Every Day is “Sundae”
Is there anything more classically summer than a good old-fashioned ice cream sundae? Retreat from the heat and treat yourself at Urban Desserts in Gold River. Locals love this locale for its tailor-made Banana Split. Ready for your mouth to water? It comes with three heaping scoops of your favorite fro-yo flavors, one sauce or syrup, crunchy nuts, whip cream, a sliced banana, and (of course) cherries on top. Can’t do dairy or sugar? No worries. Urban Desserts also has a full list of non-dairy and no-sugar-added yogurt options, so everyone can get in on this decadent delight. 2095 Golden Centre Lane, Gold River, 916-619-2095, urbandesserts916.com

 

Fruity & Frozen
If you’re craving something colorfully different with a dash of savory, you might just be a lover of Flores Munchies. Flores is known for putting an innovative, Mexican-inspired twist on summer-approved snacks. A prime example is their Chamoy Lover drink. Get ready because this hot-day beverage has it all. First, you start with a 20-ounce cup rimmed and slathered in tamarindo chamoy dip; on the inside, you get your choice of fruit freezes, including must-try tropical flavors like guava and pineapple. And on top? Fruit bathed in zingy Tajín alongside your choice of gummy candy. It’s a feast for the eyes…and the palate. 6827 Lonetree Boulevard, Suite 106, Rocklin, 916-872-1286, floresmunchies.com

 

I Scream for Ice Cream Sandwiches
The only thing we like better than milk and cookies is ice cream with cookies. The team over at The Chocolate Architect in Folsom couldn’t agree more. Year-round, you can enjoy their Chocolate Silk Ice Cream Sandwich—an all-ages dessert featuring rich vanilla ice cream and mini chocolate chips pressed between two large chocolate chip cookies. But that’s not all. They then dip the sandwiches in extra-smooth "Chocolate Silk" (pick from milk, dark, glacier mint, or salted caramel) and roll them in toasted almonds, mint chocolate, caramel bits, or crushed Oreos. Grab a box for your next pool party, and thank us later. 250 Palladio Parkway, Suite 1335, Folsom, 916-966-9006, chocsilk.com

 

A Korean Cool-Down
If you’re unable to go abroad this summer, fret not. The folks at Junni K-Style Desserts will take your taste buds on an Asian adventure (passport not required) with their Korean dishes and frozen treats. We’re currently crushing on the Oreo Bingsoo, aka, Oreo snowball. Every bingsoo starts with creamy shaved ice, but this one gets the chocolate treatment with heaps of crumbled Oreo cookies, soft serve, and chocolate syrup. They also have red bean and fruit options if you’re looking for something lighter. Enjoy your snow bowl indoors while you listen to K-pop and watch the crew make fresh taiyaki (warm, fish-shaped cakes with sweet fillings) at the counter. 711 East Bidwell Street, Suite 10, Folsom, 916-693-6937, junnidesserts.com

 

“Shake” off the Summer
Fill your seasonal need for nostalgia with a trip to Taylors in Loomis. This old-school burger shack features finger-licking burgers and tasty fries, but what makes it the perfect spot to cool off are the milkshakes. And Taylors doesn’t mess around. They have over 350 flavors to choose from. Hankering for a tangerine dream? Try the Dory, a delicious swirl of vanilla ice cream, tangerine, passion fruit, and blue raspberry. Or perhaps you’re in a meaty mood. Order the Maple Bacon shake with vanilla ice cream, maple flavoring, and actual bacon crumbles. Whatever your craving, be it banana bread, apple cider, avocado, and almond butter, or watermelon and white mocha, they’ve thought of it—and put it into a handspun cup of goodness. 3636 Taylor Road, Loomis, 916-652-8255, taylorsloomis.com

 

Grab a Gold & Cold One
Do you prefer your desserts spiked? Run, don’t walk, to Poor Red’s Bar-B-Que and belly up to the bar for their trademark Gold Cadillac. Poor Red’s invented this classic cocktail back in 1952 for a newly engaged couple that stopped by the bar. The pair named the drink after their golden Cadillac parked outside, but the drink also has a yellowish hue, thanks to a healthy pour of Galliano liqueur. If you’ve never sipped on Galliano, it’s an herby, vanilla-flavored liqueur with a dash of anise and nutmeg. Blended up with crushed ice, cream, and luscious crème de cacao, it’s the perfect end-of-day (or anytime!) drink. 6221 Pleasant Valley Road, El Dorado, 530-622-2901, poorreds.com

 

You Had Me at Ube
What’s ube, you ask? Pronounced “ooo-bay,” it’s a nutrient-rich purple yam with a mild, sweet, coconutty flavor that’s often boiled, mashed, and incorporated into desserts. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s finally made its way stateside and is currently all the craze—like in the Purple Rain offering at Tokyo Cream—one of Roseville’s hippest dessert destinations. Vibrantly violet, it features ube-flavored soft serve (made using high-quality Hokkaido milk that results in a creamier, richer, and fluffier fro-yo), swirls of ube syrup, and melt-in-your-mouth milk cubes. Striking a perfect balance between sweet and nutty, it’s a textural delight worth indulging in. 1906 Taylor Road, Suite 10, Roseville, 916-918-1121, tokyocreamusa.com

 

Swimming in Sauvignon
It wouldn’t be a California summer without a thirst-quenching Wine Slushie. For this refreshing libation, head to Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery. This pioneer of foothills vineyards isn’t afraid to turn one of their award-winning wines into a season-winning blended cooler. So, what separates this wine slushie from the crowd? Sierra Vista’s sauvignon blanc. This white is the ultimate summertime wine, thanks to its crisp, light, and bright mouthfeel. With every sip of slushie, you’ll enjoy aromas of citrus, herbs, and even a hint of ocean breeze. Slushie in hand, sit back, relax, and soak in the hillside views. 4560 Cabernet Way, Placerville, 530-622-7221, sierravistawinery.com

 

Mango Margarita Madness
Wish you were on a white sand beach in Mexico? Feed your fantasy with a happy hour hangout at Lola’s Tequila Bar & Cocina. Lola’s is always a “yes” in our book, but especially when the temperatures are high, and all you want are good vibes and good drinks. Our recommendation? Order your group a round of their Mango y Chammizy—a margarita that’s all things beachy, tropical, and fun. Cool down with their ice-blended mango mix and Cazadores tequila reposado, all covered in a generous drizzle of chamoy and Tajín for a kick. Before you know it, you’ll feel like you’re south of the border on holiday. 1563 Eureka Road, Roseville, 916-474-4951, lolasteqbarcocina.com

 

Açaí Over A/C
Who said a chilly treat for summer can’t be healthy? Not the folks at The Healthy Habit. There, you can start your morning right with the yummy Dragon Fruit Bowl. This unique pick blends together ice-cold dragon fruit (aka, pitaya), pineapples, bananas, coconut oil, and coconut water. Of course, no açaí bowl is complete without the toppings. Load up on granola, pineapple chunks, coconut shreds, chia seeds, and honey. On top of making your belly happy, you’re also supporting local growers; The Healthy Habit uses only organic and locally sourced produce of the highest quality. 799 Lincoln Way, Auburn, 530-823-6422, thehealthyhabit.org