10 modern, original Ice Cream Float recipes
Summer is here, and it’s time for something special. These original ice cream float recipes will change your dessert game.
Say goodbye to the classic root beer float and hello to unique flavors that will amaze you.
Making creative floats is more than just mixing ice cream and soda. It’s an art that mixes unexpected tastes and textures.
Whether you’re having a BBQ or just want a cool treat, these ten recipes will make your summer desserts unforgettable.
Get ready to try unique ice cream floats that are far from ordinary. You’ll find everything from exotic fruits to rich dessert drinks. Each recipe is a journey for your taste buds.
Key Takeaways
- Discover ten innovative ice cream float recipes
- Explore unexpected flavor combinations
- Learn how to create unique dessert experiences
- Perfect for summer entertaining and personal indulgence
- Elevate your traditional float-making skills
Matcha Lemon Spark Float
Get ready for a unique mix of Eastern and Western flavors in this matcha ice cream float.
It turns the classic float into a fancy treat that excites your taste buds and cools you down.
Ingredients for Your Green Tea Dessert Drink
- 1 cup (240 ml) chilled lemon soda
- 1 large scoop (90 g) matcha green tea ice cream
- 1 tsp (5 ml) honey syrup
- Ice cubes (optional)
- Garnish: Lemon wheel + dusting of matcha powder
Preparation Method
- Pour lemon soda into a tall glass, filling about ⅔ full.
- Add honey syrup and stir gently.
- Add the matcha ice cream scoop.
- Garnish with lemon wheel and light dusting of matcha powder. Serve immediately.
Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions
Your lemon ice cream float mixes the earthy taste of matcha with zesty lemon.
The creamy green tea ice cream blends with the fizzy lemon soda, offering a rich taste.
It’s perfect for a refreshing summer drink or a fancy dessert after dinner.
Drink it right away to fully enjoy the mix of cold and creamy textures.
The bright green of the matcha ice cream against the light yellow soda looks amazing and will wow your guests.
Salted Caramel Espresso Cola Float
Take your dessert game up a notch with this adult ice cream float.
It mixes the deep taste of coffee with the sweet, complex flavor of caramel.
This twist on the classic treat is a gourmet delight that will excite your taste buds and senses.
Ingredients for Your Perfect Coffee Ice Cream Float
- ¾ cup (180 ml) chilled cola
- ¼ cup (60 ml) cold brew coffee
- 1 large scoop (90 g) salted caramel ice cream
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) caramel sauce
- Garnish: Sea salt flakes + caramel drizzle
Preparation Method
- Pour cola and cold brew into a tall glass.
- Add caramel sauce and stir lightly.
- Top with salted caramel ice cream.
- Sprinkle sea salt flakes and drizzle caramel over the top.
Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions
This adult ice cream float offers a rich flavor journey.
The espresso’s bitterness pairs well with the cola’s sweetness, and the caramel adds a deep, rich taste.
Enjoy it as a special treat after dinner or a luxurious afternoon pick-me-up that will wow anyone.
Pro tip: Choose top-notch cola and freshly brewed espresso for the best flavor.
Your caramel cola float will quickly become a favorite among coffee and dessert lovers.
Related Article: 10 Variants to the Coke Float.
Hibiscus Ginger Cream Float
Embark on a tropical journey with this exotic ice cream drink. It turns the classic float into a thrilling taste adventure.
The ginger hibiscus float combines unique ingredients for a refreshing and vibrant experience.
Crafting Your Ingredients
To make this stunning floral ice cream float, you’ll need a few special ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) chilled ginger beer
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) concentrated hibiscus tea, chilled
- 1 large scoop (90 g) vanilla ice cream
- Garnish: Candied ginger + hibiscus petals
Preparation Instructions
Making this unique float needs a gentle touch.
- Combine ginger beer and hibiscus tea in a tall glass.
- Add vanilla ice cream.
- Garnish with candied ginger and hibiscus petals.
Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions
Your ginger hibiscus float offers a complex taste journey.
The sweetness of vanilla ice cream is followed by the tartness of hibiscus and the warmth of ginger.
Serve it chilled in a clear glass to show off its beautiful layers.
It’s perfect for summer parties or as a fancy dessert drink.
This exotic creation will amaze your guests with its unique flavors.
Black Cherry Chocolate Float
Get ready for a decadent cherry chocolate float that’s like a classic Black Forest cake.
This dessert drink turns simple ingredients into a luxurious treat.
It will excite your taste buds and make your desserts better.
