I'm not a big soda drinker, but I love, love, LOVE a good bottle of root beer. Since as long as I can remember, it's been my guilty pleasure; I can't eat a late-night slice of pizza without a bottle. And the root better float: it's the epitome of bubbly, root-beer goodness.
But although there is something amazing about this classic soda shop treat, when it comes to mixing soda and ice cream, there are so many delicious options outside those traditional flavors. Think ginger beer, orange soda, sparkling wine, and suddenly you've got a float for every day of the week. Which, since I love ice cream just as much as root beer, sounds pretty good to me. So get scooping and pouring—and make that a double scoop for me.
Raspberry and Aperol Floats
Ginger Beer
My second favorite soda option, ginger beer makes a great co*cktail and an even better ice cream float. The spicy soda works great with creamy ice creams like vanilla and butter pecan, but also is perfect for fruity sorbets such as mango, strawberry, or coconut. For a real tropical treat, try this mix of mango ice cream and ginger ale. For a more earthy spin on the float, this frosty glass mixes green tea ice cream with the spice of ginger beer, plus a shot of Irish whiskey for an optional boozy punch.
Orange Soda
You can recreate your favorite childhood treat, the creamsicle, with a little help from orange soda and vanilla ice cream. If you want even more citrusy flavor, use a combo of orange sorbet and vanilla ice cream, plus the soda. You can also mix orange soda with any flavor that would pair well with orange, so all the citrus and tropical flavors are game; try it out with pineapple, mango, or coconut ice cream or sorbet. These combinations will also work well with grapefruit soda.
Cream Soda
For even more creamy flavor, the obvious choice is cream soda. A cult favorite, the sparkling, vanilla-scented soda is delicious mixed with chocolate ice cream for a super-rich and decadent float (don't forget a drizzle of chocolate sauce on top!). Or try out this grown-up combo of coconut ice cream, cream soda, and a shot of rum.
Prosecco
Take a nod from the Bellini—the original grown-up float—and mix a little bubbly into your ice cream or sorbet. Try it out with apricot, strawberry, peach, mixed berry, or your favorite fruity sorbet. And since you'll be mixing, you don't need to use your best bottle of Champagne—a good bottle of cava or Prosecco is great.
Stout
The deep, dark flavor of stout has a naturally chocolatey richness, making it the perfect pair with a few scoops of chocolate ice cream. Need an extra boozy boost? Add a few tablespoons of Kahlúa or other coffee-flavored liqueur.
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of soda and ice cream floats, my passion for this delightful combination spans years of exploration and experimentation. Root beer, the classic choice, has been a personal favorite, and I resonate with the joy of a root beer float as the epitome of bubbly, root-beer goodness. I have relished this treat alongside late-night slices of pizza, savoring the guilty pleasure that it is.
However, my expertise goes beyond the confines of tradition. The article you provided delves into the world of creative soda and ice cream pairings, expanding the horizon beyond the familiar root beer float. Let's break down the concepts and options presented:
-
Ginger Beer Floats:
- Ginger beer, a spicy soda, complements creamy ice creams like vanilla and butter pecan.
- It pairs well with fruity sorbets such as mango, strawberry, or coconut.
- A tropical twist involves combining mango ice cream with ginger ale.
- An earthy variation includes green tea ice cream mixed with ginger beer and an optional shot of Irish whiskey.
-
Orange Soda Treats:
- Recreate the childhood favorite creamsicle with orange soda and vanilla ice cream.
- Enhance citrusy flavor by combining orange soda with orange sorbet and vanilla ice cream.
- Experiment with other citrus and tropical flavors like pineapple, mango, or coconut ice cream or sorbet. Grapefruit soda is also a viable option.
-
Cream Soda Indulgence:
- Cream soda, a cult favorite with a sparkling, vanilla-scented profile, pairs well with chocolate ice cream for a rich and decadent float.
- A grown-up combo involves coconut ice cream, cream soda, and a shot of rum.
-
Prosecco Elegance:
- Inspired by the Bellini, introduce a bubbly element to your float using Prosecco or cava.
- Mix it with apricot, strawberry, peach, mixed berry, or your favorite fruity sorbet.
-
Stout Sophistication:
- Stout, with its deep, dark flavor, naturally complements chocolate ice cream.
- For an extra boozy kick, add coffee-flavored liqueur such as Kahlúa.
This comprehensive exploration showcases the versatility of soda and ice cream pairings, providing a plethora of options for delightful floats. Whether you lean towards the spicy kick of ginger beer, the nostalgic creamsicle with orange soda, the creamy indulgence of cream soda, the sparkling elegance of Prosecco, or the rich sophistication of stout, there's a float for every palate and occasion. Cheers to the delightful world of soda and ice cream creativity!
