Craving a sweet escape this summer? Kroger is making it easy to travel without ever leaving your kitchen—with a spoon in hand. The retail giant just launched its limited-time “Summer in a Pint” ice cream and sherbet collection, featuring four dreamy flavors inspired by vacation hot spots. And to celebrate the sunshine, Kroger is giving away 92,000 free pints of ice cream on June 20 (aka the summer solstice).
That’s right—one pint for every day of summer. Whether you’re a coconut lover or a chocolate devotee, this collection brings all the sunshine vibes to your freezer, no TSA required. The cold never tasted so good!
Vacation in Every Bite
The “Summer in a Pint” lineup delivers vacation nostalgia in every spoonful. The flavors are bold, whimsical, and designed to take your taste buds on tour:
- Italian Style Summer Fizz: A blood orange sherbet with a tangy citrus ribbon and popping candy. It’s basically an Italian beach party.
- Fireside Nights: Toasted marshmallow ice cream packed with s’mores bits and a glittery orange swirl—think campfires, without the bug spray.
- Sandy Shores: Coconut ice cream with salty pretzel crunch, for those who prefer snacks with their sunshine.
- Poolside Tan Lines: A trio of vanilla bean, chocolate, and coffee ice creams swirling like a perfect summer playlist.
The giveaway starts Friday, June 20 at 12 p.m. EST. Customers can grab a free pint coupon at FreeKrogerIceCream.com—but be quick, these scoops are first-come, first-served. Coupons can be redeemed through July 4, just in time for your backyard barbecue.
Freezer Goals, Unlocked
Sure, it’s delicious—but this launch is also a strategic flavor play. Kroger is using seasonality, nostalgia, and a little bit of whimsy to win in the competitive frozen dessert aisle. Here’s what’s cool about it (besides the temperature):
- Limited-time offerings (LTOs) create urgency—and buzz.
- Global flavor profiles (hello, blood orange and coconut!) cater to adventurous palates.
- Textural fun like popping candy and swirls adds excitement for kids and adults alike.
- Private label power is on full display—proving store brands can be just as fun and premium as national names.
Your Summer Just Got Sweeter
Behind every glitter swirl and citrus pop lies a supply chain of opportunities. For R&D teams, suppliers, and bulk buyers, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Expect increased demand for flavor extracts like blood orange, marshmallow, and coffee.
- Ingredients like pretzel inclusions, popping candy, and custom swirls are rising stars in frozen desserts.
- Clean-label indulgence continues to trend—consumers want fun, but also transparency.
- Co-mans and private label producers should prep for more fast-turnaround seasonal launches.
Kroger’s pint party may be retail-facing, but the behind-the-scenes ingredient sourcing is where the magic starts. From sherbet stabilizers to candy inclusions, this drop highlights the importance of having flexible, flavor-forward partners in the supply chain. Kroger always keeps shelves stocked with smart picks, fresh finds, and everyday favorites!
Your Next Big Scoop Starts Here
Kroger’s latest frozen fling is more than just a fun campaign—it’s a signal. Flavor is getting bolder. Textures are getting crunchier. And even private label is pulling out all the stops to compete with the premium brands.
If you’re in the ingredient game—whether you specialize in flavor systems, crunchy inclusions, or creamy bases—this is the season to bring your A-game. Summer is short, but the demand for creative, craveable treats is year-round.
Want to explore how to turn your ingredients into the next big thing in frozen? Reach out to us today—we’d love to help you melt hearts with your next pint-perfect innovation.