Ingredients for Your Delightful Float
- 1 cup (240 ml) black cherry soda
- 1 large scoop (90 g) dark chocolate ice cream
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) chocolate syrup
- Garnish: Fresh cherries + chocolate shavings
Crafting the Perfect Black Forest Ice Cream Float
Making this float is simple.
- Pour black cherry soda into a tall glass.
- Add chocolate syrup and stir lightly.
- Place chocolate ice cream on top.
- Garnish with cherries and chocolate shavings.
Serving and Presentation Tips
To make your float even better, add a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Sprinkle chocolate shavings and a maraschino cherry on top. It looks amazing and tastes incredible, impressing everyone.
This float is great for summer, dinner parties, or just treating yourself.
Each sip is a mix of rich chocolate and sweet cherry, taking you to dessert paradise.
Coconut Pineapple Sparkle Float
Get ready to feel like you’re in a tropical paradise with this summer dessert drink. It’s a refreshing twist on a classic piña colada float.
This tropical ice cream float will cool you down and make you feel happy.
Crafting Your Tropical Escape
Making this dreamy summer drink is easy. You just need a few simple ingredients.
Ingredient Lineup
- ¾ cup (180 ml) chilled pineapple soda
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sparkling water
- 1 large scoop (90 g) coconut ice cream
- Garnish: Toasted coconut flakes + pineapple wedge
Preparation Method
- Combine pineapple soda and sparkling water in a tall glass.
- Add coconut ice cream.
- Sprinkle toasted coconut and add pineapple wedge for garnish.
Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions
This piña colada float is a perfect mix of creamy coconut and tangy pineapple.
The bubbly soda adds a fun texture.
Enjoy it at summer parties, poolside, or as a special treat after dinner. It will take your taste buds on a sunny beach adventure.
| Flavor | Intensity | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut | Medium | Creamy |
| Pineapple | High | Fizzy |
| Overall Balance | Perfect | Smooth |
Strawberry Basil Cream Soda Float
Take your dessert game up a notch with this gourmet float recipe as it turns the classic ice cream float into a fancy treat.
The Strawberry Basil Cream Soda Float mixes unique flavors that excite your taste buds. It’s a fancy strawberry basil dessert that’s cool and complex.
Ingredients for Your Herbal Ice Cream Float
- 1 cup (240 ml) cream soda
- 1 large scoop (90 g) strawberry ice cream
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) strawberry syrup
- Garnish: Fresh basil leaf + sliced strawberries
Preparation Technique
Making this fancy float needs careful attention to taste.
- Pour cream soda into a tall glass.
- Add strawberry syrup and stir lightly.
- Add strawberry ice cream.
- Garnish with basil leaf and strawberry slices
Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions
Your Strawberry Basil Cream Soda Float is a perfect mix of sweet and herbal.
The basil’s spicy taste goes well with the strawberries’ sweetness. Vanilla ice cream adds a creamy base.
Serve it in a tall glass to show off its layers and colors.
Spiced Apple Pie Float
Get ready for the ultimate fall dessert drink. Our apple pie ice cream float captures autumn’s essence in a glass.
It brings the warmth of homemade apple pie into a refreshing drink that takes you back to cozy kitchen memories.
This cinnamon float recipe turns the classic American dessert into a delightful drink. It’s perfect for cool autumn evenings.
Creamy vanilla ice cream meets spiced apple soda, creating a perfect blend of flavors.
Ingredients for Your Autumn Delight
- 1 cup (240 ml) sparkling apple cider
- 1 large scoop (90 g) cinnamon ice cream
- Garnish: Ground cinnamon + apple slice
Crafting Your Perfect Float
- Pour sparkling apple cider into a tall glass.
- Add cinnamon ice cream.
- Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and garnish with apple slice.
Your apple pie ice cream float is more than a drink. It’s a celebration of autumn’s favorite flavors.
Serve it at your next gathering and watch as your guests fall in love with this nostalgic fall dessert drink.
Blueberry Lavender Float
Try a new twist on dessert drinks with this elegant lavender ice cream float. It mixes lavender’s floral taste with the sweetness of blueberries.
This unique drink turns a simple treat into a fancy experience that will wow your guests.
Ingredients for Your Floral Ice Cream Recipe
- 1 cup (240 ml) blueberry soda
- 1 large scoop (90 g) vanilla bean ice cream
- 1 tsp (5 ml) lavender syrup
- Garnish: Fresh blueberries + lavender sprig
Preparation Technique
- Pour blueberry soda into a tall glass.
