Tutti Frutti

How to Throw a Big Gay Ice Cream Social

During the last weekend of summer, throw an imaginative (and boozy) ice-cream social with tips from the founders of the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop.

Foodcollection RF

By Douglas QuintSep 03, 2012

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/ice-cream-social-tease_wmrc6p — Labor Day weekend signals the demise of seersucker, endless beach getaways, and the one sweet treat that brings to mind the summer season more than any other: ice cream.

To celebrate the holiday, the founders of the East Village’s Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, Bryan Petroff and Douglas Quint, put together a how-to for throwing an ice-cream social. Their motto is "there's no food more fun than ice cream," so live it up accordingly.
Foodcollection RF

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/ice-cream-social-float_uszhfh — Hit the gourmet soda aisle for some unique and refreshing floats: Sprecher’s root beer, IZZE lime, P&H Soda Co. hibiscus soda syrup, Maine Root blueberry, old-school Grape Crush or a super-spicy ginger beer are all fantastic options. Crazy Straws optional.

Anna Williams / Getty Images

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/ice-cream-social-drag-queens_cp3ll9 — No party is complete without a fabulous host. One of our favorite spirit mothers is Bertha Mason. She works our shop's door on the weekends and bakes a wicked pie.

Courtsy of Bertha Mason

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/ice-cream-social-heath_ngjoas — Who says you can’t bring out your finest for ice cream? And we think the finest is California-based Heath Ceramics. They may not be cheap, but they're elegant, classic, and will last forever.

Jeffery Cross / Courtesy of Heath Ceramics

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/ice-cream-social-unicorn_dgv1rp — Buy lots and lots of these and turn your back yard into an enchanted forest. Be prepared for everyone to take at least one home with them.

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/ice-cream-social-beach-boys_akgqwu — Throw together a Motown meets Wall of Sound meets Punk playlist: the Ramones, the Ronettes, Blondie, Ike & Tina Turner, the Beach Boys, Shirley Ellis, the B-52s. Or check out some of the fun mix CDs compiled by director John Waters or one of our favorite current bands: the über-fab Hunx and His Punx. All available on iTunes, as is our own Big Gay Ice Cream Song by the Go-Gos’ Jane Wiedlin.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/ice-cream-social-hawaiian-shirts_duhwrl — Have everyone don some amazing vintage fabric, printed Reyn Spooner Hawaiian shirts.

Courtesy of Reyn Spooner

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/makers-mark_jw799s — Add rum and fresh strawberries or Maker’s Mark bourbon and maple syrup to spike up vanilla shakes.

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/shark-week_iomyao — Create shark-inspired sundaes, including blue-dyed vanilla ice cream and white-chocolate shark teeth. (Thanks to our friend and former Cupcake Wars contestant Ricky Webster, whose birthday party was the inspiration for this one.) Kiddie pools optional.
Chris Fallows / Discovery Communications

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/sea-salt_zopjrr — Trust us on this one. Salt kicks up almost any ice-cream flavor. Throw some Maldon Sea Salt on vanilla along with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a dollop of fig sauce. Or use Maldon Smoked Sea Salt over chocolate.
Courtesy of Maldon

galleries/2012/09/03/how-to-throw-a-big-gay-ice-cream-social/coke-float_cw0pgp — We made these as kids all the time. Freeze some Coca-Cola in plastic tumblers and scrape with a spoon to eat. If you happen to add a rum floater, who are we to judge?
Rodger Macuch

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