Photo Credit: Drift Media House
Inspired by childhood memories of savoring ice cream along the boardwalk with an Atlantic coast summer breeze and baking with their Italian relatives, husband-wife team Ryan and Christina Edwards are churning up something very special in Sarasota, FL. But, this isn't your average ice cream joint with standard flavors like the ones situated along the Coney Island boardwalk.
What initially started as a hobby in their Brooklyn apartment blossomed into a full-time business when Ryan and Christina took the leap to become confectionary connoisseurs upon moving to Florida’s West Coast in 2020. They began experimenting with selling their craft ice cream flavors at local farmer's markets and events, quickly growing a strong cult following. Flavors such as Boozy Brunch (made with Maker's Mark bourbon, candied bacon, and maple-cinnamon ice cream) and Coconut Graham Crack (with handmade graham crack cookies mixed into toasted coconut ice cream) are anything but ordinary and sure to leave a lasting impression.
Ryan & Christina pictured on Instagram
In a world where ice cream can be found for sale at nearly every corner, Ryan and Christina decided to take a truly artisanal approach when opening their storefront in April 2024. "We did not want to be in another Publix shopping plaza; we always knew we wanted to be in the Rosemary District to be surrounded by other local businesses in a flourishing community," says Ryan. This commitment to craft and community fuels everything they do, especially in their choice of ingredients.
The ice cream base at Great Heights Creamery is simply made with three ingredients: local grass-fed dairy, sugar, and eggs. The components of each flavor (such as the honeycomb toffee, graham crack cookies, and cake donuts) are also crafted in-house by the couple. Great Heights partners with local farmers and artisans, such as Dakin Dairy, Sarasota Honey Company, Mōtōneko Café & Izakaya, and Mazzone Olive Oil.
The Edwards are also very thoughtful about when and how they flavor their ice cream. Brownie S'mores (made with toasted marshmallow ice cream, chunks of scratch-made brownies, and buttery graham cracker crumbles) is sweetened only with toasted marshmallows. "Since our ice cream base is made from scratch, we have full control to do that. For our Toasted Graham Crack ice cream, we steep the milk with coconut flakes to add an extra level of flavor,” says Ryan.
This meticulous approach explains why they offer very limited ice cream toppings at the shop. Sprinkles are available, primarily at the request of little ones, and a silky Italian meringue which is torched and toasted upon serving has become the signature topping at Great Heights.
Photo Credit: Drift Media House
Taking an unconventional approach to the traditional is what drives their flavor inspiration and creative process. When asked about how the community has reacted to the not-so-standard flavor selection, Christina remarks: "Maybe one day we will start making those more traditional flavors people sometimes ask for, but we will always put our own twist on them."
Ryan and Christina are consistently enlightened to find the best food and beverage experiences wherever they travel. A very special place to the couple is the Sorrento Coast in Italy, where they got married. It was there when they first tried a honey-flavored gelato. Ryan was instantly hooked and, upon returning to the States, they were eager to create their very own version of the flavor—now known as "Yes, Honey" (only sweetened with local honey and filled with crunchy, crystalized honeycomb toffee bits).
The flavors at the shop are seasonal and consistently rotating. This means that they don't make strawberry ice cream in July because they're making mango sorbet to prioritize the in-season produce available in Florida. Regulars who frequent the shop also know to ask for their 'secret flavors' which are softly announced on social media and in their community outreach.
With innovative flavor creations comes trial and error. An accidental creation was recently mulled wine ice cream—which did not turn out as they had hoped. But they're not giving up on it! The couple is already eagerly planning for fall and they hope to nail down the right seasonal flavors. Another one they've recently worked to perfect is Aperol Spritzicle, a combination of Aperol and Prosecco sorbet with New Fashioned Vanilla (their elevated version of vanilla bean ice cream). "It's like an Aperol creamsicle!" Christina says.
Aperol Spritzicle on Instagram
Though you won't find whipped cream and gummy worms at this creamery, they pride themselves in making a delectable silky smooth Italian meringue. This has become the signature ice cream topping at Great Heights, which is finished with a blowtorch before being handed over to the customer. This meringue topping was inspired by a birthday party the couple threw where they made a baked Alaska ice cream cake. The toasty smell instantly transports you to summer nights around a campfire, which is the goal.
Toasted Italian Meringue | Photo Credit: Drift Media House
Before entering the ice cream business, Christina worked as an interior designer. "Designing restaurants is very special [to me]. Similar to the food, the design should be just as much a part of the overall experience," says Christina as she glistens looking around the shop. The space really does tell a story. A large mural over the entire primary wall represents the couple's journey, just look closely enough.
The 'Inside Scoop' on the shop's interiors | Photo Credit: Drift Media House
From a depiction of the Coney Island Wonder Wheel, to the array of sprinkles and sunny palm trees, the mural commissioned by Liss Design shows their path to starting Great Heights. Beneath the mural sits a beautiful slatted wooden bench which is representative of a boardwalk, where they both spent many summers. Fun fact: Ryan and his dad actually built the bench!
Mural commissioned by Liss Design
As the sun sets on another day in Sarasota, the comforting aromas of freshly torched meringue and sweet cream waft through the air in the shop. Ryan and Christina Edwards continue to scoop up nostalgia, one thoughtful creation at a time. Proving that sometimes the greatest heights are reached by always remembering your roots.
Ryan and Christina’s SecondsPls Picks:
Blue Hill (Tarrytown, NY)
Battersby (Brooklyn, NY) - now closed
Canoe Hill (Millbrook, NY)
Visit Great Heights Creamery at 1371 Blvd. of the Arts Unit 3, Sarasota, FL 34236
Follow @GreatHeightsCreamery on Instagram for the inside scoop
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Check out the current flavor roster, here
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