The first time I tried Rita's Italian Ice was only a few years ago. I had recently moved to Orlando, Florida, and during a date, I was introduced to Gelati. The relationship didn't last long but my love for the combination of Italian Ice and frozen custard still stands strong today. Founded in 1984 by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo, Rita's (formally known as Rita's Water Ice) was created after Tumolo purchased a recipe for Italian ice from his elderly neighbor. After adding in more fruit and adjusting flavors, Tumolo opened his first shop. Today there are over 600 locations of Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard across the nation that serve cool treats fresh daily.
What are Water Ice and Italian Ice?
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Unlike ice cream which is dairy-based, water ice is a frozen treat made out of sweetened fruit juice. It was originally brought to America (specifically the Philadelphia area) by Italian immigrants. It's firmer than a slushie and smoother than shaved ice. What about Italian Ice? Have no fear, it's the same product just a different name. Whether you call it water ice or Italian ice it's the same frosty treat.
Along with scoops of Italian ice, Rita's also offers treats such as creamy frozen custard, Mistos (Italian ice blended with old fashioned frozen custard), Blendinis ( frozen custard and Italian ice blended with your favorite toppings), Concretes (your favorite flavor of custard loaded with toppings), Milkshakes, and Gelati (a sundae layered with frozen custard and Italian ice.
Rita's Italian Ice Flavors
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The hardest decision is figuring out which flavor to get! Please check with your local Rita's for the availability of flavors.
Italian Ice Flavors
These flavors are mostly fruit-based.
- Apple Berry Blue
- Banana
- Blood Orange
- Blue Raspberry
- Blueberry
- Cantaloupe
- Cherry Lemonade
- Cherry Limeade
- Cherry
- Chocolate Cherry
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Chocolate
- Cotton Candy
- Dr Pepper
- Florida Orange
- Georgia Peach
- Green Apple
- Hawaiian Punch
- Island Fusion
- Italian Ice Unicorn
- Italian Ice Wild Black Cherry
- Juicy Pear
- Key Lime
- Kiwi Strawberry
- Lemon
- Mango Orange
- Mango Peach
- Mango Pineapple
- Mango Strawberry
- Mango
- Margarita
- Mojito
- Passion Fruit
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Pina Colada
- Pineapple
- Raspberry Lemonade
- Raspberry
- Root Beer
- Sour Patch Kids Red
- Strawberry Colada
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Strawberry Margarita
- Strawberry Watermelon
- Strawberry
- Swedish Fish
- Tropical Daiquiri
- Vanilla
- Watermelon
- Wild Berry
Cream Ice Flavors
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These flavors are mixed with cream, giving them a creamy texture almost like ice cream.
- Banana Split Cream
- Birthday Cake
- Black Cherry Cheesecake
- Brookie Dough
- Caramel
- Cheesecake
- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
- Chocolate Covered Banana
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry
- Coconut Cream
- Cookie Dough
- Cookies N Cream
- Fudge Brownie
- Horchata
- Iced Coffee
- Marshmallow Peanut Butter
- Mint Chocolate Chip
- Mint Oreo
- Mocha
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Root Beer Float
- Smores
- Strawberry Banana
- Strawberry Cheesecake
- Vanilla Cream
- Watermelon Chip
Sugar-Free Italian Ice
- Cherry
- Dragon Fruit
- Mango Peach
- Pineapple
- Root Beer
- Tangerine
All-Natural Italian Ice
- Banana
- Cherry
- Orange Pineapple
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Strawberry Banana
- Strawberry Pineapple
- Strawberry
Frozen Custard
- ?Banana
- Black Raspberry
- Cake Batter
- Caramel Macchiato
- Cheesecake
- Chocolate Salted Caramel
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Cotton Candy
- Mint
- Orange Cream
- Pumpkin
- Salted Caramel
- Strawberry Banana
- Strawberry
- Vanilla
Hand-Scooped Custard
- Banana Cream Pie
- Banana Split
- Banana
- Birthday Cake Batter
- Black Cherry Cheesecake
- Black Cherry White Chocolate Chunk
- Black Forest
- Black Raspberry
- Brookie Dough
- Cheesecake with Oreos
- Cheesecake
- Chocolate Caramel
- Chocolate Caramel Peanut
- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cookies N Cream
- Chocolate Covered Banana
- Chocolate Covered Cherry
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- Chocolate Hazelnut
- Chocolate Mint Chip
- Chocolate Mint with Oreo
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
- Chocolate
- Coffee Cookie Crunch with Oreo
- Coffee Toffee Crunch
- Coffee
- Cookie Dough
- Cookie Jar
- Cookies N Cream
- Cotton Candy Confetti
- Cotton Candy
- Mint Chocolate Chip
- Mint Oreo Cookie
- Mint
- Mocha Fudge Chip
- Orange
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Spice
- Reese's Peanut Butter Mudslide
- Salted Caramel Crunch
- Salted Caramel
- Strawberry Cheesecake
- Strawberry
- Vanilla with Heath Pieces
- Vanilla
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Editors Note: This article was originally published on March 10, 2021.
