Britain’s basking in a rare (and rather sweaty!) heatwave, and while we love the sunshine, staying cool is a whole other story. Whether you’re sunbathing in the garden, escaping indoors with the fan on full blast, or dreaming of the beach, one thing we all need is a delicious way to beat the heat.
From nostalgic ice cream floats to vibrant fruity sorbets, we’ve rounded up our favourite frozen treats that don’t just cool you down — they taste like summer too. Let’s see what’s scooping!
✅ In This Article, You’ll Find
- Simple, refreshing ways to stay cool during the UK heatwave
- Easy frozen treat recipes — from ice cream floats to fruity sorbets
- Healthy, dairy-free, and no-churn ideas the whole family can enjoy
- Quick tips for staying cool naturally, indoors and out
- Delicious ways to turn up the chill and turn down the heat!
Heatwave in the UK? Here’s How to Keep Your Cool
With temperatures soaring across the UK, keeping cool isn’t just a luxury — it’s essential.
While fans and cold showers help, one of the most enjoyable ways to beat the heat is with refreshing frozen treats.
From nostalgic floats to zingy fruit-packed sorbets, the freezer is your best friend this summer.
And whether you’re sunning yourself in the garden, chasing shade indoors, or packing a cool box for an outdoor adventure, we’ve got delicious, icy inspiration to keep things sweet and chill.
Cool, Fun, and Full of Flavour — Frozen Recipes To Try
Here’s a quick collection of frozen treat recipes and refreshing ideas for all ages and tastes — including some healthy options too.
Easy to make, no fancy equipment needed, and perfect for heatwave snacking!
1. Classic Ice Cream Floats (With a Fizzy Twist!)
There’s something timeless about an ice cream float — creamy, fizzy, cold and fun to drink and scoop.
☕ Coffee Float (aka “Cold Brew Affogato”)
A sophisticated grown-up version of the classic float.
You’ll Need:
- 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate ice cream
- 150ml chilled cold brew coffee
- Optional: whipped cream or coffee liqueur drizzle
How to Make:
Place the ice cream in a tall glass, pour over the cold brew, top with whipped cream or a splash of Kahlúa. Enjoy with a long spoon and a straw.
🍓 Strawberries & Cream Soda Float
Perfect for Wimbledon season or a garden party cooler!
You’ll Need:
- Strawberry ice cream
- Lemonade or cream soda
- Fresh strawberries, optional
How to Make:
Scoop, pour, fizz, sip. Optional garnish: crushed strawberries or a mint sprig.
Root Beer or Cola Float
The classic American-style float — retro, refreshing, and making a fizzy comeback in the UK!
You’ll Need:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Root beer or classic cola
- Optional: maraschino cherry or whipped cream
How to Make:
Scoop ice cream into a tall glass, pour over chilled root beer or cola slowly (watch for fizz!), and garnish with a cherry or swirl of whipped cream if you like. Sip with a straw and enjoy the nostalgia!
💡 Want to switch things up? Simply swap your favourite dairy-free ice cream for a plant-based version — or add a splash of spiced rum, bourbon, or coffee liqueur for an indulgent grown-up float!
💡 Beat the Heat: Try making fruit-infused ice cubes with cucumber, citrus, or berries — perfect for refreshing water and float toppers.
🍋 2. No-Churn Fruit Sorbets (Healthy & Refreshing!)
Naturally dairy-free and incredibly refreshing, sorbets are perfect for when you want something lighter but still full of flavour.
🍋 Lemon & Honey Sorbet
Bright, zesty, and cooling — perfect for after dinner or sunny afternoon refreshment.
Ingredients:
- Juice of 4 lemons
- 100g honey
- 300ml water
- Optional: lemon zest, mint
Method:
- Mix juice, zest, honey, and water until smooth.
- Freeze in a container, stirring every 30 mins for 3 hours.
- Scoop and serve!
🍉 Watermelon & Lime Sorbet (No Added Sugar!)
Hydrating, naturally sweet, and brilliantly pink.
Ingredients:
- ½ large watermelon, deseeded + cubed
- Juice of 2 limes
- A few mint leaves
Method:
Blend all ingredients, pour into a shallow dish, freeze, stir every 30 mins until scoopable.
