Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with Graeter's!

Hey y’all! Look for me today on WAVE3, where I’ll be sharing the latest seasonal flavors from Graeter’s Ice Cream, as well as some fun facts about National Ice Cream Month!

Did you know?

Graeter’s has been using quality ingredients to produce authentic, hand-crafted French Pot ice cream for 152 years, making it the perfectly decadent sweet treat for summer. Graeter’s is the only ice cream company to use 2 ½ - gallon French Pots, a small batch, true craft, artisanal method of production dating back over a century. This is the same process Louis Graeter used when he first started selling ice cream in the streets of Cincinnati. By adhering to the French Pot Process, Graeter’s continues to have the smallest batch size in the industry. In fact, Graeter’s Ice Cream is too thick to pump into pint containers like most ice cream makers, so they hand pack it the old-fashioned way! On a typical day, Graeter’s packs nearly 20,000 pints!

National Ice Cream Day and Month Trivia

• National Ice Cream Month is celebrated every July, and National Ice Cream Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of July. This year, it’s July 17th.

• In America, vanilla is ranked the most popular flavor. Graeter’s most popular flavor is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, closely followed by Madagascar Vanilla Bean.

• Thomas Jefferson is credited as the first American to write down an ice cream recipe.. It was vanilla!

• In American homes, 90 percent of freezers will typically have ice cream.

• The largest scoop of ice cream weighed more than 3,000 lbs, and measured 5’ 6”, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin!

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with Graeter’s!

This month, Graeter’s Rewards Members can enjoy a $1.52 cone to celebrate Graeter’s 152nd Birthday! Download the Graeter’s Rewards Loyalty app for sweet treats all month long!

Each summer, every three weeks, Graeter’s releases a new Bonus Flavor in scoop shops and online.: The flavor is considered a “Limited Time Only” flavor, and once the flavor is gone from scoop shops and online, the flavor is retired for the year. The third Bonus Flavor, which launched June 27th is Churro, a delectable combination of cinnamon ice cream with crunchy churro pieces.  

Happy Ice Cream Month, y’all!

Easy Fourth of July Entertaining Ideas

I was on WAVE-3 today, talking about few refreshing ideas for the holiday weekend! I shared some fun, simple cocktails and mocktails and a simple watermelon salsa recipe! Thanks to 5WPR and The Pioneer Woman Cookware for gifting me the serveware and spice blends used in these recipes!

The Pioneer Woman’s Watermelon Salsa

This recipe is so easy! Y’all know I’m all about keeping the hostess out of the kitchen so she can enjoy her guests. This recipe can be put together quickly and prepped ahead of time. You’ll need cubed watermelon, diced red onion, diced bell peppers, jalapeños, cilantro and fresh limes. Then you’ll throw all the fresh ingredients into a large bowl and toss it together and add lime juice to top. You can also add The Pioneer Woman’s “Anything Goes Everyday Seasoning” which will just add a nice boost of flavor. This spice has a blend of sea salt, celery, pepper, onion, garlic and a touch of lemon zest which will really just spruce this up even more. You can serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish with grilled chicken.

• 1/2 whole small seedless watermelon, diced

• 1/2 whole red onion, diced

• 1 whole red bell pepper, seeded and diced

• 1 whole green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

• 1 whole yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

• 2 whole jalapeños, seeded and finely diced

• 1 whole bunch cilantro, chopped

• Juice Of 1 To 2 limes

• 1/2 tsp. The Pioneer Woman Anything Goes Everyday Seasoning Blend

Directions:

Serve with chips, on top of grilled chicken or fish, or as a side salad!

Kentucky Mule

I like to use Maker’s Mark in a mule; I find that the sweetness of a high-wheat bourbon like Maker’s works well with the spiciness of a Ginger Beer. I also used Reed’s Ginger Beer. This brand creates all-natural REAL ginger ales and ginger beers and they now have several zero sugar options so you don’t have to sacrifice great taste with heathier alternatives. Reed’s Ginger Beer is crafted with REAL fresh ginger root, natural fruit juices, honey and spices for the perfect kick which is great on its own and mixed into cocktails.

• 2 oz Maker’s Mark

• 6 oz Reed's Zero Sugar Ginger Beer or Reed’s Ginger Beer

• Lime wedge

Fill your desired glass with ice. Squeeze the lime wedge over the ice and drop into the glass. Pour in bourbon and add the Reed’s Ginger Beer. Stir lightly and garnish with another lime wedge, if desired.

Mocktails

Another great summer beverage option is Virgil’s Zero Sugar Sodas. Virgil’s has unlocked the secret to great taste with zero sugar using a proprietary blend of sweeteners. They have a variety of bold, complex flavors including their newest flavor, Grapefruit, which is crisp and tangy! I like to play with the texture flavored sodas as sushies or over crushed Ice to create fun drinks at summer get-togethers. Don’t forget garnishes like mint and lime to add extra zing to the drink!

Cheers, y’all!