If you took a peek at my summer entertaining Pinterest board, you’d find pages of peachy pastels, Aperol spritz inspo, and multiple gelato recipes. I’ve always had big dreams of serving homemade ice cream at garden parties – especially for my birthday in late August – but the idea of tempering eggs and endlessly stirring a crème anglaise has never quite fitted into my summer plans.
I was gifted the Ninja Creami (one of the best ice cream makers) last summer, and I’ll be honest – I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do. It's not instant, but it is easy. I can prep a base the night before – whether for ice cream, gelato, or sorbet – freeze it, then let the machine whizz it into a smooth, creamy treat the next day before my guests arrive.
I like being able to tweak the flavors to match my menu, toss in brownie chunks or cookie dough for texture, and even go dairy-free when I’m hosting vegan or kosher friends. The Ninja Creami makes summer hosting feel a little more fun (and a lot less stressful), and it is now subject to a sweet discount in the QVC Memorial Day sales.
If you have a real sweet tooth, you might want to consider the more expensive Ninja Creami Deluxe. Our expert tester and author of our guide to the best ice cream makers, Laura Honey, tested both models side-by-side and found that the Ninja Deluxe adds a couple more features: frozen yogurt, frappé-style drinks, slushies, and Italian ice – on top of everything the original does. It's also got a 24-oz container, which is 50% bigger than the standard model I own.
However, if you're all about the classics, the Ninja Creami original will suit you perfectly. If you want to see what the Creami can do, I recommend taking a look at the pictures in the customer reviews on QVC. There's some great inspiration in there.
My picks for a perfect ice cream summer
This Italian-chic rainbow of glass scoops makes eating your gelato a little more elevated – and reminiscent of a summer holiday. You can find this pack of six on Zara Home.
The Creami works by freezing a base first (milk, cream, sugar, even protein shakes, bananas, or yogurt), and then processing it into a creamy texture. When you’re done, the pint-sized pots can be packed into the dishwasher. It’s very easy.
This handblown dessert coupe is ideal for serving your frozen treats. You can also get some coordinating Champagne glasses and cordial glasses, available at CB2.
