There are few things worse than a lukewarm drink on a hot summer’s day, and it’s certainly not something you want to serve guests when hosting in the heat.
That’s where a convenient countertop ice maker, such as the Euhomy Ice Maker from Amazon, comes in to save the day.
This unexpected summer hosting essential can produce a small batch of ice in as little as six minutes, drastically cutting freeze time and saving you from last-minute store runs while guests are left waiting for their drinks to chill.
Running out of ice is one of the simplest summer hosting mistakes you can avoid, all with the help of an ice maker. This portable, counter-sized appliance is the best way to stay cool when hosting outside in summer.
With a 1.2L water tank and a powerful compressor, the machine can hold 1.3lbs of ice at a time, with nine cubes (the perfect amount for one glass) taking only six minutes.
It's whisper quiet, too, which is more than you can say for most plug-in appliances. It is no louder than the average refrigerator hum, so you can plug it in and forget about it as you converse with your friends and family.
Hosting keeps me busy at the best of times, so I love that the Euhomy has a self-cleaning function too. With one button, the machine will run automatically for half an hour to flush out the system, all without hands-on scrubbing.
As I gear up for hosting pizza parties with my best pizza oven and ice cream socials in my yard this sunny season, this unexpected essential might be my saving grace.
What Else to Shop
With eight small and eight large glasses, this complete glass set should be enough to serve all of your guests.
This handsome set includes all the bar tools needed to measure, mix, chill and strain your favorite cocktails and mocktails. It is made from non-toxic stainless steel, beechwood, and glass.
Twice as big and fast as the original Ninja SLUSHi, the Max is smarter than ever, with the new SlushAssist feature designed to give you perfect results every time, no matter the contents of your slush. It produces everything from slush to alcoholic cocktails and milkshakes without the need for extra ice.
Cocktail bar manager Cara Devine shares her expertise for home mixologists of all skill levels, from how to make cocktail bases (or which ones to buy) to the science and history of cocktails.
Keep your freezer neat and your countertops clear by decanting ice into a freezer bin. This pull-out bin comes with a scoop for quick and hygienic access, too.
If you have the outdoor space, this bar cart is the ideal summer hosting upgrade. It has a built-in ice bucket for keeping drinks chilled, and is ideal for self-serving.
Our experts have revealed more secrets to smarter hosting in 2026 to help set you up for the summer season.
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