giving us baby fever! And on March 20, Hilary shared a set of photos to Instagram that are getting us in the mood for spring. Sitting on a comfy white chair in a tank and shorts, armed with nothing but gold rings, tulips, and an amazing spring nail color, she lets us know she's still in the middle of "The wait…." It won't be long now!

As we count down to the days she gives birth, we'll share more updates throughout her pregnancy journey!

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Header image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images

This post has been updated.

Daily Harvest has made it their personal mission to ensure customers have access to sustainably-grown fruits and vegetables since 2015, becoming more and more popular for their delicious, ready-to-make frozen treats. While they've been direct-to-consumer for years, you can now find their most popular selections at Target!

The brand's special selection of smoothies, harvest bowls, and pops are now available in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Washington State! Eager customers will the option to choose from six tasty smoothies, eight harvest bowls, and two flavors of pops to satisfy whatever their taste buds are craving.

But, we know some of you may be wondering about the recall Daily Harvest issued a couple of years ago. That's why we talked to Andrew Noyes, Daily Harvest's VP of Communications and Corporate Affairs to help answer any questions you may have.

Image via Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest understands some customers may still have questions and concerns, but the brand ensures us that they're taking the necessary precautions to bring high quality products to consumers. Noyes says, "The recall was incredibly challenging, particularly for the consumers who were adversely impacted. Our team worked hard to get to the bottom of what occurred while trying to communicate transparently and effectively with all the key stakeholders. We have leveraged a lot of the learnings from this experience to ensure we continue to evolve and improve as a business."

Image via Daily Harvet

Not only that, but Daily Harvest is doing everything possible to develop a positive relationship with customers. "We’re doing that by focusing on our delicious fruit-and-veggie packed food, including the introduction of brand new collections and expansions of some of our best-selling items in grocery stores across the country. We’re also doing that by advancing our mission to make it easy for people to enjoy more sustainably grown, organic fruits and veggies daily while helping improve human and planetary health," says Noyes.

As far as their food quality and safety standards are concerned, Daily Harvest has made it easy for you learn about their new and continued efforts here. The standards open with, "Nothing matters more than the health and safety of our customers," and then outline how they pick ingredients, why they freeze them when they do, and how they maintain food safety throughout every step of the way. Their standards and certifications include:

Farm + Ingredient Supplier Standards

  • GAP (Good Agricultural Practices Program)
  • FDA facility registration
  • Pathogen, chemical + toxin testing
  • Organic certification (where applicable)
Manufacturing Standards
  • GFSI Accredited Certification (the leading food safety Coalition)
  • FDA facility registration
  • GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
  • Organic certifications
  • Documented food safety plan
  • Environmental monitoring program
  • Documented allergen control program
  • Validated preventative controls program
  • Pathogen, chemical + toxin testing
  • Monitoring equipment calibrations

Image via Daily Harvest

It goes without saying that Daily Harvest is super excited to launch their products in Target.

Noyes readily says, "Our debut at Target is one of our company’s most exciting retail launches yet. They're a great fit for us because their guests are looking to meet a lot of the needs that Daily Harvest fills. Many have young kids in the household, they're in search of convenient food, made from high quality ingredients that tastes good and is also good for them. Plus, Target has a long history of bringing fresh, exciting brands to the forefront and their guests go there to find and try new things."

As longtime fans of everything Target has to offer, we can't argue with that. Still, Noyes wants to make sure customers know how special Daily Harvest's collaboration with the retailer is. "Because we exist to help consumers eat more fruits and vegetables, it’s important that we provide options across their day, not just for one occasion or day-part. That's why we’re intentionally launching across three occasions at Target: breakfast, lunch and snacks. The SKUs we’ve selected are some of the best-selling in our DTC channel and showcase a range of flavor profiles within each collection. We’re excited for many of their guests to find us in the freezer aisle and try our Smoothies, Harvest Bowls and Pops for the very first time."

This collaboration is meant to help Daily Harvest tap into a wider market that's looking for easier meal options when they're pressed for time. As a working mom who's discovering she has a few food aversions, this sounds like a match made in heaven.

As a reminder, Noyes wants you to know that Daily Harvest’s food is free from dairy, gluten, gums, artificial colors and artificial flavors, and as such is suitable for many consumers’ needs and preferences. Check and mate!

With all that in mind, here are the Daily Harvest goodies you can grab right now at Target!

Smoothies

Strawberry and Peach Smoothie

Tastes like strawberry banana sorbet

Can't get enough of strawberry desserts and need an option you can eat while on the go? Get your freezer ready to welcome Daily Harvest's Strawberry and Peach Smoothie! It has sweet strawberries, tart raspberries, and sour goji berries that'll supply your body with all the nutrients it loves.

You'll also enjoy munching on the blend of peaches, gluten-free oats, and flax seeds that help give this smoothie a delectable crunch.

