The Eccentric Baskin-Robbins Flavors That Never Got To Stores

Ice cream shops have become commonplace, but that wasn't always the case. Sure, there were plenty of spots to get some ice cream. But, there weren't shops devoted to that singular treat until the mid-20th century. Baskin-Robbins was one of the first to concentrate all of its efforts on ice cream, and it's been innovating ever since. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, Irvine Robbins opened his first ice cream shop shortly after returning from service in World War II. Soon, he and his brother-in-law, Burton Baskin, joined forces and were innovating ice cream into trail-blazing new flavor territory. By 1948, Chocolate Mint became the 31st variety, and they decided to focus their marketing on a flavor for every day of the month. But they didn't stop there. Baskin-Robbins honored the British rock invasion all the way back in 1964 with Beatle Nut. That predates Ben & Jerry's homage to The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia, which debuted in 1987.

According to Baskin-Robbins, their creativity has spurred more than a few cream-based crazes. From Dear Abby petitioning them to up the production of Pralines n' Cream to the comedian and talk show host Steve Allen's Steverino, they know how to create a buzz. Their specialty flavors honoring the Dodgers' arrival in LA and celebrating the 1960s space race spurred Baskin-Robbins' growth into a nationwide business.

But, of the more than 1,000 flavors Baskin-Robbins has produced, they haven't all caught on. Their innovations have certainly led to some duds. The Baskin-Robbins factory churned out all those new flavors, but fewer than ten would make it to stores each year, per the Los Angeles Times. Those failed flavors could have been due to an eye-roll-inducing pun like Grape Britain or just plain bad ideas, such as Ketchup or Lox and Bagels. Yikes.

All of those misguided flavors had a silver lining. After Baskin-Robbins was accused of being "plumb nuts" for attempting strange ideas, their response was an ice cream featuring plums, vanilla, and walnuts called Plum Nuts.

USA Today identified some gone but not forgotten offerings from Baskin-Robbins. Apple Pie A la Mode seems like a great idea. But this apple, pie crust, and cinnamon caramel option hasn't been available since 2006. Campfire S'mores sure sounds better than ketchup ice cream, but this chocolate ice cream with toasted marshmallows, chocolate flakes, and graham crackers disappeared in 2002.

For those of you who remember the iconic '80s speed boating and drug-busting duo of Crockett and Tubbs, you might also have had a scoop of Miami Ice Sorbet. This was a short-lived Miami Vice promo from 1986. But this sorbet featuring pureed limes, lime juice, and pink grapefruit sounds good.

If retired ice cream flavors are something you enjoy, you can swing into Ben & Jerry's Flavor Graveyard outside of their facility in Waterbury, Vermont. Can't make the trip? There's a virtual option where you can even sign a petition to resurrect your favorite retired pint (via Ben & Jerry's).