National Coffee Ice Cream Day

National Coffee Ice Cream Day is celebrated on September 6 each year — a delightful tribute to one of the most comforting and energizing frozen treats out there.

History of National Coffee Ice Cream Day

While it’s hard to pin down exactly when the day was first marked, National Coffee Ice Cream Day consistently appears on calendars on September 6. The intersection of coffee and ice cream, however, has a deeper story. The earliest known mention of coffee-flavored frozen dessert dates back to 1869, when coffee was used in parfaits; a printed recipe for a related treat—“egg coffee” with cream, crushed ice, and coffee syrup—appeared in a cookbook in 1919. Over time, coffee ice cream has become a staple flavor, beloved in parlors and freezers worldwide.

Why is National Coffee Ice Cream Day important?

This day is a gentle nudge to savor something both comforting and invigorating. Coffee ice cream isn’t just about flavor—it’s a curl of memory (maybe your first scoop as a kid), a wink of indulgence, and a little jolt of energy all rolled into one. It’s the frozen version of that warm hug in the morning.

There’s also something quietly celebratory in noticing how classic flavors like coffee get a makeover. It speaks to creativity, to how people keep playing around with traditions—mixing heritage (coffee culture) with a playful twist (cool, smooth ice cream). And if you’re someone who feels alive for a jolt of caffeine in a creamy scoop, this day feels like it was made just for you.

Some heartfelt reasons it matters:

• it honors a flavor that wakes you up and calms you down at the same time
• it brings small daily pleasure into the spotlight
• it reminds us that food evolves with creativity and memory
• it connects us through shared simple joys
• it gives coffee lovers an excuse to indulge in a frozen sip

How to Celebrate National Coffee Ice Cream Day

Honestly, celebrating this day can be as simple as grabbing a scoop (or two) of coffee ice cream from your local creamery—or making it at home! If you enjoy cooking, trying your hand at a homemade batch using real-infused coffee can make the day feel special and personal.

You can take it a bit further by mixing up a classic affogato—like a comforting, grown-up scoop: scoop coffee ice cream into a cup and pour hot espresso over it. Or splurge on a café liégeois, a French-style chilled dessert combining coffee-flavored ice cream, sweetened coffee, and whipped cream for a dreamy treat.

Some fun, simple ideas:

• treat yourself to a scoop or cone of coffee ice cream
• make a batch of homemade coffee ice cream—infused, fun, and comforting
• whip up an affogato: espresso and ice cream magic
• share a scoop with someone and swap stories over the chill
• try or make a café liégeois for a classic café-style dessert

National Coffee Ice Cream Day Dates Table