The Best Summer Treats. Ever.

Nothing is better than summertime. The beach, sundresses, flip-flops, parties on the patio…While all enjoyable in their own right, they become even more serendipitous when accompanied by a fabulously frozen/sweet/refreshing summer treat.

By Jill

Sure if you’re Kid Rock, drinking Whiskey by the bottle (And of course, singing Sweet Home Alabama…All. Summer. Long.) would be your summer standard. But for those of us who don’t get into fist fights at The Waffle House, treats can bring us back to the sweet nostalgia of chasing the ice-cream truck (Mickey-Mouse on a Popsicle stick anyone?). Nothing is better than that!

From trendy to old school, we here at College Candy put together our list of favorite summer treats. So grab a chaise lounge, some sunscreen, relax and dig in!

Slurpees from 7-11. While Slurpee’s will always remind me of high school (I grew up in Suburbia and we spent many-a-Saturday driving between 7-11’s… Clearly, I was no Kelly Kapowski), there is just something so yummy and refreshing about sipping on a slurpee. (Note: Best enjoyed in the parking lot watching the regular creepy guys going in to buy porn)

The Freezer Pop. Long before we had our licenses, we would make our own freezer pops (before running in the sprinklers or getting muddy on the Slip’N’Slide)

How To: Take an ice cube tray (or this fancy schmancy “freezer pop maker”) and fill it with a beverage of your choice- (Lemonade, OJ, Coke) cut popsicle sticks in half and insert them in the liquid. Stick them in the freezer and enjoy! (Don’t forget your Flintstones vitamin!)

If you really want to talk about throwback- does anyone remember these? Where you would suck the high fructose corn-syrup flavoring out until you were left with a piece ice wrapped in plastic?! I feel like I should be at summer camp in arts and crafts right about now, Obviously in my Hypercolor t-shirt.

Natural Frozen Yogurt. I may or may not have a slight (umm, major) addiction to this summer treat. But since there is no 12-Step program (yet) for yogurt addicts, I have decided to just run with it (there are worse things) and enjoy this fabulously refreshing and healthy summer fabulousness (ahem, daily- don’t judge me!). Berry Chill (in Downtown Chicago) is my personal favorite… All natural, low cal, packed with pro-biotics and other health benefits–not to mention the topping choices. Don’t live in Chi-Town? Plan a Trip! Or hit up one of your local shops, these types of places are popping up everywhere!

Iced Coffee. I think I could live off Iced Coffee and Berry Chill Alone. True Story. In fact, I can’t think of a single summer situation where Iced Coffee doesn’t make it instantaneously better. Sipping it on your way to summer class/job? Good. While shopping on a Saturday? Good. While at brunch catching up with that annoying friend you didn’t want to see in the first place? Good. Sipping on it while your boyfriend/hot random beach friend rubs sunscreen on your back? Gooood. Rule to live by: Iced Coffee just makes life better.

CC’s added tip: Top it off with soy milk to add a little sweetness without all the calories of flavored syrups or poison of artificial sweeteners!

Skinny Cow Products. All equally amazing for both your taste buds and your waist line. An indulgence sans guilt. Personal CollegeCandy Favorite: Skinny Cow Ice Cream Cones

Dairy Queen Blizzards. For the days when a guilt-less treat just won’t cut it.

Arnold Palmer. This half iced tea/half lemonade combo is my outside brunch go-to. Sip it by the pool, or better yet, on a raft in the pool, for an instant refresher.

Fresh or Frozen Fruit. While fruit has become a splurge (in terms of price that is. Seriously, I finally understand why America is fat. Oreos? Cheap. Snickers Bar? Practically free. Fruit? $5.00 for a small case of berries!!) But the truth is nothing beats summer fruit. So if anything, spending the summer living at home may actually have a perk: Free fruit from casa de Your Parents! Watermelon, peaches, plums, and cherries galore. Try freezing it, making your own smoothie or adding Cool Whip as another fruity alternative.

The Ice-Cream Truck. The past few days, the Ice-Cream Truck has stopped outside my work and while at first I was confused not having to BEG my mother to let me get it so close to dinnertime (I legit almost picked up the phone to call and ask), there is just nothing like going up to the always friendly man and ordering a Choco-Taco or a Baseball Mitt “Bubble Play Bar” with the Baseball Gumball in the center. And apparently, all my co-workers feel the same as people ran (skipped? can adults do that?) out of their cubicles and out the front door giddy with excitement. Nothing says perfect summer splurge like having the remnants of your ice-cream truck treat dripping down your chin! (Especially when said remnants are still on your chin at your 4pm meeting. Special).

Got a great summer snack find to share with us? Leave it below!!

And remember: Iced Coffee? Gooood.