Stop what you’re doing and make this Strawberry Ice Cream Float, now! Seriously, it’s bomb, y’all! With fresh strawberries combined with creamy vanilla ice cream and strawberry soda! It makes one of the best summer dessert beverages ever created!
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Nothing says summertime quite like fresh strawberries. This is when they are at their ripe, juicy, and sweet peak. Letting them soak in sugar for a short bit before assembling your floats enhances their natural flavor and sweetness. Each sip is refreshing and enjoyable. They’re perfect for an afternoon treat beside the pool or an after-dinner dessert at your next cookout.
The Heart & Soul Of This Strawberry Float Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: All-American
Primary Cooking Method: Mixing
Dietary Info: Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Creamy and sweet with the tart flavor of strawberries.
Skill Level: So easy it’s suitable for all levels! Get the kids to help whip them up.
Sweet Spots
- Simple Dessert: If you’re looking for a sweet treat you can serve up that requires minimal effort and no special tools to prepare you’re going to love this recipe.
- Perfect for Hot Summers: While you can enjoy a strawberry float anytime you want, nothing is better than sipping on a creamy, sweet, and cold dessert on a hot summer day.
- Enjoy at a Wide Variety of Events: They’re great for entertaining but also a simple dessert to serve the family any night of the week.
- Four Ingredients: That’s all you need to make this recipe! It can’t get any easier than that.
- Versatile Recipe: Really you can change up your floats in so many ways. Change the berries, use a different flavored soda or ice cream, add toppings, and more. Keep reading to find out some of my favorites!
Ingredients to Make a Strawberry Float
- Vanilla Ice Cream; Kick off this float with a creamy twist. Vanilla ice cream is the MVP here, bringing that classic, smooth flavor we all scream for!
- Chilled Strawberry Soda: Pop in some bubbly fun with a can of chilled strawberry soda. It’s the fizzy lift in this ice cream float that also adds additional fruity flavor.
- Freshly Sliced Strawberries: Nothing beats the sweetness of fresh strawberries. These ruby gems are sliced to perfection, ready to mingle with the ice cream and soda for a wonderful berry flavor.
- Sugar: A sprinkle of sugar makes everything nice, giving those strawberries an extra glossy, sweet embrace.
How to Make a Strawberry Float
- Prep the Strawberries. Add the fresh strawberries to a bowl and toss with the sugar.
- Let Them Macerate: Let the berries sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. This releases the juices from the strawberries.
- Layer It Up. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a glass.
- Add the Berry Layer. Add the fresh strawberry sauce on top of the ice cream.
- Make It Fizzy. Pour in the strawberry soda.
- The Final Touch. Garnish with whipped cream if you like.
Tips for Making the Best Strawberry Ice Cream Float
- Serve Immediately. Floats are best enjoyed when the ice cream is still a bit frozen and the soda is bubbly.
- Spoon and Straw for Serving. I prefer serving floats with both so you can dig up spoonfuls of ice cream while sipping the soda!
- Serve in a Clear Glass. Really any glass will work but I love the layered look of these decadent drinks.
- Use Fresh Ripe Strawberries. Buy them as close to the time you plan to prepare these floats in order to ensure their quality. Look for berries with a bright red color which often indicates more flavor.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Chocolate Dream Float: For all the chocolate lovers out there, swap the vanilla ice cream for a decadent chocolate scoop. Drizzle some chocolate ganache over the top for a chocolate-covered strawberry treat.
- Citrus Burst Float: Add a zesty twist by topping your float with a splash of lemon or lime soda. The citrus sparkles, works perfectly with the strawberries, and creates a refreshing treat.
- Berry Bonanza Float: Toss in a medley of berries – think raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries – for a berry explosion.
- Tropical Escape Float: Give your float tropical flavors by using coconut ice cream and pineapple juice. Garnish with a slice of pineapple for more island vibes.
- Sparkling Sorbet Float: For a lighter, dairy-free option, substitute vanilla ice cream with a scoop of strawberry sorbet and use sparkling water instead of soda. It’s a fizzy, fruity delight that’s so delish!
