Stephen Colbert’s Iconic Americone Dream Isn’t Disappearing but the Pint You Know Is Getting a Secret Makeover
‘The Americone Dream lives on.’
Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream isn’t going anywhere, but the pint you’ve been grabbing for years is getting a secret makeover this summer. Ben & Jerry’s just confirmed the flavor will stay in freezers, but with a fresh new look that’s rolling out soon. If you’ve been scooping this caramel-swirled classic since 2007, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the updated design.
The news comes right after Colbert wrapped up his final episode of The Late Show on May 21, 2026. According to PEOPLE, Ben & Jerry’s took to Instagram on May 20 to celebrate the 19-year partnership, sharing a heartfelt post that included a video montage. The caption read, “Thanks for all the sweet memories @colbertlateshow. We’ll think of you every time we follow a caramel swirl towards a chocolate-covered waffle cone piece.”
The brand also teased the upcoming redesign, promising fans that the flavor’s new look would hit freezers soon. Proceeds from every pint will continue supporting charitable causes through the Stephen Colbert Americone Dream Fund, just like they always have.
The flavor packs a patriotic punch
For those who haven’t tried it yet, Americone Dream is a patriotic punch of vanilla ice cream loaded with fudge-covered waffle cone pieces and a generous caramel swirl. The flavor isn’t just a crowd-pleaser; it’s a top 10 seller for Ben & Jerry’s, and the brand has no plans to mess with the recipe.
Colbert himself has always been proud of the flavor, not just for its taste but for the good it does. In one clip from the brand’s tribute video, he grinned and said, “I’m so proud of Americone Dream. Not only does it taste good, it does good.” Another clip from May 12 showed him joking, “My Ben & Jerry’s flavor, Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream, is not going anywhere – except your mouth.”
The flavor has been a force for charity since day one. As of its 18th anniversary in 2025, the Stephen Colbert Americone Dream Fund had raised $7.4 million for various causes. That’s a lot of scoops making a difference. Ben & Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield even stopped by The Late Show in December to reassure fans that the flavor’s future was secure.
Cohen declared, “The Americone Dream will go on!” while Greenfield chimed in, “The dream continues!” Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it’s clear the brand isn’t ready to let this partnership fade into the freezer aisle.
The timing of the redesign is interesting
This is especially since Colbert’s final episode aired just days before the announcement. The late-night host took over The Late Show from David Letterman in 2015 and became a staple of late-night TV for nearly a decade. His departure wasn’t exactly a surprise. He announced the show’s cancellation last July, calling it “purely a financial decision” by CBS.
At the time, the network was navigating a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump, who had accused 60 Minutes of deceptively editing an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The settlement came as Paramount, CBS’s parent company, was in the middle of a merger with Skydance, which required approval from the Trump administration. Colbert criticized the settlement and the broader implications for journalism.
But even with the show’s end, Colbert’s legacy, and his ice cream, will live on. He said, “I hope they laughed. I hope they felt better at the end of the day,” he said. “I mean, that’s it. We’re there. We’re the last thing you see. A lot of things happen in a day, but we bat last, and so we get the last take that people hear before they go to bed, and I hope it made their day better.” It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of Americone Dream, too.
What will the new packaging look like?
Ben & Jerry’s hasn’t spilled all the details yet, but the brand’s hinted that the redesign will be “exciting.” The original pint featured an American flag motif, which was a nod to Colbert’s over-the-top patriotism and the flavor’s playful, all-American vibe.
The brand’s website describes Americone Dream as a cup that contains “1776% of your recommended daily allowance of freedom,” adding, “It may be illegal to lick the Lincoln Memorial, but with this ice cream you can do the next best thing and lick liberty!” That kind of humor is pure Colbert, and it’s part of what made the flavor such a hit.
The flavor’s staying power is a testament to its popularity, and the upcoming redesign is just the next chapter in its story. If you’ve never tried it before, there’s no better time to grab a pint and see what all the fuss is about.
(Featured image: ToastyKen)
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