while an ice cream cone is delicious any time of year, it’s especially tasty on a hot summer day. so i thought we’d get social today with ice cream. fridays with oscar is all about an old-fashioned summer ice cream social. do you remember having those as a child? school-related ice cream socials at the end of summer to welcome new students were quite popular back in the day. since our towns and cities are opening up, i thought an old-fashioned social is a perfect way to get social in our homes with family and friends. all the fixings for ice cream sundaes, floats, and even a boozy milkshake for the adults are on deck today! so join us as we host a summer ice cream social.
how to host an ice cream social
setting up the sundae bar is made easy with a muffin tin to hold toppings. pre-scooping ice cream onto a serving plate is another way to make it easy for your guests to self-serve. we have waffle cones and waffle bowls, fudge and caramel syrups, and whipped cream.
get creative with your toppings. cereal or even potato chips make great ice cream sundae toppers. i have Cheerios, Heath Toffee crumbles, mini M&Ms, chocolate-covered pretzels, chopped walnuts, mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and fresh blackberries.
homemade vanilla ice cream was one of mr. style’s favorite desserts, so i am making vanilla ice cream, and i have two store-bought flavors: mint chocolate chip (my favorite!) and salted caramel. if you don’t already have an electric ice cream maker, i definitely recommend you get one! homemade ice cream is so easy, and such a wonderful summertime treat.
today’s ootd is easy peasy. what is easier to throw together than a skirt, tee, and espadrilles? if you don’t have a white denim skirt in your closet you are missing out. a denim skirt is a versatile wardrobe staple that’s perfect to wear all summer long. make that all year long. but i especially love them during the summer months. the white denim skirt (old, similar here,here, and here) is from J.Crew the tee (old, similar here and here) is from Marc Jacobs. the ric rac espadrilles are from Ann Taylor. add accessories of your choice and you are ready in just a few minutes.
In a small pot, simmer heavy cream, milk, sugar and salt until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk yolks. Whisking constantly, slowly whisk about a third of the hot cream into the yolks, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the pot with the cream. Return pot to medium-low heat and gently cook until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer).
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Cool mixture to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or stir mixture in an ice bath until completely cool. Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturers’ instructions. Serve directly from the machine for soft serve, or store in freezer until needed.
don’t forget the root beer floats! scoop ice cream into mason jars and place in the freezer until your guests arrive. they can pour over the root beer and top with whipped cream. i have fun, fluted sundae cups with sundae spoons, special for this occasion.
Guinness milkshake
This is a fun boozy milkshake for the adults at your social; you can adjust the amount of Baileys to make the shake more or less alcoholic. i used a blender to mix, but if your ice cream is soft enough, you can use a hand mixer or whisk to mix. i am serving these in Irish coffee mugs.
is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.
Hi Beth
Ice cream cones remind me of our sailing vacations on Lake Huron. We couldn’t keep ice cream on board because our sailboat didn’t have refrigeration. Whenever we would dock at a town, the boys would scout out the Ice cream places. Towns were rated by the size of their ice cream cones. Miss those days but now we can have ice cream any time we want on the RV The black tee is a good choice because it won’t show ice cream drips
You always look so put together Beth! Although the fashions you present don’t, many times, fit my lifestyle, I have bought several pieces from your suggestion.
I saw Reddiwhip as your whipped cream of choice. You are so health conscious. Have you ever whipped your own? So easy and so much better for you. Add some vanilla and it’s even more delicious. Just a thought.
thanks so much for sharing! i definitely whip my own whipped cream. but honestly, i don’t use whipped cream all that often so when i splurge even Reddiwhip with all that extra sugar won’t make that big of a difference.
When we traveled we stayed at campgrounds and one of the hi lites was the ice cream social. I loved it.
Cute outfit and perfect for a backyard social. We all love Oscar ❤️
Hi Beth, gosh the ice cream looks delicious and there is nothing like old fashioned ice cream is there, I’m quite partial to a coffee one. Wishing you a lovely weekend xx
When I was growing up my parents would make homemade ice cream in the winter time using the snow. Vanilla was our favorite, but sometime we would have chocolate. Love your blog.
What a “sweet” idea! Our quadrant of our neighborhood had an ice cream social last month. We all had such a great time, but no one made ice cream. I have your ice cream maker and it is soooo easy to whip up your own ice cream. Try vanilla bean paste in place of vanilla extract – so much easier than vanilla beans and give super flavor.
Delicious ice cream!!
Thanks
nothing better than ice cream on a hot summer day! enjoy.
Dear Beth
Can you please share the beautiful shade of deep red nail polish you are wearing in your 7.9.21 post?
Loved all and plan to do an ice cream social or two yet this summer!
Thank you,
Susan
O.P.I. Lincoln Park after Dark
Great Idea!!!! You look fantastic too pats to Oscar and Ollie.
oscar and ollie always love extra love!
Hi Beth
Ice cream cones remind me of our sailing vacations on Lake Huron. We couldn’t keep ice cream on board because our sailboat didn’t have refrigeration. Whenever we would dock at a town, the boys would scout out the Ice cream places. Towns were rated by the size of their ice cream cones. Miss those days but now we can have ice cream any time we want on the RV The black tee is a good choice because it won’t show ice cream drips
what a fun memory! thanks for sharing.
You always look so put together Beth! Although the fashions you present don’t, many times, fit my lifestyle, I have bought several pieces from your suggestion.
I saw Reddiwhip as your whipped cream of choice. You are so health conscious. Have you ever whipped your own? So easy and so much better for you. Add some vanilla and it’s even more delicious. Just a thought.
thanks so much for sharing! i definitely whip my own whipped cream. but honestly, i don’t use whipped cream all that often so when i splurge even Reddiwhip with all that extra sugar won’t make that big of a difference.
When we traveled we stayed at campgrounds and one of the hi lites was the ice cream social. I loved it.
Cute outfit and perfect for a backyard social. We all love Oscar ❤️
there’s just something special about an old fashioned ice cream social! enjoy your weekend!
How fun I almost forgot about ice cream socials. I grew up in a small town in Nebraska and these were a staple.
ice cream socials bring back fond memories! enjoy your weekend.
Hi Beth, gosh the ice cream looks delicious and there is nothing like old fashioned ice cream is there, I’m quite partial to a coffee one. Wishing you a lovely weekend xx
always love to hear from you, julie! enjoy your ice cream.
When I was growing up my parents would make homemade ice cream in the winter time using the snow. Vanilla was our favorite, but sometime we would have chocolate. Love your blog.
thanks for sharing, vicki!
What a “sweet” idea! Our quadrant of our neighborhood had an ice cream social last month. We all had such a great time, but no one made ice cream. I have your ice cream maker and it is soooo easy to whip up your own ice cream. Try vanilla bean paste in place of vanilla extract – so much easier than vanilla beans and give super flavor.