By Hannah Ford

When Jeremiah Litwack first dreamed up the concept of Jeremiah's Italian Ice in 1988, he was a high school student hustling Italian ice in front of the Philadelphia Mint. By 1993, after honing his cool craft, he set out to create a market for Italian Ice in the Southeast. 

Over the following two decades, from 1997 to 2018, Jeremiah's grew a dedicated fan base and by 2019, the brand had expanded to 300 locations and earned many accolades. The Frog Squad, as Jeremiah's team calls themselves, continues its Southern expansion, staying true to their mantra: "Live Life to the Coolest."

This summer, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice made its debut in Fairhope, Alabama, on Wright Boulevard, near the new Publix on S Greeno Road. As the daughter of Fairhope locals, my family and I treasure our long summer visits. We live in the rainy, gray Pacific Northwest, so every year, we escape to Fairhope for three glorious weeks of swimming, playing, and indulging in sweets. This year, we heard about Jeremiah’s new location and couldn't resist the allure of trying something new. While we pride ourselves on being adventurous eaters, none of us had ever tried Italian ice before. We wondered if it might be similar to gelato or another rich ice cream treat.

Upon arrival, we received a warm and thorough education from the friendly staff about Italian ice. Intrigued, we were ready to dive in. Our first choice was a mango Italian ice layered with rich and creamy vanilla soft serve. We also sampled the salted caramel Italian ice, similarly layered with vanilla soft serve. As we grabbed our spoons and settled at a patio table in front of Jeremiah’s, we were blown away by the refreshing, flavorful Italian ice perfectly balanced with the creamy ice cream. It was the most delightful treat, and we were excited to have discovered a new favorite spot.

We immediately rushed home to share our find with the rest of the family, encouraging everyone to try it out. With our vacation clock ticking, we made frequent trips to Jeremiah’s, savoring our go-to dessert as much as possible before heading back to the Pacific Northwest. The staff’s dedication to educating customers and allowing ample taste tests ensured that everyone could find their perfect flavor combination. On one visit, we bumped into old friends, and our kids spread out on the sidewalk playing board games while we all enjoyed our cool Italian ice on a warm July night, catching up and relishing our desserts. The indoor seating and curbside patio, complete with board games, provide an easy spot to enjoy your treats and add to the welcoming atmosphere.

As the weeks passed, Jeremiah’s became increasingly popular, with more and more locals discovering this new gem. Many newcomers, unfamiliar with the concept, initially opt for just the soft serve. However, let me strongly encourage you to try the Italian ice layered with soft serve, where the true magic lies. The refreshing Italian ice combined with the creamy soft serve creates such a treat. Our personal favorites include the piña colada mixed with vanilla soft serve, mango mixed with vanilla soft serve, and salted caramel with vanilla soft serve. Extravagant menu options with cookie crumbles on top are also available, and the generous taste testing allows you to try them all. 

As our summer visit to Fairhope came to an end, we were already excitedly planning our next visit. One thing is certain: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will be a frequent stop for us whenever we return. For anyone in the area, we wholeheartedly encourage a visit to Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Embrace the refreshing flavors and creamy delight, and make it a delicious part of your Fairhope experience.