💡 Did You Know? Freezing blended fruit into pops or cubes makes great zero-waste, naturally sweet snacks that keep kids cool and hydrated.
🥭 3. Healthy Smoothie Ice Lollies aka Popsicles
Quick to whizz up and easy to pour into lolly moulds if you want grab-and-go coolers later.
🥭 Mango Coconut Ice Lollies
Tropical and creamy — great for breakfast, snacks or post-sun lounging.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango
- 200ml coconut milk
- Juice of half a lime
- Handful of ice
Method:
Blend until smooth and enjoy immediately — or pour into moulds and freeze for later.
🍓 Strawberry Banana Blitz
Classic combo and kid-approved!
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 6–8 ripe strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 200ml milk or dairy-free alternative (almond, oat, or coconut work beautifully)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness)
- Handful of ice
Method:
Blend until creamy and smooth. Serve chilled with a strawberry on the rim or freeze into pops for a refreshing afternoon treat.
💡 Quick Tip: Keep your smoothie or ice cream glasses in the freezer for 20 minutes before serving — it keeps everything cooler for longer!
🍦 4. No-Churn Ice Cream Ideas (Easy Cool-Down Scoops)
If you’re out of churners but craving real ice cream, try:
🍫 3-Ingredient Chocolate Ice Cream
Rich and creamy, a delicious chocolatey, easy-to-make no-churn ice cream.
- 400ml double cream
- 1 tin condensed milk
- 100g melted dark chocolate
Whip cream, fold in condensed milk + chocolate, freeze. Scoopable, rich, and no-churn required!
🌱 Dairy-Free Banana “Nice Cream”
Naturally sweet, endlessly customisable — and just as creamy as the real deal!
You’ll Need:
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
- A splash of oat or almond milk (about 2–3 tbsp)
- Optional: 1 tbsp cocoa powder, peanut butter, or a few drops of vanilla extract
How to Make:
Add the frozen banana slices to a blender or food processor. Pour in a small splash of your milk of choice to help it blend. Blend until smooth and creamy — scrape down the sides if needed. Stir in your flavour add-ins (cocoa, nut butter, or vanilla). Serve immediately as soft-serve or freeze for 1–2 hours for a firmer, scoopable texture.
💡 Top tip: Want a swirl of chocolate? Melt a little dark chocolate and drizzle it in just before freezing — it’ll form “magic shell” ripples as it sets.
💡 Quick Tips to Keep Cool Naturally
✅ Keep a spray bottle of cold water nearby
✅ Drink often (add cucumber or citrus to water!)
✅ Freeze sliced fruit for instant ice cubes
✅ Avoid cooking indoors — opt for freezer-friendly treats instead!
💬 Struggling to get that perfect texture?
If your no-churn ice cream turns out too icy, crumbly, or flat, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.
👉🏽 Check out our guide: Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks for No-Churn Ice Cream for simple fixes and scoop-worthy results every time.
📌 Related Reads
👉🏽 Naturally Sweet Sorbets For Summer – Healthy, Easy Dessert Ideas
👉🏽 Anyone For Pimm’s? Homemade Pimm’s And Lemonade Ice Cream
👉🏽 Summertime, And The Chilling Is Easy – It’s Ice Cream Time!
The Final Scoop
When the UK heatwave hits, it’s time to head to the freezer! Whether you’re sipping a fizzy ice cream float, enjoying a zingy sorbet, or blending up a smoothie pop, frozen treats offer a fun and tasty way to cool down fast.
Add in a few smart chill-down tricks — like icy fruit cubes, no-cook recipes, and staying out of the sun during peak hours — and you’ve got yourself a summer survival strategy that’s as delicious as it is effective.
☀️ Stay safe, stay hydrated, and keep cool — one scoop at a time!
We’d love to know your favourite way to beat the heat. Tag us on social @FrostedFusions or drop a comment below!
We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Beat The Heat – Cool Down With Ice Cream, Floats, Sorbets & Frozen Summer Treats – and that we have given you some ideas to help keep cool this summer. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.
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That article on frozen summer treats inspired some serious daydreaming about ice cream floats, especially as the mercury climbs!
