Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Iconic and a Florida favorite, the orange can be squeezed, juiced and eaten but what about turning it into ice cream? A charming and colorful Old Florida packinghouse and gift shop, Nokomis Groves, founded in 1948, brings a twist to eating oranges. When walking up to the patio in front, visitors make their first stop at the ice cream window. The orange and vanilla swirl, easily a favorite, marries the flavor of a creamsicle with the classic cake cone. Bright and citrus-scented, the orange and vanilla swirl builds up in the cone towering high and dripping quickly in the hot Florida sun. One can see that fresh orange juice from one of Nokomis’ three groves serves as an important ingredient in the ice cream, but made with a family secret recipe, the rest is left to the taste bud’s imagination. Other flavors offered include orange, lime and pineapple, and each can be swirled with chocolate or vanilla.

Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Nokomis Groves, 111 Albee Farm Rd. N, Nokomis, 941- 488- 5274.