Only One US State Claims Chocolate Ice Cream As Its Most Ordered Flavor

In the U.S., ice cream is the most popular dessert category. According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), ice cream makers in the U.S produced 1.23 billion gallons of ice cream in 2025. It's no surprise that ice cream is so popular; the rich, creamy texture paired with proper sweetness and a unique flavor twist can hit the right note on a warm day. According to Instacart's 2026 Ice Cream Report, among all the delectable taste sensations available in the U.S., only one state's favorite flavor was chocolate: Florida.

Floridians who shopped with Instacart in 2025 ordered a larger percentage of chocolate ice cream than any other state. However, the amount sold, 7.9%, made it the second most popular nationwide. It's good to note that the most-ordered flavor can change yearly, as Instacart's 2024 Ice Cream Report suggests Floridians at the time preferred rum raisin. Whichever flavor you enjoy, if you visit Florida, be sure to check out Let's Chill, an establishment on our list of the best ice cream shops in every state.

The Instacart report suggests that ice cream is a highly local and regional business. Marketing efforts mirror this phenomenon, and major creameries from each region tend to dominate in the states where they operate. In Wisconsin, Moose Tracks is the top seller on Instacart; Kemps is a major creamery in the region, and produces numerous versions of animal tracks flavors. In the western states where Tillamook is a big supplier, flavors with regional themes appear, and Rocky Road topped orders on Instacart there.

The source and type of data can often point to different flavors as favorites or top sellers. For example, in 2026, vanilla accounted for 21% of orders on Instacart, making it the most-ordered nationwide. Yet, an IDFA survey of 2,200 people suggests that chocolate has been the favorite flavor in the U.S. since 2024, when it topped vanilla. And the market is growing. The MarkWide Research website suggests that the global market size for chocolate ice cream is forecast to grow from $18.7 billion in 2026 to $31.06 billion in 2035. One of the reasons for this might include increased distribution channels for family-oriented ice cream buyers, the primary purchasers of ice cream.

The most compelling reasons for the popularity of chocolate ice cream might stem from just how good chocolate tastes, especially as an ice cream flavor. Paired with a brand of ice cream that brings out the best blend of airiness, texture, fat, and sweetness, like one of the better brands of store-bought ice cream, its flavor and mouthfeel may be a perfect treat. Chocolate's unique and complex flavor profile, which is determined by the variety and cacao content, can create a wonderful partner to ice cream; there's actually one type that's the best chocolate for making homemade ice cream. In addition, according to a study by the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry (via Science Direct), consuming dark chocolate can even benefit mood. So these bitter, sweet, and rich flavors can be an uplifting treat on warm days and anytime the craving strikes.