Easy Entertaining: Italian Soda and Ice Cream Sundae Bar

A couple of weeks ago, after our daughter’s dance performance, we invited a few of her dance friends and their families over to celebrate a successful show.

I designed it to be a quick get-together, since the performance finished late and the girls had an early call for their matinee the next day, and also something I could set up ahead of time so we could all just pop into the house and start partying.

I find entertaining is easiest when my guests can serve themselves as much as possible (plus the kids always think that’s fun), so I set up an ice cream sundae bar and an Italian soda bar in two separate locations in the kitchen.

By the way, I’ll list my sources at the end of the post.

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My daughter had fun coming up with all the different topping ideas.  We used mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, gummy bears, sprinkles, chopped Snickers bars, M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, mini Oreos, peanuts, and Pirouettes, along with three kinds of syrups and, of course, whipped cream and cherries.

When it was time to serve, we just pulled out the ice cream (we had vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream) and scooped it out for the guests, then they topped their desserts exactly the way they wanted.

If you’ve never had Italian sodas, they’re so refreshing!  You simply add a few pumps of flavored syrup, ice, and seltzer water, then put in a shot of whipping cream (optional) and stir.

My kids’ favorite flavors are peach and lemon; we’ve just ordered vanilla because I think that would be yummy in Coke, too.

You can use any flavored syrup brand, but I like Amoretti because it’s GMO-free and the bottles come with the pumps included.

Since the party, we’ve left the syrups out and the kids have really enjoyed making Italian sodas (and their friends have thought it’s fun, too).

Clean up was a snap, and it was a great way to celebrate a successful performance and the beginning of summer!

Sources:

Amoretti flavored syrups (they come with a pump so you don’t have to order them separately):  we used pomegranate, coconut cream, lemon, blackberry, and peach.

“What happens on the porch, stays on the porch” napkins

Green trellis napkins

Gumballs

Ice cream bowls and paper straws

Lilly Pulitzer tray, apothecary jars, white bowls for sundae toppings, white serving platters:  HomeGoods

Lilly Pulitzer banner/bunting (I made them using my laminator and this post)

Mad Hatter “Eat Me” & “Drink Me” printable tags

Ice cream printable

“Italian Soda Bar” printable (similar)

Soda crate: vintage

Mini boxwood wreath

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