Classic co*ke Float Recipe (2024)

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ByLana Stuart Published: August 12, 2022August 15, 2022 Last Updated: August 15, 2022

21 Comments

An old-fashioned treat of vanilla ice cream, Coca-Cola, and whipped cream. With a cherry on top!

5 from 5 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Learn how to make a Classic co*ke Float with vanilla ice cream, Coca-Cola, and loads of fun. Serve these easy-to-make drinks with a straw and a long-handled spoon.

Once, when our grandchildren were visiting us, I discovered that they had never had co*ke in the little glass bottles like we used to have as a child. What?! I knew I had to fix that right away, so I went straight to the store and picked up a six-pack.

Of course, those little bottles were more of a novelty, but they enjoyed them anyway. And at the end of the week, there was just one little bottle left. Hard to split that between two, so I came up with another childhood favorite for them to try – co*ke floats! According to them, they’d never enjoyed this particular treat either but were willing to give it a go since it involved ice cream.

A Classic co*ke Float is much like a root beer float if you’ve had one of those…just with Coca-Cola. It’s an oldie but a classic: ice cream with soda poured over it and your choice of toppings. You’ll definitely enjoy it as much as my grandkids (and I) do!

❤️ Why We Love This Recipe

Family-friendly: co*ke floats are a delicious treat for kids but they’re perfect for adults, too.
Cheap to make: You only need ice cream and Coca-Cola for this.
Easy and quick: This is a 3-step, 5-minute recipe! Can’t beat that for such an amazing treat.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …

“I love this old-fashioned treat and it’s seriously been soooo long since I’ve had co*ke, too. This hot weather definitely calls for a co*ke float!“
— Sues

🛒 Ingredient Notes

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Vanilla Ice Cream – Choose any brand that you like. You can also use dairy-free, low fat, or reduced sugar.
Coca-Cola – The real thing. I’ve tried this with diet co*ke and don’t think it’s nearly as good. This is a very infrequent treat, so go ahead and splurge.
Whipped Cream and Cherries – The toppings are optional but really finish off your float in a fun way! I’ve listed other ideas for toppings below.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🥄 How To Make A co*ke Float

It’s as simple as pie!

6-Pack Milkshake or Soda Glass with Spoons

6-pack 12oz fountain classic glass with 6 long stainless steel spoons.
Made of durable, crystal clear glass, heavy, thick, lead-free and BPA free. Dishwasher safe.

Check Price on Amazon

This post contains affiliate links. Lana's Cooking is reader-supported and earns a tiny commission at no extra cost to you when you shop from our links.

🔀 Recipe Variations

Other dark sodas such as root beer, cream soda, and Dr. Pepper all make great ice cream floats.
Try a fruit-flavored soda like orange soda, 7-Up, or Sprite.
Make a float using orange sherbet and Sprite! So good!
Chocolate ice cream and co*ke are an unusual but scrumptious combination.

❗Recipe Tips

Serve the float with a small plate underneath to catch any drips.
Chill the glass and the soda. Place the glass in the freezer for up to a half hour before making your float and use cold soda. This will keep all the ingredients nice and cold and slow down the melting!
Pour the soda slowly to keep the foam to a minimum.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Toppings are optional but make for a more interesting presentation.
Add syrup on top of the whipped cream. Use caramel, strawberry, or chocolate.
Add nuts on top of the whipped cream. Chopped peanuts are especially good in a co*ke float.

❓ Questions About Classic co*ke Floats

What’s the difference between a float and an ice cream soda?

An ice cream soda and a float are similar. An ice cream soda contains soda water, syrup, and ice cream. A float, however, is ice cream combined with a soft drink such as Coca-Cola or root beer.

How do you eat a co*ke float?

A float is served with both a long spoon (such as an old-fashioned iced tea spoon) and a straw. You usually enjoy the ice cream with the spoon until things are melted down and then finish with the straw.

Can floats be made ahead of time?