What to Serve with Strawberry Floats
- Fresh Whipped Cream. If you’ve got the time I highly recommend making your own homemade whipped cream and ice cream! Try it with a scoop of strawberry ice cream instead of the vanilla.
- Kid’s Birthday Party. These are the perfect beverages to serve up for a kid’s (or adult) birthday party. Enjoy it with a chocolate birthday cake or this festive funfetti cake.
- Cookies. Garnish your strawberry soda float with a cookie! It makes a festive garnish that also doubles to dip up the ice cream. Try some traditional sugar cookies, chocolate sugar cookies, or even store-bought cookies such as Vanilla Wafers or shortbread.
- Sprinkles: Add some colorful sprinkles on top especially when serving for kids.
How to Store a Strawberry Float
For best results, store all the components separately until you’re ready to enjoy it. Store the vanilla ice cream in the freezer and the sliced strawberries, along with the can of strawberry soda, in the fridge. This ensures that each element maintains the best texture and flavor.
I don’t recommend storing floats AFTER you make them. They are best served and enjoyed right away.
How long will ice cream floats last in the fridge?
The strawberry sauce will last up to three days so you can enjoy another strawberry soda float to use them up. Store the ice cream in the freezer in the back of the freezer, tightly closed and it will last up to a month.
Can I freeze a soda float?
I don’t recommend freezing the strawberries as they will change texture when thawed and you if you freeze an assembled float the strawberry soda will lose it’s fizz.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to turn this into an adult-only strawberry float you can replace the strawberry soda with sparkling wine. You can also choose a sweeter wine or combine it with white wine with a bit of fruit juice added. There are lots of options here!
Sure, if you prefer a less chunky strawberry sauce you can chop the strawberries in a food processor to the desired consistency or blend them until pureed.
If you’re having a party, I love to set up a float bar. This allows you to give everyone a few options to choose from. Offer a variety of ice cream flavors, fruit sauces, and different sodas. Another option is to serve it up in a punch bowl. Combine the ice cream and strawberry soda in a punch bowl and then offer the strawberries on the side!
Are you ready to sip on a strawberry float yet? Y’all let me tell you, I’m craving one right now. I can’t wait for that first hit of creamy goodness that’s a bit effervescent and full of sweet yet tart strawberries. So good and I can’t wait for you to try it too! Enjoy.
Favorite Ice Cream Drink Recipes
- Apple Cider Floats
- Caramel Milkshake
- Oreo Milkshake
- Skinny Chocolate Milkshake
- Pineapple Milkshake
- Banana Milkshake
Strawberry Float
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Ingredients
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 can strawberry soda chilled
- 1 pound of fresh sliced strawberries
- 2 tablespoons of sugar I used vanilla sugar from The Spice House
Instructions
- Make a fresh strawberry sauce by tossing the strawberries with sugar in a bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature as the juices release from the strawberries.
- To make float, alternate by adding a scoop of ice cream then fresh strawberry sauce to your glass. Pour in the strawberry soda. Garnish with whipped cream if you like.
Notes
- Serve Immediately. Floats are best enjoyed when the ice cream is still a bit frozen and the soda is bubbly.
- Spoon and Straw for Serving. I prefer serving floats with both so you can dig up spoonfuls of ice cream while sipping the soda!
- Serve in a Clear Glass. Really any glass will work but I love the layered look of these decadent drinks.
- Use Fresh Ripe Strawberries. Buy them as close to the time you plan to prepare these floats in order to ensure their quality. Look for berries with a bright red color which often indicates more flavor.
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This was wonderfully tasty and easy. Will definitely be making again!!
Thank you so much!
So good, so easy and so delicious! Will definitely be making again.
I haven’t had a float in ages. You’ve inspired me to make these this weekend. Yum!
Floats are such a nostalgic dessert. I can’t believe I haven’t had one in years and I know I now must make these strawberry floats. I know my family will be thrilled. Thank you.
This took me back to slumber parties and staying up all night. So good! Loved the extra strawberries.