What do you think Brooklyn tastes like? What would it be like to lick Queens? Would you take two scoops of Staten Island?
Maybe don’t answer that.
For National Ice Cream Day, we paired up beloved local ice cream icon Mike “Mikey” Cole, founder of Mikey Likes It Ice Cream, and GenArt A.I. image generator to invent new, custom ice cream flavors representing each borough and bring them to life.
Remember, these flavors only exist in our imaginations (and a large machine learning network) for now, but even imaginary ice cream feels like a treat in the summer heat.
Check out the five flavors below and let us know what you would include in your borough’s signature ice cream flavor.
The Bronx:
Mikey says: Butter popcorn ice cream with a sea salt caramel swirl and honey roasted peanuts
Whether strolling through animal encounters at the zoo or root-root-rooting for the home team at Yankee Stadium, we’re positively crackerjacks over this sweet and salty concoction. It’s also one of the A.I. image generator’s more realistic images, and we appreciate how it represents the diverse borough, appealing to both cup and cone enthusiasts.
Manhattan:
Mikey says: Cheesecake ice cream with apple pie pieces and an apple caramel swirl
Mikey imagines taking a lick of the Big Apple while honoring the classic New York cheesecake in this custom creation. Smooth, cool and unapologetically tart, just like your average New Yorker. Although the A.I. nailed the realism of the cone here, the Times Square setting could use a few more rats, tourists and delivery drivers on e-bikes to really set the scene.
Brooklyn:
Mikey says: Yellow cake ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and funnel cake pieces strawberry swirl
Step right up, step right up, and grab a scoop of Coney Island boardwalk. It’s all the bright carnival colors and sweet flavors of childhood nostalgia, perfect for a reminder of days spent riding the Wonder Wheel. Somehow, A.I. made this look both the least realistic and most delicious ice cream product of the bunch.
Staten Island:
Mikey says: Butter pecan ice C.R.E.A.M. with chocolate swirl, chocolate brownie pieces and pecan pieces
Paying homage to the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, Mikey’s got a flavor that’s perfect for the ferry ride to Shaolin Land. It’s a production even RZA could appreciate, blending classic flavors, chopped pieces and a signature style all its own. One thing we can say about A.I.’s four-fingered friend holding the cone in the photo is that their least favorite Wu-Tang track is probably “Uzi (Pinky Ring).”
Queens:
Mikey says: Pistachio ice cream with baklava pieces and a rose water caramel swirl
International flavors permeate this concoction, reflecting Queens’ unparalleled diversity and rich cultural pride. Mikey’s suggestion of a baklava-studded ice cream sounds incredible, but it’s the A.I.’ creative interpretation of Queens’ signature Unisphere that lets us know there is plenty AI still can’t do.
Additional reporting by Faiz Nawab.
