There’s a specific kind of summer night I’m always chasing. Backyard lights glowing, music buzzing, good food, and something cold and icy in your hand to cool you down. I’ve hosted a lot of backyard hangs over the years and can man a grill and play cornhole with the best, but this year, I had a new trick up my sleeve.

Last week, the GreenPan Frost landed on my doorstep. It’s a sleek, colorful frozen dessert machine by kitchenware wizards GreenPan that looks right at home in my kitchen. All you do is pour in whatever you want frozen (it makes soft serve, milkshakes, smoothies, sorbet, slushies, frozen cocktails and more), set it to churning, and in as little as 15-30 minutes, dessert is ready. 

I spent some time testing out its six modes and pull-down dispenser lever. I can barely even remember the names of six different ice cream flavors offhand, so the huge variety of options the Frost puts at your disposal is mindblowing to me. It took all of 30 seconds to get the hang of it, and I’ve been hooked since, so I was ready to let my friends in on the fun. I figured the best way to break it in was with a backyard get-together. Something casual, a little playful, with plenty of icy treats.

Here’s how I hosted what turned out to be the party of the summer, and it’s all thanks to the GreenPan Frost! 

Set The Vibe With A Welcome Treat

One summer backyard chill sesh, coming right up! I spent the morning of the party stocking up on hot dogs for the grill, making sure I had enough pool towels, and curating the perfect hot weather playlist. Then my friends started to arrive.

I like to have something special to sip on ready right when people walk in, and this time I went with little glasses of negroni slushies. Summery, bright, and perfectly smooth-textured, my friends were shocked when I said I’d made it myself. 

In fact, I had the Frost running when people started arriving. It slots neatly away on my counter, under the cupboards, and runs pretty quietly. I had it loaded and ready before anyone arrived. You can plug it in and go, no freezer bowl or overnight prep required. It ran for about 20 minutes before the negroni slushy was ready, giving me just enough time to light the grill. 

Dessert Is Now A Group Activity

Once the party was off to a swinging start, I quickly ran the Frost’s clean cycle. This gadget’s self-cleaning ability really helped sell it to me, as I’m not a fan of doing dishes. It’s also dishwasher safe which is good to know if things have got extra-sticky during your frozen dessert experimentation. 

I set up the Frost to churn some soft serve, placing it at the center of action alongside a DIY ice cream toppings bar: chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, chopped fruit, hot fudge sauce, cones, cups, and, of course, sprinkles. 

My friends had a blast serving themselves soft serve with the wonderfully nostalgic pull-down handle. The controls are super straightforward, so even my friend who can’t even be trusted to make toast had no problem getting a perfect swirl.

The Frost Accommodates Everyone

Every friend group has their mix of dietary requirements: vegan, gluten-free, no sugar, whole milk only. The Frost handled every base I tried with aplomb. 

I made a creamy chocolate custard soft serve for the purists, a coconut milk sorbet for my vegan sister, and an oat milk and almond butter protein smoothie for my friend training for a marathon. Each variety came out thick, smooth, and creamy.

You Don’t Need a Backup Plan

Any host knows the slight anxiety that comes with throwing a party. Will anybody show up? Did I get enough snacks? Is it all going to run smoothly?

The Frost really had my back here. It was the star of the party, with everybody coming up to check it out and admire how you can see what’s churning inside, and to find out what I’ve made with it so far. A few were even tempted to get their own! Order yours here to get in on the fun. 

My favorite feature, though? How reliable it is. I ran it almost continuously for a few hours and every batch of frozen treats came out perfect. No ice chunks, no weird textures. It’s a lifesaver not having to wait 24 hours for the mixture to freeze. The Frost is ready when you are. I wish everything at a party was that low-maintenance.

End On A High Note

The night started to wind down, but the Frost kept the energy up. A friend asked if we could try just one more flavor. How could I say no!?

I loaded up a cold brew-caramel milkshake base I’d been experimenting with earlier in the week, and the Frost had it churned and ready to slurp in 15 minutes. Topped with a dollop or two of whipped cream, it was sweet, a little bitter, and exactly the right kind of unexpected treat to close out the party.

The Frost goes beyond frozen desserts. It’s a conversation piece, a hands-on experience, and quite frankly, the star of the night.

This frozen dessert machine made my summer party an effortless hit. I already know I’ll still be using it long after summer’s over.

You can order your Frost now on GreenPan’s website (I went for the pistachio green color, and it’s also available in cream, berry, and licorice colors).