Americone Dream: The Story of Stephen Colbert's Ben & Jerry's Flavor
When comedy meets confectionery, the result is often more than just a dessert—it becomes a cultural moment. Such is the case with Americone Dream, the signature Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor created in collaboration with comedian and political satirist Stephen Colbert. What began as a simple agent's call in 2006 evolved into a long-running promotional saga involving late-night rivals, political campaigns, and international "scandals."
The Creation of a Flavor
The journey of Americone Dream began in the fall of 2006. After being approached by his agent, Colbert was sent three unmarked pints of different flavors to sample. In a family affair, Colbert, his wife, and children tasted the options to select the final profile. While the family provided notes on the taste, the final flavor composition remained fixed and could not be modified.
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Promotions and Late-Night Rivalries
The flavor officially launched on March 5, 2007, during an episode of The Colbert Report. Because Colbert was observing Lent and abstaining from sweets, he recruited Daniel Boulud, Tim Robbins, and Anderson Cooper to taste the ice cream on his behalf. The appearance also served to promote TrueMajority, an advocacy group led by Ben Cohen.
The launch sparked a series of comedic conflicts. Shortly after the debut, Willie Nelson appeared on the show to settle a dispute regarding his own flavor, "Country Peach Cobbler." The promotional energy extended beyond the studio; that same year, Colbert participated in a live radio broadcast for the Charleston RiverDogs game, where he threw the ceremonial "first pint" to Jerry Greenfield.
The Battle of the Flavors
The rivalry intensified in 2011 when Jimmy Fallon appeared on The Colbert Report for a "duel" between their respective Ben & Jerry's flavors. This skit featured Jon Stewart and the company's founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, eventually ending in a peaceful duet between the two hosts. The competition continued in February 2012 with another skit on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to advertise both flavors.
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Political Ties and Evolution
True to Colbert's brand of political satire, the ice cream became a tool for activism. In September 2012, Ben & Jerry's redesigned the packaging to support the "Get The Dough out of Politics" campaign. The new lid featured the term "Superpack," a direct reference to the Colbert Super PAC (a Political Action Committee).
Even as Colbert transitioned from The Colbert Report to hosting The Late Show, the flavor remained in production. Ben & Jerry's spokesman Sean Greenwood confirmed the flavor's permanence, and Colbert later joined the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Truck to distribute free ice cream to New York City police and fire departments.
The Canadian "Scandal"
In 2022, Colbert addressed a perceived injustice regarding the Canadian market. He reported that a flavor with the same profile as Americone Dream was being sold in Canada under the name "Oh Cone-ada." Colbert noted the irony that Jimmy Fallon's flavor, "The Tonight Dough avec Jimmy Fallon," retained its name in Canada (with only a translation of "with" to "avec"). In response, Colbert jokingly challenged his fans to eat an entire pint of Americone Dream and mail the empty container to anyone in Canada.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: March 5, 2007.
- Selection Process: Chosen by Stephen Colbert and his family from three unmarked samples.
- Political Connection: Packaging was updated to reference the Colbert Super PAC and the "Get The Dough out of Politics" campaign.
- Notable Rivals: Featured in comedic "duels" with Jimmy Fallon and Willie Nelson.
- Canadian Variant: Sold as "Oh Cone-ada" in Canadian stores.
| Entity | Role/Connection |
|---|---|
| Stephen Colbert | Collaborator and Flavor Selector |
| Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield | Founders of Ben & Jerry's |
| Jimmy Fallon | Late-night rival with a competing flavor |
| Willie Nelson | Collaborator (Country Peach Cobbler flavor) |
| Sean Greenwood | Ben & Jerry's Spokesman |
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the Americone Dream flavor chosen?
Stephen Colbert was sent three unmarked pints of different flavors, which he and his family tasted to decide on the final selection.
Did the flavor change after Colbert's family gave feedback?
No. Although his family provided notes on the flavors, the final flavor profile could not be modified.
What is the "Superpack" mentioned on the packaging?
The "Superpack" lid was a redesign created to support the "Get The Dough out of Politics" campaign and was a play on the Colbert Super PAC.
What happened to the flavor when The Colbert Report ended?
The flavor remained in circulation, as confirmed by Ben & Jerry's spokesman Sean Greenwood.
Why did Colbert call out the Canadian version of the ice cream?
Colbert was amused that his flavor was renamed "Oh Cone-ada" in Canada, while Jimmy Fallon's flavor kept its original name (with a French translation of "with").