Um, no. Sorry. This is one of those things that must be enjoyed immediately after making it.

An old-fashioned treat of vanilla ice cream, Coca-Cola, and whipped cream. With a cherry on top!

5 from 5 votes

Print It Rate It Save

Course: Beverages

Cuisine: Southern, Vintage

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 serving

Calories: 315kcal

Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

For each serving use:

▢ 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
▢ 4 ounces Coca-Cola
▢ Whipped Cream
▢ Cherry

Instructions

Scoop the ice cream into tall glasses.
Slowly pour over the Coca-Cola.
Top with whipped cream and a cherry.

Notes

Serve the float with a small plate underneath to catch any drips.
Chill the glass and the soda. Place the glass in the freezer for up to a half hour before making your float and use cold soda. This will keep all the ingredients nice and cold and slow the melting!
Pour the soda slowly to create less foam.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally published on June 18, 2012. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.

Lana Stuart

Lana Stuart is the cook, writer, and founder of Lana’s Cooking. Lana has been cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 to share her delicious home cooking recipes. You'll find about 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
More About Lana →

I'm Lana Stuart, a culinary enthusiast with a deep passion for creating and sharing delightful recipes. With over a decade of experience, I've honed my skills in the kitchen, and my expertise extends to various aspects of cooking and baking. My commitment to delivering high-quality recipes has garnered positive feedback from a diverse audience.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about the Classic co*ke Float:

1. Recipe Overview:

Title: Classic co*ke Float
Author: Lana Stuart
Published Date: August 12, 2022
Last Updated: August 15, 2022

2. Introduction to the Recipe:

The article introduces a nostalgic treat, the Classic co*ke Float, consisting of vanilla ice cream, Coca-Cola, and whipped cream, topped with a cherry.
The author shares a personal anecdote about introducing their grandchildren to co*ke in glass bottles and subsequently treating them to co*ke floats.

3. Recipe Components:

Ingredients:
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Coca-Cola
- Whipped Cream
- Cherries (optional, for topping)

4. Recipe Preparation:

The process involves adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a tall glass, pouring Coca-Cola over it, and then topping it with whipped cream and a cherry.
The simplicity of the recipe is highlighted, emphasizing its family-friendly nature and the fact that it's quick and inexpensive.

5. Recipe Variations:

Suggestions for variations include using other dark sodas such as root beer, cream soda, and Dr. Pepper.
Fruit-flavored sodas like orange soda, 7-Up, or Sprite are recommended as alternatives.
A unique combination is proposed: orange sherbet and Sprite, and an unusual yet scrumptious combination is chocolate ice cream with co*ke.

6. Ingredient Notes:

The author recommends using any brand of vanilla ice cream and insists on using real Coca-Cola for the best flavor.
Whipped cream and cherries are listed as optional toppings, but the author encourages their inclusion for a more enjoyable experience.

7. Recipe Tips:

Practical tips include serving the float with a small plate underneath to catch drips, chilling the glass and soda to slow down melting, and pouring the soda slowly to minimize foam.

8. Serving Suggestions:

Toppings are suggested for a more interesting presentation, such as adding syrup (caramel, strawberry, or chocolate) on top of whipped cream or incorporating nuts, with chopped peanuts specifically recommended.

9. FAQ Section:

Addresses common questions about Classic co*ke Floats, including the difference between a float and an ice cream soda, how to eat a co*ke float, and whether floats can be made ahead of time.

10. Nutritional Information:

Nutritional details for one serving of the Classic co*ke Float are provided, including calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and other relevant information.

11. Author's Bio:

A brief bio about Lana Stuart is included at the end, stating her background, love for cooking since childhood, and the establishment of her blog, Lana’s Cooking, in 2009.

In conclusion, this article not only provides a simple and delightful recipe for Classic co*ke Floats but also offers insights into variations, ingredient recommendations, and practical tips for an enjoyable experience. The personal touch and expertise of the author contribute to the overall appeal of the recipe.