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Although I always say I’m ready for fall by the end of summer — because I’m sick of mosquito bites and sweating through my clothes — it’s still a little sad when the last warm day of the year comes and goes.
In times like this, I look for comfort in a good book, an extra cozy blanket, and plenty of snacks. While summer has come and gone, I will never say no to an ice cream sandwich, which, coincidentally, is something new to look forward to on your next grocery visit. There’s also a chili crunch from beloved chili crisp brand Fly by Jing (if you’re feeling extra adventurous, maybe pair the two together?). If neither of those are of interest, maybe a holiday-themed vodka will lift your spirits.
Here are five new items hitting grocery shelves I’m excited about — with more to come throughout the month.
1. Jeni’s Frozen Dessert Sandwiches
For the first time ever, beloved craft ice cream purveyor Jeni’s is rolling out ice cream sandwiches. The new sandwiches come in three flavors: mint chocolate truffle, triple berry tart, and key lime pie. The two former arrive with chocolate cookies, while the latter has a buttery, graham cracker base. Of the three, the key lime pie is my favorite — the perfect balance of sweet and surprisingly tart. If you’re more interested in chocolate, though, the other two are satisfyingly chocolaty without being too rich, thanks to the refreshing mint or zippy berry ice creams.
2. Fly By Jing Chengdu Crunch
Fly By Jing, the popular chili crisp brand, is back again with a new, spicy iteration. Chengdu Crunch, which is named after founder Jing Gao’s hometown of Chengdu, contains a lot more texture than the original FBJ chili oil, thanks to the inclusion of pepitas, sunflower seeds, yellow split peas, and fava beans. Sichuan peppercorn still makes an appearance, ensuring the flavorful chili crisp has tongue-tingling heat amongst all the crunch.
3. Smirnoff Red, White, & Merry Vodka
Now that Halloween is over, it’s time to go full-on for the holidays. Such is the case for Smirnoff with its new limited-edition bottle of “Red, White, & Merry,” a vodka flavored with orange, cranberry, and ginger. It reminds me of panettone in the best way and would be the perfect base for a boozy holiday punch or ginger-kissed Cosmo.
4. Clevr Blends London Fog SuperLatte
I know people aren’t over pumpkin spice lattes yet and that’s perfectly fine. But because I’m more of a tea drinker, I like to opt for something cozy in the fall — like London fogs. This new London fog blend from Clevr is easy to prepare: Simply add hot water. Like a classic London fog, the flavor of bergamot and vanilla shines through the backdrop of black tea. This version is a little bit more complex, thanks to the coconut creamer, which gives it a unique nuttiness. There’s also reishi and ashwagandha, if you’re looking for an adaptogenic afternoon pick-me-up that can supposedly help with the stress of the holidays.
5. Siete Grain Free Mini Buñuelos
Cinnamon sugar tastes like the holidays, and these limited-time mini buñuelos pack that and more. The texture of these grain-free treats, made with cassava flour as opposed to a traditional wheat flour-based dough, are light and crispy, like a flattened churro. A touch of pumpkin powder adds a welcomed warmth, and coconut sugar provides a sweetness that isn’t cloying. They are perfectly delicious on their own, but also make a stellar pairing dunked into hot chocolate or crumbled over vanilla ice cream.
Buy: Siete Grain Free Mini Buñuelos, $5.29 for 5 ounces at Thrive Market
Spot any new groceries in stores this month? Tell us about it in the comments below.