A few thoughts:
-Versatility is the secret sauce whether you’re into classic Coke or root beer floats, or want to get creative with citrus, jam, or even adult spins like beer floats, there’s no wrong way to float it, just your style. Some recipes pair vanilla scoops with Italian sodas or sparkling lemonade, others layer in sea salt or candied fruit for extra punch.
– They’re strangely genius in simplicity one recent write-up on All recipes even highlights lemonade‑inspired treats as fantastic heat busters. And a classic Southern Coke float is still unbeatable for nostalgia and satisfaction in under five minutes.
– Float bars make for great gatherings, kids love the retro diner feel, while adults can get crafty with boozy or gourmet twists. Think minty watermelon yogurt floats, prickly pop-rock‑infused ice creams, or rose‑strawberry syrup creations for 4th of July flair.
Consider chilling your glasses ahead of time to keep that scoop from melting, pour soda down the side to control the fizz level, and top with extras like whipped cream, cherries, or fresh fruit.
Ice cream floats are summer at its finest, simple, flexible, endlessly creative, and utterly refreshing. Whether you stick with a classic root beer float or explore jams, cocktails, or lemonade-flavored versions, they’re a perfect chill-out treat. ????
What flavour combos are you tempted to try this summer?
Kind regards,
Martin
Hi Martin,
Thank you so much for another thoughtful and flavour-packed comment, appreciate your insights.
You’re absolutely right — the magic of floats lies in their versatility. We love the sound of those gourmet twists you mentioned (prickly pop rocks? Very cool – literally! And the idea of minty watermelon yoghurt floats sounds like something we need to try before the next heatwave hits.
Totally agree on pre-chilling the glasses too — a simple trick that makes all the difference when the sun’s out in full force.
We’ve been playing around with berry jams swirled through lemonade floats lately, and a splash of elderflower cordial adds a lovely floral note. What’s on your “must-experiment” list this summer?
If you’re tempted to create your own float bar or try a new combo, we’d love to hear (or see!) how it turns out.
Thanks again for stopping by, much appreciated.
All the best
Cherie
This post was such a delight to read! As someone not particularly familiar with the world of ice cream and frozen desserts, I feel like I’ve stumbled upon a treasure trove of refreshing ideas! The no-churn recipes are especially appealing since I don’t have an ice cream maker yet. The banana “nice cream” sounds like a great healthy option, and I’m very curious to try the mango coconut ice lollies too — would those work just as well with tinned mango pulp instead of fresh?
I also love the idea of floats, especially the strawberries and cream soda version. It sounds so nostalgic and perfect for summer! Do you have a recommendation for the best type of cream soda to use — something light and not too sweet?
One question I had: how long do the homemade sorbets and smoothie pops usually last in the freezer before the texture changes or they get icy? I’d love to batch some ahead of a gathering but want to make sure they stay smooth and scoopable.
Thanks again for all the tips and beautiful visuals — this post made me excited to experiment more with frozen treats, especially in this heatwave. Can’t wait to dive into your troubleshooting guide next!
Hi Michael,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment — we’re so glad that our article sparked some frozen treat inspiration for you!
You’re absolutely right — the no-churn recipes and banana “nice cream” are perfect starting points if you’re just dipping your spoon into the world of homemade ice cream.
And yes, you can definitely use tinned mango pulp for the mango coconut lollies! Just be sure to go for one with no added sugar if possible, or adjust the lime juice to balance things out — the result should still be smooth, tropical, and delicious.
As for cream soda, we love using a lightly carbonated, vanilla-forward style — something like Fentimans or Virgil’s works beautifully. If you’re after something more subtle and less sweet, a splash of sparkling elderflower pressé can also add a lovely twist.
Great question about storage, too! Homemade sorbets and smoothie pops are best enjoyed within 7–10 days if you want to keep that just-churned texture.
For best results:
Store them in airtight containers with parchment pressed directly onto the surface to minimise ice crystals.
Let them sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping or serving.
And avoid refreezing once thawed — they tend to lose their smoothness.
We’re so glad to hear you’re planning to explore more, and absolutely recommend checking out our Troubleshooting Guide for No-Churn Ice Cream next. It’s full of little tweaks to help get the texture just right.
Let us know how your frozen experiments turn out — and feel free to tag us @FrostedFusions if you share them. We’d love to see your mango lollies or floats in action!
Stay cool and happy scooping,
— Cherie @ Frosted Fusions