How to Make the Perfect Strawberry Ice Cream Float

The perfect ice cream float – fizzy soda and strawberry syrup, paired with creamy vanilla ice cream and topped with one of our candy kabobs. 

Perfect for a special occasion or just a delicious treat all year round!

Why is it perfect? Because YOU control how strong the soda is with how much strawberry syrup you use, just like the soda fountains in the 1950s.

Frequently asked questions about Ice Cream Floats

What is the difference between an ice cream soda and an ice cream float?

Ice cream soda uses plain soda water, and ice cream float uses flavored soda.

When were ice cream floats invented?

In 1874, drug store clerk Robert McCay Green invented the ice cream float in Pennsylvania.

What is a Black Cow?

In August of 1893, Frank Wisner of Cripple Creek, Colorado, invented the black cow, also known as the delicious root beer float.

How do I make my ice cream float less fizzy?

Add your soda first and then your ice cream.

Do other countries call ice cream floats by any other names?

In New Zealand and Australia, they are called spiders. They are they are called helado flotante in Mexico. In the United Kingdom and South East Asia, they are known as coke floats. 

Variations of an Ice Cream Float:

• Change up the flavor by using orange soda, root beer, grape soda, or orange juice.
• Make your float less sweet by using soda water, ginger ale, or club soda.
• Use different ice cream flavors like chocolate ice cream, strawberry ice cream, 
• Make sherbet floats by using sherbets like lemon, orange, mango, pineapple, peach, raspberry, blueberry, or .lime sherbet
• