FOOD: Keeping it Cool - NYC's Top 5 Summer Treats of 2013

The best thing about living in New York City is that the city never sleeps - and the eating doesn't either.  It's hard to not discover a new and delicious treat every so often - you could probably spend every day trying something new to eat in NYC every day and you might never taste them all!  Last summer, I narrowed down a list of my top five favorite cool treats in the city, and for 2013, I've done a bit more "research" and rounded up a few new frosty favorites to keep you cool this hot, sweltering season.

Salted Caramel Goat's Milk Soft Serve - Victory Garden

Salted caramel has always won me over, but goat's milk ice cream, that was a new one for me.  Intrigued, I visited the West Village shop - and kept going back for more.  Choose a topping (or two or three), my go-to is the strawberries and granola.  It's lactose-friendly for all you lactards out there, and all their ingredients are locally-sourced, so you can feel good about licking your cup of ice cream clean.  It's a little tangier, a little different, but it's definitely good.  I have literally had to restrain myself by only going there once a week - it's that addicting - although I did go there three times in the past two weeks, so I guess that's not working, and I'm okay with it.  Do yourself a favor and splurge on a large.

Visit Victory Garden at 31 Carmine Street and click here for their website.

Magic Wands - Alchemy Creamery

What could be better than a push-pop?  An ice cream and cake push-pop!  I first discovered the alchemists donned in capes and chanting spells on the first day of this year's Smorgasburg, and they enchanted me in a snap.  Flavors change constantly and include creations such as peanut Butter and strawberry with Pipsnacks' kettle corn fudge chunks.  The wands truly are magical - not only are they delicious, but they're also vegan and gluten-free, with their cake bases created by my new favorite bakery, Lael.  Check their regular ice creams - I mean, potions - too.

Alchemy Creamery is available at Smorgasburg Williamsburg all summer - head to their website to find out where else they'll be popping up.

Make Your Own Magnum - Magnum Ice Cream Stand in Bryant Park

This little pop-up shop in Bryant Park serves up a familiar product in an extra-special way.  You can spend $3 and choose a Magnum Gold, Double Caramel, Almond, or Classic bar, or you can make your own for $5.  I say, definitely make your own - you'll choose from milk or dark chocolate, as well as 9 different toppings.  The most decadent ice cream bar you'll ever have - I went with sea salt, crumbled caramel, and toasted coconut flakes with dark chocolate.  This is the kind of dessert that will have people checking you out...well, they'll be checking out your food, at least.  The Magnum stand is only here for the summer, so get over to Bryant Park ASAP (and then keep going until it's gone)!

 The Magnum Ice Cream stand is available in Bryant Park now until September 13 - visit the company website for more information.

Spiked Slush - Kelvin Natural Slush Co.

I know I said I wouldn't have repeats on favorite treats this summer, but if there's one thing better than a Kelvin slush… it's Kelvin with booze.  I'm partial to the Arnold Palmer, but the Strawberry Fields is pretty good, too.  Find them at locations all over the city this summer, but my favorite of the bunch has got to be at Berry Park, where you can get served on the rooftop.  If you can't get to one of the places the adult slushes are offered at, find the truck on Twitter, then bring along an airplane bottle and sneak some in to your virgin slush - we won't tell.

A list of Kelvin's spiked Slush locations can be found on their website.

Frozen Lemonade - Del's Truck

I couldn't believe it when I found out New England's favorite summer treat was making it down to the big city - the soft, perfectly slushy frozen lemonade is now on wheels and parking all over New York to provide delicious refreshment whenever you might need it.  For now, the flavors offered are lemon and watermelon - either serve as the ideal treat to eat while icy, and drink while melted.  I personally like mixing it with a little vodka (the way I first experienced Del's, actually, from a packet of Del's lemonade mix).  It's only $3.50 for a small and $5 for a large, so, get a large.

Locate the Del's truck this summer by following them on Twitter.

Got any favorites I need to know about that I didn't mention here?  Let me know in the comments!