Whether you are celebrating a graduation, hosting a cookout or planning some other gathering, ice cream and other frozen treats are always the life of the party. Check out these fun – and tasty — ways to entertain your guests.

1) Raise the (sundae) bar.

For a sweet success of a party, assemble a make-your-own sundae bar. Pick out some of your favorite Pierre’s Premium Ice Cream flavors (French Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry are great sundae starters). Decorate a card table in your party’s theme or colors. Keep ice cream containers on ice, and place as many toppings as you can think of in small bowls around the ice cream. And let’s face it, anything can be a sundae topping: cookies, candies, fresh fruit, frozen fruit, syrups, leftover pies and cobblers, brownie bites, nuts – the possibilities are endless.

Find fun serving bowls and spoons at your local craft store, and watch your guests try to top each other’s original creations.

2) Keep things kid-friendly with ice cream novelties.

Remember being a kid and longing to hear the jingle of the ice cream truck coming through your neighborhood? Relive those memories and stock up on classic ice cream novelties – ice pops, fudge pops, ice cream sandwiches and sundae cones — perfect impromptu treats for the little ones. Single-serving novelties are portable, and there’s no bowl or spoon – only happy children – to clean up.

3) Leave the oven off and make an ice cream pie.

Who wants to bake when it’s hot out? Not us. Thankfully, there are plenty of no-bake recipes using ice cream. Our favorite is the classic ice cream pie. It’s easy! You simply fill a cookie-crumb or graham cracker pie crust with alternating layers of your favorite frozen treats, and top with whipped cream and sundae toppings. Try our All-American Ice Cream Pie for inspiration, or view more ice cream recipes.

4) Make your cocktails cooler.

Cool your guests down with a new spin on the summer cocktails they love. Your secret ingredient? Refreshing Pierre’s Sherbet and Pierre’s Sorbet. View our recipes for for these frosty drinks.

5) Ice cream for everybody: Try Lactose Free and gluten-free flavors

You never know which of your guests might have milk allergies or sensitivities to lactose. Keeping some Pierre’s Lactose Free Vanilla Ice Cream or Lactose Free Chocolate Ice Cream on hand will ensure that all of your guests can enjoy a sweet treat. And there’s no difference in flavor; everyone will love the rich creaminess of our Lactose Free varieties.

Going gluten-free? Then you’re in luck. Pierre’s offers a wide variety of gluten-free flavors. Explore our ice cream and other frozen treats, and see just how many fresh, fun flavors you can enjoy.

6) Throw an ice cream tasting party.

Invite each guest to bring his or her favorite ice cream. As the host, you supply small tasting cups, spoons and ice cream scoops. This is a fun way to try new flavors and socialize over sweets. Pierre’s unique, assortment of indulgent flavors, like Cupcake, Emerald Cookies and Fudge, and Everything but the Kitchen Sink® are perfect for this pot luck-style party.

7) Help out your health-conscious party-goers.

Your guests who are counting carbs and calories can still enjoy ice cream and other treats this summer. Serve them these better-for-you options:

• Watching your sugar intake? Try Pierre’s^® Slender^® No Sugar Added Reduced Fat Ice Cream.
• Pierre’s Smooth Churched Light Ice Cream varieties offer big fun, big flavor and only half the fat of regular ice cream.
• Get the ice cream flavors you love with less fat, fewer calories with Pierre’s Frozen Yogurt.
• Pierre’s Sherbet is naturally low in fat and cholesterol.

Share your ideas!

Send us pictures of your summer party ideas to icecream@pierres.com, post them to our Facebook page, or mention @PierresTweets.