Among store-brand ice creams, Publix sets the pace with an expansive and varied lineup of flavors. Each season unveils a quirky spectrum of tastes that you might not expect a grocery store to offer. To illustrate this point, the summertime lineup spotlights two noteworthy options: Guava & Cheese Pastry Frozen Yogurt and Sweet Tea & Lemonade Float Premium Ice Cream, both available in half-gallon tubs.
Now, I can almost hear your reaction… it would be genuinely impressive if a grocery-chain could nail such intricate flavors for the same price as a single pint from artisans like Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams or Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. And I would agree with that sentiment. They sound less like typical grocery-store treats and more like what you’d expect from your local craft ice-cream shop. So, naturally, we had to test whether they’re any good.
Here’s What We Think
Guava & Cheese Pastry Frozen Yogurt: This frozen yogurt was truly enjoyable. Its texture leans toward a soft, creamy feel typical of a yogurt-based base, while the guava note comes through in a natural, tasty way. It reads as if guava paste or jam had been blended into the mixture—more pastry-inspired than a direct taste of fresh guava fruit. The yogurt foundation harmonizes nicely with the guava-and-cheese pastry concept, and the cream cheese ribbon woven through the dessert adds another pleasant dimension.
Even better, the vanilla wafers mirror the pastry element in a charming fashion. Breaking them up and folding them into the ice cream yields a refreshing variation amid the velvety guava frozen yogurt. Delightfully, this frozen yogurt avoids the over-whipped pitfalls often associated with grocery-store ice creams.
Sweet Tea & Lemonade Float Premium Ice Cream: As someone from the South, I’m a big fan of sweet tea—ideally in the style of an Arnold Palmer. This flavor promised to deliver that vibe, so my anticipation was high. Sadly, it missed the mark in most of the important ways. The tea ice cream tasted artificial and saccharine, and the lemonade chips carried a harsh, artificial perfume-like note as well. The overall flavor was honestly hard to swallow.
One thing I will give it, though—the texture was luscious, creamy, and pairs nicely with the chip texture. But that’s a common trait among Publix’s ice creams, so it doesn’t redeem it enough to make me want to repurchase.
