Featured image for Marco Sweets & Spices Is A Global Gastronomy-Inspired Ice Cream Brand

Marco Sweets & Spices Is A Global Gastronomy-Inspired Ice Cream Brand

by Rudy Sanchez on 07/13/2020 | 3 Minute Read

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the average American eats about 23 gallons of ice cream annually. In 2017, we produced 1.4 billion gallons in the United States alone, and grocery stores dedicate whole aisles to the dessert across the country.

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And yet, for all the frozen deliciousness we consume, most brands make the same flavors. Now and then, someone will come up with a wild novelty flavor, but when folks scream for ice cream, it’s usually for something with a base of vanilla, chocolate, or fruit with a few toppings swirled in at best.

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The lack of diverse, adventurous flavors in prepacked ice cream came as an epiphany to the co-founder of Marco Sweets & Spices Luke Christianson while on a shopping trip to his local grocery store. He decided to put his background in the food and beverage financial sector to work by creating new and challenging ice creams with flavors inspired by his world travels.

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Editorial photograph

Delectable treats like Aztec Chocolate, reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate, Thai Coco-Lime, which is inspired by creamy and bright curry, Vanilla Chai, a warm and complex blend of vanilla and other spices, Ginger Dreamsicle, a sophisticated take on a frozen classic featuring ginger and cardamon, and Spicy PB Caramel, which combines ice cream mainstays peanut butter and salted caramel with Chile de Árbol and Aleppo pepper for a mix of sweet, spicy, salty, and nutty.

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Editorial photograph

The branding for Marco Sweets & Spices features a fictional and eponymous well-traveled gentleman that seeks adventure and finds treasures in plain sight. Developed by the brand's co-founder Spencer Joynt, partner and creative director at Alright Studio in Brooklyn, Marco is a sort of Anthony-Bourdain-meets-the-Dos-Equis-Most-Interesting-Man-in-the-World mascot, with a mustache-projecting Burt Reynolds confidence, depicted with a cane, fancy hat, and confident gait.

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The wordmark is as equally flamboyant as Marco and features sloping curves that give off a substantial disco vibe. The only flourish of color on the pints find inspiration in the flavors, and a band depicting the ingredients within flows across the bottom of the pints. The packaging design gets surprisingly toned down for an ice cream range full of bold and international tastes, but still manages to feel both premium and chic.

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Marco Sweets & Spices ice cream pints are currently available directly via their website for folks in select Eastern USA zip codes.

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