In short: An ice cream van usually roams routes and sells a fixed range of ice cream and lollies. A dessert and drinks truck is booked for a set pitch and time, serves made-to-order items such as freakshakes, hot chocolate and coffee, and can adapt its menu to the event.
People often search for an ice cream van when what they actually need is a dessert truck. They overlap, but they are not the same thing.
At a glance
| Traditional ice cream van | Dessert and drinks truck | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Often roams streets and estates, or sits at a regular spot | Booked to a set pitch and time at your event |
| Typical menu | Ice cream, 99s, lollies, a few drinks | Made-to-order shakes, hot chocolate, slushies, coffee, soft serve |
| Seasons | Mostly spring and summer | Can switch to a winter menu |
| Customising | Limited | Menu and format agreed with the host |
| Alcohol | Not normally | Optional at licensed events |
When an ice cream van is enough
A quick treat on a summer afternoon where guests just want a cone and the budget is small.
When a dessert truck is better
- You want the truck to look and feel like part of the event.
- You need hot drinks or coffee as well as cold treats.
- Your event runs into the evening or the winter.
- You want an optional grown-up bar for adults.
- You want a menu that suits all ages in a single queue.
Where Sugar Rush Truck sits
Sugar Rush Truck is a drinks and desserts bar on wheels, not a roaming van. It is coming soon, with a serving hatch and a five-item board for each season. See the menu or register your event.
Sugar Rush Truck is coming soon and is not trading yet. Register your event to hear when bookings open.