As a popular ice cream chain with over 200 locations across the United States, Bruster’s offers a wide variety of frozen treats. With many customers inquiring about dairy free options, it’s important to examine what’s available for those with dietary restrictions.
Quick Overview
The quick answer is yes, Bruster’s does offer some dairy free options, but the choices are limited compared to regular ice cream flavors containing milk products. Customers looking for completely dairy free treats won’t find a huge selection, but there are a few sorbets and Italian ices available made without dairy.
Examining Bruster’s Menu
Taking a closer look at Bruster’s menu reveals a few key facts about their dairy free offerings:
- They offer tart and refreshing fruit sorbets in flavors like mango, raspberry, and lemon. These frozen treats are made without dairy ingredients.
- Italian ices are another dairy free choice, with flavors like cherry, blue raspberry, and lemon. These are made from fruit juice, water, and sugar.
- Frozen yogurts, custards, and all ice cream flavors contain dairy products like cream, milk, or egg yolks.
- There are no non-dairy “ice cream” options, like coconut milk or almond milk varieties.
- Those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies won’t find a huge selection of treats they can safely enjoy.
So in summary, the dairy free offerings at Bruster’s are limited primarily to fruit sorbets and Italian ices. Everything else contains milk, cream, eggs, or other dairy ingredients.
Ingredients Lists
Analyzing the ingredients lists for Bruster’s frozen treats provides more helpful details:
Sorbets
Fruit sorbets like mango are made from:
- Fruit purees
- Sugar
- Water
- Natural flavorings
- Citric acid
No milk, cream, whey, casein, or other dairy products are listed in the sorbet ingredients. They are labeled as “non-dairy” treats.
Italian Ices
Italian ice ingredients include:
- Fruit juice or fruit puree
- Water
- Sugar
- Natural flavors
- Food coloring in some flavors
Again, no dairy ingredients are used. Italian ices are also described as “non-dairy” on the Bruster’s website.
Ice Creams
In contrast, ice creams like vanilla contain:
- Milk and/or cream
- Sugar
- Egg yolks
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Stabilizers and emulsifiers
Clearly the traditional ice cream flavors are not dairy free. Those with milk allergies or lactose intolerance need to avoid these options.
Nutrition Information
Studying the nutrition facts panels also verifies which items contain milk products versus dairy free items:
Sorbets
Sorbets contain 0g fat, 0g protein, and around 20-30g carbs per serving. No vitamin D, calcium, or cholesterol are present.
Italian Ices
0g fat, 0g protein, 20-35g carbs. No vitamin D, calcium, or cholesterol.
Ice Creams
4-6g fat, 2-3g protein per serving. 10-15% calcium and vitamin D. Contains cholesterol.
This further confirms only the sorbets and Italian ices are dairy free at Bruster’s.
Vegan Options?
Those following a vegan diet also wonder if Bruster’s offers non-dairy options without eggs or other animal products. Unfortunately, the answer is no – there are currently no vegan ice cream flavors available.
Even though the sorbets and Italian ices contain no dairy, they are not considered vegan because white sugar is filtered through bone char during processing. This makes them unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Hopefully Bruster’s will expand their menu in the future to include coconut milk ice cream, sorbet with unrefined sugar, or other vegan-friendly options. But at this time, there are no desserts that fit a vegan diet.
Ordering Tips
For those who need to avoid dairy, here are some tips when ordering at Bruster’s:
- Stick to fruit sorbets like mango, raspberry, or lemon. Ask for fruit sorbets only.
- Italian ices are another good dairy free choice – order flavors like blue raspberry or cherry.
- Avoid all custards, yogurts, sherbets, and traditional ice cream flavors.
- Tell employees you have a dairy allergy so scoops and containers are not cross-contaminated.
- Look for signs the store has separate equipment for non-dairy treats.
With some precautions, you can enjoy a refreshing sorbet or Italian ice at Bruster’s dairy free!
Dairy Free Toppings
Bruster’s offers a variety of toppings to customize your treat. But which ones are dairy free?
Your best bet is sticking to fruit or candy toppings when you order sorbet or Italian ice. For example:
- Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
- Pineapple chunks or tidbits
- Sprinkles (check ingredients to confirm dairy free)
- Gummy bears or other gummy candies
Steer clear of these dairy-containing toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate syrup
- Caramel sauce
- Buttery toffee bits
- Cookie or brownie pieces
And if you opt for a waffle bowl or cone, ask for it plain without butter or milk-based dip coatings.
Non-Dairy Whip
You may notice Bruster’s offers non-dairy whip as a topping option. While this allows you to add “whipped cream” to your dairy free dessert, be aware it likely still contains caseinate.
Caseinate is a milk protein added to non-dairy whips to improve texture. Those with milk allergies need to avoid caseinate.
Your best bet is asking for fruit like strawberries as a topping instead of the non-dairy whip.
Cross-Contamination Risks
Even if you stick to sorbet at Bruster’s, there’s still a risk of cross-contamination with milk products if equipment isn’t properly cleaned.
Ice cream residues left on a scoop or container could expose you to trace amounts of dairy. Those with severe milk allergies may react.
To be safe, look for a Bruster’s location that has separate colored scoops, containers, and machines just for non-dairy options. Then the risk of cross-contact is lower.
