Messina Is Serving Up Cheesecake- and Pretzel-Heavy Gelato Tubs for Valentine's Day 2024

It's that time again, gelato fiends: time to kick off 2024 with Messina's first decadent special for the year, and time to start thinking about Valentine's Day as well. The cult-favourite dessert brand is taking care of both will one brand-new OTT creation: a hot tub version of its Mr Messina flavour.

If you haven't tried this coveted scoop as a regular Messina gelato variety as yet, it features fior di latte gelato with baked cheesecake smashed in, as well as pretzel fudge and a pretzel crust. Now, think that but as one of Messina's hot tubs, aka the chain's extra-special, always limited-edition, online-order-only treats.

No, the word 'hot' doesn't reflect the required temperature. Indeed, in this case, the tub comes with layers of fior di latte gelato, pretzel fudge and pretzel clusters, plus baked cheesecake and cheesecake mousse, all to be eaten cold. On top: red chocolate crack and piped vanilla chantilly.

While the dessert is timed for the supposedly most romantic day of the year, who you share it and your Messina love with is up to you. Grab a spoon with your significant other, go all in for Galentine's Day instead, or treat yo'self to multiple days of red-topped gelato — the choice is obviously yours.

Tubs cost $45 each, and you'll need to place your order online on Wednesday, January 24. Because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand staggers its on-sale times.

So, folks in Queensland, the ACT and Western Australia are able to purchase at 12pm AEDT / 11am AEST / 9am AWST — and Victorians at 12.15pm AEDT. New South Wales customers are split across three times depending on the store (with tubs from Bondi, Circular Quay, Miranda, Randwick and Surry Hills on sale at 12.30pm AEDT; Darlinghurst, Brighton Le Sands, Manly, Parramatta, Tramsheds and Marrickville at 12.45pm AEDT; and Darling Square, Newtown, Norwest, Rosebery and Penrith at 1pm AEDT).

Wherever you live, you can then pick up the Mr Messina hot tubs between Monday, February 12–Wednesday, February 14.

Fans of Messina will know that the gelato brand is quite fond of making these kinds of indulgent — and supremely tasty — specials, after previously serving up everything from mango Iced Vovo tubs and the Neapolitan Messinetta (aka its take on the Viennetta) to a hazelnut-heavy tub topped with rocher crack and honey joy sticky scrolls.

Gelato Messina's Mr Messina hot tub will be available to order from on Wednesday, January 24 from 12pm AEDT, with times varying per state and store — head to the Messina website for more information.