# Iced Mermaid-Inspired Desserts Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Debuts Mermaid Italian Ice By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-06-15 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mermaid-italian-ice References: [nbcphiladelphia](https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/ritas-new-mermaid-italian-ice/4417535/)  [Rita’s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelati-sundae) Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has introduced a limited-time offering called Mermaid Italian Ice. This eye-catching, brightly pink frozen dessert combines berry and marshmallow flavors and is finished with a dusting of edible shimmer referred to as [Unicorn Glitter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unicorn-dreams-slush). Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard's Mermaid Italian Ice product range is available through mid-July 2026 and can be ordered either as a Gelati, which layers the flavored ice with the brand’s standard Vanilla Frozen Custard, or as a blended icy drink called the Mermaid Ice Blender. The visual presentation, with its vivid color and sparkling topping, creates a novel and photogenic experience that will certainly appeal to younger consumers. The dual flavor profile of sweet berry and marshmallow, on the other hand, offers a departure from the traditional fruit-only Italian ice options. Image Credit: Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 58% | Freshness: 80% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Fantasy-themed Desserts:** Mythical motifs and playful flavor cues are reshaping frozen treats into immersive products with strong appeal for younger consumers and social media audiences. - **Shimmer-enhanced Foods:** Edible glitter, vivid colors, and sparkling finishes create premium visual differentiation in everyday desserts while expanding demand for sensory-driven ingredient innovation. - **Limited-time Flavor Hybrids:** Seasonal mashups that combine Italian ice, custard, and blended drink formats provide brands with a low-risk path to test unconventional taste profiles and boost repeat visits. ### Who This Affects Most - **Frozen Dessert:** The category is evolving beyond classic fruit and cream profiles as brands use novelty textures, fantasy branding, and photogenic toppings to stand out in a crowded market. - **Quick-service Restaurants:** Menu innovation built around short-run, visually distinctive treats helps fast-service chains generate urgency, digital sharing, and family-focused traffic. - **Food Ingredients:** Flavor houses and specialty suppliers have growing room to develop colorful, edible, and texture-rich components that support highly shareable dessert launches. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Blended Icy Matcha Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frozen-matcha.md) - [Elevated Ice Cream-Inspired Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gelati-sundae.md) - [Iridescent Smoothie Toppings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tropical-smoothie-cafe-mermaid-style.md) - [Witchy Frozen Dessert Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brewberry-italian-ice.md) - [Holiday Season Milkshake Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ritas-milkshakes.md) - [Icy Valentine's-Ready Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolatecovered-strawberry-cream-ice.md) - [Spring Season Branding Activations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ritas-italian-ice-frozen-custard.md) - [Frozen Sour Candy Concoctions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ritas-sour-blue-pucker-italian-ice.md) - [Festive Frozen Margaritas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jingle-berry-rita.md)