The Unusual Ice Cream Flavor That Totally Polarized Publix Shoppers

It's true that some shoppers are avoiding Publix due to high prices, but many of the ones who stick around are drawn to the Southeastern supermarket giant's high-quality private label goods. Publix ice cream is one of those items with a cult following. The company releases new (and returning) seasonal flavors throughout the year, and social media denizens set the internet on fire comparing reviews. One flavor, rolled out for the 2025 holiday season, proved insanely divisive among the Publix community: hot honey mascarpone praline. This sweet, creamy mascarpone cheese base is scattered with pralines and adorned with a hot honey swirl. That last feature is the one that folks either loved or absolutely hated. It's an offbeat flavor, not unlike the Salt & Straw ice cream that turned comfort food into a snack, and the web had a lot to say about it.

"This was the worst ice cream flavor I've ever tried," one Redditor stated flatly, showing off a bevy of the pint cartons on clearance, and indicating that, perhaps, this meant many others felt the same way. "I don't think I'm gonna try this again," a Facebook reviewer declared, grimacing. He described the flavor as "a light butter pecan with a little bit of pepper to it." And, yet, the folks who liked this flavor raved about it. The Palm Beach Post declared this flavor tops of all the holiday varieties, stating that they enjoyed "[a] subtle hot honey finish that brought just enough sizzle to balance the sweetness and wake up the taste buds." And, on Threads: "Y'all anyone try this? Hot honey ice cream is surprisingly amazing!" An Instagram reel creatively dubbed it "dessert with a plot twist" and said that, surprisingly, the flavor notes were harmonious.

Those folks horrified by putting a peppery kick in a tub of ice cream may be reacting instinctively to what seems like a fundamental culinary oxymoron. Ice cream is sweet, dagnabbit. And while the sweet/spicy flavor duality is welcome in savory preparations, like Publix's own Sweet Peach Heat chicken wings, you seldom see piquant flavors making their way into the dessert course. 

And, yet, a quick Google search yields recipes for Frank's Red Hot ice cream, which is vanilla with a generous melange of cayenne pepper; a Scottish ice cream parlor serving "Respiro Del Diavolo" (breath of the devil) ice cream made with Carolina Reaper peppers so spicy that prospective nibblers must sign a waiver; and multiple preparations for chocolate chili ice cream that evoke the cachet of Mexican hot chocolate. Spicy ice cream is a bonafide trend right now, which makes it more understandable that Publix decided to jump on the train.

As of this writing, the controversial hot honey mascarpone praline ice cream seems to no longer be widely available. Instead, Publix has released a similar limited edition flavor: Bavarian crème hot honey praline ice cream. If you dare, pick up a pint next time you head to the place where shopping is a pleasure. We've previously discussed the best days to shop at Publix, hands down, due to sale rollovers and less foot traffic. If you fall in love with this polarizing ice cream, you may find yourself braving even the busiest days to stock your freezer before the seasonal flavor disappears completely!