You can also ask employees what precautions they take to avoid cross-contamination of dairy free items. Inquiring shows you have a serious dietary need.
Kids Menu Choices
If you’re looking for dairy free treats for kids, Bruster’s has you covered. The kids menu includes:
- Fruit sorbet in a kid-sized cup or cone
- Italian ice in fun flavors like blue raspberry
The site confirms sorbets and Italian ices on the kids menu are dairy free. Just avoid the ice cream options when ordering.
As always, tell staff it’s for a child with dairy allergies so they take precautions against cross-contact.
Home Delivery
Bruster’s offers delivery through third party apps and services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats.
You can get dairy free sorbets and Italian ices delivered to your home. Just double check your order in the app to make sure it’s correct.
The downside is you aren’t able to confirm in person they have taken steps to avoid cross-contamination. There’s a higher risk with delivery.
Allergen Info on Website
Bruster’s makes it easy to see which menu items are dairy free right on their website. You can filter the menu by common allergens.
When you select “Dairy Free” it shows sorbets and Italian ices as the only options. This confirms those are your only dairy free choices.
Their website nutrition info also clearly labels sorbets and Italian ices as “non-dairy” items.
Lactose Intolerance
Those with lactose intolerance can also eat Bruster’s dairy free sorbets and Italian ices symptom-free. Both are lactose-free foods, giving you a sweet way to satisfy an ice cream craving.
Of course, you’ll still need to avoid the regular ice cream flavors which are high in lactose from milk and cream. Stick with sorbets and Italian ices to prevent stomach issues.
Nut and Peanut Allergies
Along with being dairy-free, Bruster’s frozen treats are also free of peanuts and tree nuts. Their products are made in a facility free of these allergens.
So those with peanut and tree nut allergies can safely enjoy the sorbets, Italian ices, and ice creams. Just watch out for certain toppings, like cookies or candy with nuts.
Egg Allergies
Bruster’s dairy free sorbets also happen to be egg-free, making them safe for those with egg allergies. Double check labels, but fruit sorbets typically contain no eggs.
However, those with egg allergies will need to avoid the ice cream flavors since many contain egg yolks.
Wheat and Gluten
Bruster’s does not claim to be a gluten-free facility. While sorbets and Italian ices are naturally gluten-free, there is a risk of cross-contact.
Those with celiac disease or wheat allergy should use caution and ask about any gluten-free precautions in place.
And avoid waffle bowls and cones which contain wheat. Best to get sorbets and Italian ices in a cup instead.
Soy Allergies
Bruster’s frozen treats do not contain soy ingredients, so those with soy allergies can indulge worry-free.
Just avoid any soy-containing toppings, like soy nuts or candies with soybean oil.
Other Allergens
Outside of the major food allergens, Bruster’s products are free of:
- Fish and shellfish
- Sesame
- Mustard
So those with allergies to these items can safely enjoy Bruster’s frozen treats according to their dietary needs.
Low Fat and Lower Sugar
Along with being dairy free, Bruster’s fruit sorbets are lower in fat and calories than their premium ice creams. A half cup serving of sorbet is about 80 calories with 0g fat.
And while the sorbets do contain sugar, they have around half the sugar content of most ice creams. For example, a half cup of raspberry sorbet has 15g sugar compared to 24g in a rich ice cream.
So sorbets make a nice lighter, fruit-filled dessert. Italian ices are similarly lower calorie, lower sugar options at Bruster’s.
Nutrition Facts
Here is a sample nutrition facts comparison for Bruster’s frozen treats:
1/2 Cup Raspberry Sorbet
- 80 calories
- 0g fat
- 0g protein
- 22g carbs
- 15g sugar
1/2 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream
- 140 calories
- 7g fat
- 3g protein
- 17g carbs
- 24g sugar
As you can see, the sorbet is lower in calories, fat, and sugar compared to creamy ice cream. The carbs are similar due to naturally occurring sugars in the fruit.
Ingredient Sourcing
Bruster’s states they source high quality ingredients to craft their frozen treats. For example:
- Fruit purees for sorbets come straight from the fruit itself.
- Vanilla extract and cocoa are sourced from Rainforest Alliance certified farms.
- Dairy products like milk and cream are sourced from regional farmers.
Their commitments to responsible sourcing and quality ingredients result in better flavor and taste.
Are Sorbets Gluten Free?
Fruit sorbets are naturally gluten-free as they contain no wheat, barley, rye or oats. At Bruster’s, sorbets are labeled “gluten-free” right on menus boards in stores.
However, those with celiac disease should still exercise caution due to potential cross-contact with gluten ingredients in the facility.
Conclusion
In summary, those with dairy restrictions do have some limited options at Bruster’s. Their fruit sorbets and Italian ices provide refreshing, dairy-free choices – just don’t expect a huge variety.
Flavors rotate frequently, so check your local Bruster’s menu to see the current dairy free selections. And be very clear with staff about your dairy allergy needs to minimize cross-contact.
While not a destination for vegan or lactose-free ice cream, Bruster’s can still satisfy an occasional craving for a cold, sweet treat if you stick to sorbets and ices. Just bring your lactase pills as a backup!
