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Americans’ Ice Cream Showdown: Cone, Cup, or Milkshake?

by | Jul 9, 2025 | Human Interest, Food & Beverage

Image credit: Shamblen Studios via Unsplash+

July marks National Ice Cream Month, a time to spotlight one of summer’s most beloved indulgences. Whether served in a cone, scooped into a cup, or blended into a milkshake, ice cream is a summer staple.  But when it comes to the Americans’ preferred way to eat it, one option has a slight lead.

In a survey of more than 23,000 U.S. adults, cones came out just ahead as the top pick, favored by 40% of respondents (excluding ‘other’ and ‘does not apply’). That said, cups aren’t far behind at 37%, while 23% said they prefer milkshakes. But the story doesn’t end there; more profound differences emerge across a variety of demographics.

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Generational shifts are especially noticeable. Among adults aged 18 to 29, milkshakes claim the top spot at 42%, far surpassing cones (30%) and cups (28%). However, that enthusiasm cools significantly with age. Just 16% of those 55 and older prefer milkshakes, while cups take over as the dominant choice at 45%. The appeal of cones holds steady across middle age groups, peaking among 30- to 44-year-olds.

A different kind of divide shows up between men and women. Men are more likely to lean toward milkshakes (28% vs. 23%), while women tilt more toward cones (39% vs. 33%). Cup preference is the great equalizer here, with near-identical support from both groups, hinting at its broad, cross-demographic appeal.

Some of the clearest regional contrasts come from the West, where 46% of adults say they prefer their ice cream in a cup—the highest share any region in the country. The Northeast leans more toward cones, but also gives milkshakes their strongest regional showing (30%). The Midwest and South show fewer extremes, with both regions fairly evenly divided between cups and cones.

Economic factors add a subtler dimension to the picture. Cones are the top pick among adults earning under $50K, while preference for cups climbs as income rises. Among those earning $100K or more, cups lead at 43%, suggesting a possible link to lifestyle factors like portability, convenience, or simply presentation.

The data on ice cream consumption makes one thing clear: the experience is far from one-size-fits-all, revealing notable differences in how people across the country enjoy this classic indulgence during the heat of the summer months.

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.

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