Açai and Cherry Smoothie

Tastes like acai smoothie bowl

This antioxidant-rich Acai and Cherry Smoothie is for anyone who loves making sweet smoothie recipes. As much as you may love making them, we think it's okay to give your blender a break by indulging in this yummy option. What makes it stand out is the hidden dose of kale you find in every bite.

You'll be surprised it's in there because all you'll taste is purely good sweetness!

Banana and Almond Smoothie

Tastes like nut butter swirled banana bread

I think Daily Harvest may have cracked the code by crafting a delicious smoothie that tastes like banana bread. It has a beautiful blend of bananas, cacao, vanilla bean, nut butter, and maca root in it that'll make you wonder if it's really healthy or not.

The answer is yes!

Mint and Cacao Smoothie

Tastes like mint chip ice cream

You've never tasted mint chip ice cream like this before. The minty peppermint blends nicely with the added chlorella while the bananas and cashew make you wonder if it's time to replace your heavy breakfast with something much lighter.

Blueberry and Cacao Smoothie

Tastes like dark covered chocolate blueberries

Always get a craving for chocolate right before your period? Try eating Daily Harvest's Blueberry and Cacao Smoothie as a healthy replacement for the candy bars you keep stashed by your nightstand. It also features kale, spinach and maca root for a blend that'll send your taste buds on a lovely journey.

Mango and Greens Smoothie

Tastes like swirled cucumber mango juice

Don't worry if you haven't booked your tropical vacation yet because this Mango and Greens smoothie is the next best thing. It tastes like literal sunshine in a cup with it's juicy mango, coconut, camu camu, and lime!

Harvest Bowls

Black Bean and Cheeze Harvest Bowl

There's a yummy black bean and cheese burrito waiting for you, but it's in bowl form! This is something I know my S.O. will love because it features black beans, cilantro, peppers, and a scrumptious cashew queso that he'll be talking about for days.

Brussels Sprouts and Tahini Harvest Bowl

I've never been a fan of eating Brussel sprouts, but this harvest bowl may make me change my mind because it has butternut squash, leeks, hazeltnuts, lentils, and sesame tahini it it. I love tahini on a good day so having a healthier version of it sounds like music to my ears, er, taste buds.

Spinach and Shiitake Grits Harvest Bowl

Those who are lactose-intolerant will fall in love with Daily Harvest's Spinach and Shiitake Grits Harvest Bowl. Instead of dairy, the nutritional yeast, cashew butter, and olive oil will create the vibe you're in the mood for. Also, you won't have to worry about a corn allergy because the 'grits' are millet and it's gluten-free!

Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Hash Harvest Bowl

Someone at Daily Harvest really loves burritos, but that's cool because we love them too! Actually, I've taken to eating more sweet potatoes these days so this is yet another bowl I have to try. Also, I've never had a smoky-sweet tomato sauce before so mouth is extremely curious to know how that tastes.

Lentil and Tomato Bolognese Harvest Bowl

It seems like Lentils and tomatoes are the stars of this Daily Harvest's show; not that we're complaining! Coupled with the cremini mushrooms and leeks, you'll get the heartiness of a traditional bolognese bowl without feeling weighed down afterwards.

Broccoli and Cheeze Harvest Bowl

This is just like Daily Harvest's Black Bean and Cheeze bowl except you'll have broccoli in it instead. It reminds us of the many vegetarian casserole recipes we've tried over the years, except there's no prep work involved!

Cauliflower Rise and Pesto Harvest Bowl

We live for a grain-free moment and this bowl isn't short of that. With basil, spinach, cashews, and olive oil serving as the base for the pesto sauce, we know we're in a for a healthy treat!

Herbed Squash and Asparagus Risotto Harvest Bowl

We're suddenly craving risotto again and it's all because of Daily Harvest's Cauliflower Rise and Pesto bowl! The brown rice, kabocha squash, garlic, asparagus, and more create tons of flavor that'll make anyone wonder where this dish has been all their lives.

Pops

Strawberry and Dragon Fruit Smoothie Pop

Daily Harvest's smoothie pops will forever change the way you approach popsicles because they taste good and they're healthy! For instance, this version has strawberry, banana, dragon fruit, cherry and cauliflower purées in it. Yes, we said cauliflower.

Blueberry and Banana Smoothie Pop

If your kids won't stop begging you for popsicles, trick them into eating their fruits and veggies with this Blueberry and Banana Smoothie Pop. It has blueberry, raspberry, and banana purées along with a put of spinach tossed in for good measure. They'll never know what hit them!

The last thing Noyes wants you to know is that "It has been less than a year since we launched in retail and you can expect to see more Daily Harvest items in the freezer aisles of more stores coast-to-coast in the months ahead." We're looking forward to see them launch online throughout the week!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Daily Harvest