- Add lavender syrup and stir lightly.
- Top with vanilla bean ice cream.
- Garnish with blueberries and lavender sprig.
Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions
Your blueberry lavender float is a mix of sweet and floral tastes.
The creamy lavender ice cream is smooth, while the blueberry soda adds a refreshing touch.
It’s perfect for summer parties, afternoon tea, or a fancy dessert after dinner.
| Flavor Notes | Serving Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Delicate lavender | Serve chilled in tall glasses |
| Sweet blueberry | Pair with light pastries |
| Creamy texture | Best enjoyed immediately |
S’mores Float
Imagine the magic of summer campfires in a glass with our s’mores ice cream float.
This drink turns the classic campfire treat into a chocolate marshmallow float. It takes you back to cozy nights under the stars.
Crafting the Perfect Ingredients
To make this ultimate s’mores ice cream float, you need a few key ingredients.
- ¾ cup (180 ml) root beer
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sparkling mineral water
- 1 large scoop (90 g) chocolate ice cream
- Garnish: Mini marshmallows (toasted) + crushed graham crackers + chocolate drizzle
Instructions
- Combine root beer and sparkling water in a tall glass.
- Add chocolate ice cream.
- Top with toasted marshmallows, sprinkle crushed graham crackers, and drizzle with chocolate syrup.
Flavor Experience
This is a decadent s’mores ice cream float that captures summer memories.
Each sip blends chocolatey richness with sweet marshmallow and crisp graham cracker notes.
It’s perfect for backyard gatherings or a nostalgic treat that brings the campfire experience to your glass.
Mango Chili Lime Float
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a Mexican-inspired float. It combines sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in one exciting dessert drink.
The Mango Chili Lime Float turns the classic ice cream float into a vibrant culinary experience.
It will wake up your senses and transport you to the streets of Mexico.
Ingredients and Preparation
Creating this spicy ice cream float is easier than you might think. This is what you’ll need:
- 1 cup (240 ml) mango soda (chilled)
- 1 large scoop (90 g) lime sherbet
- Garnish: Chili-lime seasoning (like Tajín) + lime wedge
Preparation Instructions:
- Pour mango soda into a tall glass.
- Add lime sherbet.
- Sprinkle with chili-lime seasoning and garnish with lime wedge.
Flavor Profile and Serving Suggestions
This Mexican-inspired float delivers a remarkable balance of cool and heat.
The creamy mango ice cream softens the spicy soda, creating a smooth texture with unexpected depth.
Serve it at summer gatherings or as a unique dessert that challenges traditional sweet treats.
It’s perfect for adventurous eaters who love bold flavor combinations that surprise and delight.
Pro tip: For an extra authentic touch, rim your glass with a mixture of chili powder and salt before pouring in the soda.
Your guests will be impressed by this refreshing and daring dessert drink. It brings a touch of culinary excitement to any occasion.
FAQ
What are ice cream floats?
Ice cream floats are cool drinks made with ice cream and fizzy soda. You put ice cream in a glass and then add soda. This mix creates a creamy, bubbly treat that’s great for hot days.
Can I make these float recipes without alcohol?
Yes, you can! All these float recipes are alcohol-free and safe for everyone. They’re perfect for families and fun for both kids and adults.
How do I get the best texture in my ice cream float?
For the best texture, keep your ingredients cold. Add soda slowly over soft ice cream. Pour soda down the glass’s side to keep it layered and prevent too much foam.
Can I substitute ingredients in these float recipes?
Yes, you can! You can change ice cream flavors, sodas, or garnishes to your liking. It’s all about making it your own.
How long do these floats stay fresh?
Enjoy these floats right away. They lose their texture fast, so it’s best to serve them immediately.
Are these float recipes difficult to make?
No, they’re easy! You need just a few minutes and basic ingredients. No cooking skills are needed.
Can I make these floats ahead of time for a party?
It’s better to make them just before serving. Keep ingredients chilled but assemble floats at the last minute. This keeps them fresh and bubbly.
Do I need any special equipment to make these floats?
You’ll need basic things like tall glasses and a scoop. A kitchen torch is optional for some recipes, but not necessary.
Are these floats suitable for dietary restrictions?
Yes, you can make them fit different diets. Use dairy-free ice cream, sugar-free sodas, or alternative milks for various needs.
What’s the best way to serve these float recipes?
Serve them in tall, clear glasses to show off the layers. Use chilled glasses and have garnishes ready for a nice finish.
