Ice cream floats make me think of American soda shops, jukeboxes and waitresses who stow pencils behind their ears. So, transport yourself to the US with this classic, dreamy treat that’s made by combining fizzy pop with a giant scoop of ice cream.
The carbonated drink reacts with the ice cream and releases bubbles full of carbon dioxide that rise up to create a frothy foamy at the very top of the glass. The ice cream is cold in the centre but melty at the edges, the foam light in texture and the pop bubbly on the tongue.
Line your glass
Coat the inside of a tall glass with anything from chocolate syrup, salted caramel and strawberry sauce to hot fudge, fruit coulis or custard to gussy up your ice cream float from the get go. For next level decadence, drizzle creamy peanut butter or Biscoff up the sides of your glass (zap them in the microwave for 10 seconds to loosen them up first).
Make a cookie rim
Turn your glass upside down in a bowl of lemon juice to moisten the rim and then dip it in some finely crushed biscuits, chocolate chips, sour candy powder or freeze dried fruit (ruby raspberries look particularly pretty).
Select your fizzy drink and ice cream combo
Go for ginger ale, cola or cream soda for an old-school feel or try fizzy lemonade, orangeade or even Irn Bru. Anything goes as long as it's carbonated (you could even try Prosecco or a mix of Champagne and orange juice for a Mimosa style float).
Vanilla ice cream is a failsafe option that works with every carbonated drink but feel free to go wild with your combinations – chocolate ice cream is delish with cola, mint-choc chip is gorgeous with refreshing ginger ale and strawberry ice cream is scrumptious with lemonade.
Add some punch
Pour in your favourite tipple for a grown-up co*cktail style ice cream float. Add tequila to 7up and vanilla ice cream for a Margarita float or white rum and lime juice for a Mojito version (garnish with fresh mint).
Coconut cream mixed with fizzy lemon, a dash of rum and vanilla ice cream creates a Piña Colada float (serve it in a hollowed out pineapple and top with chunks of extra pineapple too). And a good malty, bitter stout, like Guinness, is great with hot fudge topped ice cream.
Ice cream or fizzy drink first?
For full-on froth, add the fizzy pop to a glass that has a healthy scoop of ice cream at the bottom. Pretend you're a bartender and do this slowly while tilting the glass so the foam doesn't rise up too quickly and make a mess. For a neater gentler froth, fill your glass two thirds of the way up with pop and add a generous serving of ice cream to the top so it floats.
Garnish grandly
Enjoy your ice cream float as it is or dress it up with toppings. We love birthday sprinkles but mini marshmallows, crumbled cookies, chocolate syrup, ruby-coloured grenadine and golden caramel are all welcome! Crushed up chocolate bars, crunchie, salted pretzels and even honey-coated peanuts work too.
Fresh fruit, like sliced strawberries, blueberries, cherries and mango add colour and a juicy, syrupy texture. And a dusting of cocoa, cinnamon or freeze dried fruit powder are perfect for a final flourish. Drop in a coloured straw (or two if you’re sharing!) and a co*cktail umbrella for a fun kitsch finish.
Ice cream floats are a delightful fusion of fizzy soda and creamy ice cream, evoking nostalgic Americana vibes with every sip. The interaction between carbonated drinks and ice cream creates a whimsical experience—the effervescence of the soda reacts with the ice cream, releasing bubbles of carbon dioxide that ascend to form a frothy, foamy layer atop the glass.
To begin, the choice of vessel embellishment is crucial. Coating the inside of the glass with various syrups like chocolate, salted caramel, or fruit coulis enhances the visual appeal and flavor complexity. For an extra touch, drizzling creamy substances like peanut butter or Biscoff along the glass's interior elevates the indulgence.
Creating a cookie rim adds another layer of texture and taste. Moistening the glass rim with lemon juice and dipping it in finely crushed biscuits, chocolate chips, or freeze-dried fruit enhances the overall sensory experience.
Selecting the perfect combination of fizzy drink and ice cream is where creativity shines. Classic choices like cola, cream soda, or ginger ale complement vanilla ice cream splendidly. However, exploring unconventional pairings, such as chocolate ice cream with cola or mint-chocolate chip with ginger ale, offers delightful taste adventures.
For an adult twist, incorporating alcoholic beverages like tequila, rum, or even stout can transform the ice cream float into a sophisticated co*cktail. These additions, when combined with fizzy drinks and ice cream, produce tantalizing concoctions reminiscent of classic co*cktails like Margaritas or Piña Coladas.
The method of assembly matters, too. For a frothier outcome, adding fizzy soda slowly to a glass with a substantial ice cream base is key. Alternatively, a neater presentation involves filling the glass partially with soda and topping it generously with ice cream.
To elevate the visual appeal and taste profile, garnishes play a pivotal role. Toppings ranging from sprinkles, marshmallows, and cookies to syrups, fruits, and various powders add a colorful, textural dimension to the float. Final touches like colorful straws, co*cktail umbrellas, and creative presentations add a fun, whimsical finish to this classic treat.
In essence, mastering the art of crafting an ice cream float involves a harmonious blend of creativity, flavor pairing, and presentation finesse, offering a sensory journey reminiscent of bygone eras and modern indulgence.
