Gourmet

.I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream on a sunny day, and, luckily, there's no shortage of sunshine or places to find tasty ice-cold treats and drinks on the islands.

You'll find homemade Italian ice cream, known as gelato, at Pinocchio's, near Sanibel's lighthouse. Owner Alan Duenas' uncle started the business almost 18 years ago, and the family takes pride in its ice cream's freshness and quality. "We get a large international clientele," Duenas adds. No matter where you are from, you'll love the Sanibel Krunch, with mixed nuts, toasted coconut, and melted chocolate stracciatella. In addition to frozen yogurt, the shop offers milkshakes, frozen lemonade, and several flavors of iced coffee. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-6566. Nearby Rosie's Deli has a large selection of flavored water, juice, tea, and Kahlua drinks. HŠagen Dazs aficionados will be pleased with the choices, or try a Snickers or Baby Ruth ice cream bar. Fill up with your favorite soda from the self-serve fountain. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-6656.

Across the way, John and Laurie Castaldo keep their East End Deli's freezer case stocked with an assortment of ice cream cones, bars or sandwiches, and frozen yogurt. Their drink cases feature Starbucks' Frappuccino iced coffee and juice that comes from one island to another-Nantucket Nectars. They are also offering a new product from Miami's South Beach, called SoBe, which is "trying to compete with Arizona teas and power drinks," John says. 359 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-9622.

Of course, tourists from far and near, and residents, often head for good ole' Dairy Queen, which stays busy selling its famous soft-serve ice cream, Blizzards (ice cream blended with candy and fruit), fudge bars on a stick, a frozen treat called DQ Freez'r, and Mr. Misty drinks. 1048 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1170.

Alternative refreshments can be found at Island Health Foods Inc. The shop carries Rice Dream, a non-dairy dessert made with rice milk that comes in vanilla or cocoa marble fudge flavors. The Rice Dream Bar is dipped in carob. Cascadian Farm offers organic sorbets made "just with fruit juice." Thirsty patrons can try Jamaican-style ginger beer or electrolyte-balanced Sports Water. 1640 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-3666.

If you're in the mood for indulging, pop into Periwinkle Place and experience Chocolate Expressions. International visitors love the shop's gelato, which owner Steve Young explains has "less than 10 percent air content and is all natural." Gourmet ice cream, Columbo frozen yogurt, and Gerardo's Italian Ices are also available. Thirst quenchers include Island Oasis' Fruit Smoothees, lemonade, and sun tea. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-3837.

Also at Periwinkle Place is the Sanibel Island Chowder Company, which, general manager Kathleen Campbell notes, a lot of people don't realize has a full soda fountain. She says the restaurant prides itself on "making any flavor" shake, soda, sundae, or other ice cream creations. Try the Sanibanana Split or Turtle Sundae and follow that with an iced mocha or Italian soda. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-2525.

The Bean is busier than ever since it moved farther down Periwinkle Way last fall, according to Dave Kaufman, assistant manager. "Sanibel's Coffee Café" sells ice cream "made by hand on Captiva" in such flavors as peppermint chip, fresh strawberry, and key lime coconut. New for many people is spiced chai, a frozen non-fat, non-dairy tea drink made with nutmeg and allspice, which is catching on fast. Or order one of the many iced coffee drinks and stir it with a straw or spoon that doubles as a cookie. 2240 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/395-1919.

In Bailey's shopping center, step up to the window of Nick's Place for Columbo frozen yogurt, frozen custard, a NaturIce granita, cold cappuccino or espresso, lemonade, or iced tea. Owner Nick Mallou also sells the Collider, which he says is like Dairy Queen's Blizzard. 2441 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-0770.

Stop at the Daily Grind's pink kiosk as soon as you enter Bailey's grocery store and sample the "famous homemade secret recipe" cappuccino granita that is "guaranteed to give you a kick." Or decide which fruit granita to order while looking at cute photos of owner Bruce Trahant's children. For a change, try an Italian soda, which can be concocted from a wide choice of flavors. 2477 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/395-0554.

At Barney's Incredible Edibles, owner John Armiger serves up such temptations as double fudge brownie or espresso chip ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, and floats. The carry-out shop also has a large selection of iced novelty coffees. 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel, 941/472-2555.

For J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge explorers who work up a big thirst, check out the Mangrove Café at Tarpon Bay Recreation Inc. Try a key lime or banana berry granita or an ice-cold macchiato, Cubano, or caramel coffee. The café has Italian sodas and nonalcoholic Italian brown beer. 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 941/472-8900.

You'll find a bit of merry olde England at Royal Windsor Restaurant in the Village of Captiva's Paradise Shops. Patrons can enjoy gourmet ice cream in the new Tudor-style room or sit outside at picnic tables with huge umbrellas. Manager Bobby Doherty says popular ice cream flavors are French vanilla, praline butter pecan, and cappuccino. English beverages include Idris' Ginger Beer and microbrewed Virgil's Rootbeer. 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-2988.

Also on Captiva, Dyan Stuglin's Island Style Gallery and Café is a favorite place to try iced cappuccino and fresh-squeezed lemonade or limeade. The café features gelato, imported Italian sodas, and vanilla or spiced chai. Chadwick's Square, Captiva, 941/472-4343.

Boca Grande's Loose Caboose, a full-service restaurant, has a big take-out counter. Employees keep busy scooping up such homemade ice creams as Oreo, coffee, maple walnut, and Butterfinger. Park Avenue and Fourth Street, Boca Grande, 941/964-0440.

Around the corner, the Pink Pony always offers 4 flavors of frozen yogurt and 12 kinds of ice cream. Kahlua almond fudge or Heath Bar frozen yogurts are big hits. 421 Park Avenue, Boca Grande, 941/964-0109. -LG