Culver's Fresh Frozen Custard: Flavors, Mixers & Prices
If ButterBurgers are the reason people walk in, Frozen Custard is the reason they keep coming back. Culver's churns it fresh in-house throughout the day in small batches, and the difference between this and regular soft serve is night and day — denser, creamier, richer. This guide covers every custard option, all the mix-ins, the Flavor of the Day system, and how to build the perfect Concrete Mixer.
Frozen Custard vs Ice Cream — What's the Difference?
Frozen Custard isn't just a fancy name for ice cream. There's an actual, legal difference. Custard must contain at least 1.4% egg yolk by weight (ice cream doesn't require any), which gives it a noticeably denser, smoother, more velvety texture. Culver's also churns their custard with less air than commercial ice cream (the technical term is "overrun"), which is why it feels heavier and more substantial on the spoon.
The other big difference: freshness. Most ice cream is manufactured, shipped, and sits in a freezer for weeks before you eat it. Culver's churns their custard right in the restaurant, multiple times throughout the day. When you get a dish or cone, the custard was made within the last couple of hours. You can taste the difference — it's smoother, less icy, and has a cleaner dairy flavor.
Concrete Mixers — The Signature Move
The Concrete Mixer is Culver's crown jewel. You pick a custard base (Vanilla, Chocolate, or the Flavor of the Day) and choose up to two mix-ins. The whole thing gets blended until it's thick enough that they literally flip the cup upside down before handing it to you. It's part dessert, part showmanship, and it works every time.
The standard price includes two mix-ins. You can add more for a small upcharge (~$0.50–$0.75 per extra). Pro tip: don't go overboard — two well-chosen mix-ins is the sweet spot. Three or more starts muddying the flavors, and you lose the distinct taste of each ingredient.
Complete Frozen Custard Price Table
| Custard Item | Small | Medium | Large | Cal (Med) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Mixer (2 mix-ins) | $4.29 | $4.99 | $5.79 | ~720 |
| Dish / Cone (Vanilla or Chocolate) | $2.79 | $3.49 | $4.19 | ~400 |
| Waffle Cone | $3.29 | $3.99 | $4.69 | ~440 |
| Shake (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry) | $3.99 | $4.69 | $5.39 | ~680 |
| Malt | $4.29 | $4.99 | $5.69 | ~730 |
| Turtle Sundae | $3.79 | $4.49 | — | ~640 |
| Caramel Cashew Sundae | $3.79 | $4.49 | — | ~610 |
| Crazy About Chocolate Sundae | $3.79 | $4.49 | — | ~670 |
| Flavor of the Day (Dish) | $2.79 | $3.49 | $4.19 | Varies |
| Root Beer Float | $4.29 | $4.99 | — | ~480 |
Prices are approximate. Calorie values vary by mix-in choice and custard base. Waffle cone adds ~40 calories vs regular cone.
Flavor of the Day — How It Works
This is Culver's most clever menu feature. Every location runs a different Flavor of the Day, rotating through a monthly calendar of specialty flavors. You get a premium, pre-designed flavor at the same price as a basic Vanilla or Chocolate dish — it's essentially a free upgrade.
Popular flavors that rotate through regularly include Turtle (caramel, hot fudge, pecans), Caramel Cashew, Mint Oreo, Chocolate Eclair, Andes Mint Avalanche, Salted Caramel Pecan Pie, Cookie Dough Craze, and Raspberry Cheesecake. Seasonal favorites like Pumpkin Spice appear in fall and Peppermint Bark around the holidays.
The best way to check your location's Flavor of the Day calendar is through the official Culver's website at culvers.com — you can search by location and see the full month ahead. Many regulars plan their visits around specific flavors.
Most Popular Flavors of the Day
| Flavor | What's In It | Availability | Fan Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle | Caramel, hot fudge, toasted pecans in vanilla | Year-round rotation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Caramel Cashew | Caramel ribbon, roasted cashews in vanilla | Year-round rotation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mint Oreo | Oreo pieces in mint custard | Year-round rotation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Chocolate Eclair | Eclair pieces, chocolate custard, whipped cream swirl | Year-round rotation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Andes Mint Avalanche | Andes mint pieces in mint-chocolate custard | Year-round rotation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cookie Dough Craze | Cookie dough chunks in vanilla | Year-round rotation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pumpkin Spice | Pumpkin spice flavored custard, caramel | Fall seasonal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Peppermint Bark | Peppermint pieces, chocolate drizzle | Holiday seasonal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
All Available Mix-Ins
When building a Concrete Mixer, these are your options. Gold-highlighted tags are the most popular picks:
Best Concrete Mixer Combos
If you're not sure what to build, these five combinations are crowd-tested and consistently great:
| Combo Name | Base | Mix-Ins | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Turtle | Vanilla | Caramel + Pecans | Sweet, crunchy, impossible to go wrong |
| Cookie Monster | Vanilla | Oreo + Cookie Dough | Double cookie crunch, crowd favorite |
| Peanut Butter Cup | Chocolate | Reese's + Peanut Butter | Rich chocolate + PB in every bite |
| Berry Cheesecake | Vanilla | Raspberries + Cheesecake Pieces | Fruity, tangy, lighter feel |
| Salted Caramel Crunch | Vanilla | Salted Caramel + Heath Bar | Sweet-salty balance with toffee crunch |
🍦 6 Frozen Custard Ordering Tips
- Check the Flavor of the Day first. Before you build a Concrete Mixer, see what today's special flavor is. If it's one you love, just get a dish or cone — same price as regular Vanilla, but a premium flavor.
- Stick to two mix-ins. Two is the perfect balance. Three or more turns it into a muddy, over-sweet mess where you can't taste anything distinctly.
- Small is bigger than you think. A small Concrete Mixer is plenty for one person. The medium is sharable. The large is a commitment.
- Ask for the upside-down flip. Not every location does this automatically anymore, but you can always ask. It's proof the custard is thick enough, and it's a fun tradition.
- Get a dish, not a cone, with the Flavor of the Day. Specialty flavors often have swirls and chunks that are hard to eat in a cone. A dish lets you enjoy every layer.
- Root Beer Float is the sleeper pick. Culver's makes their float with fresh custard, not ice cream. It's creamier and richer than any root beer float you've had at other restaurants.
Custard Calorie Guide
Custard is a treat, not a diet food — and that's fine. But if you want to enjoy it without going overboard, here's how the options stack up: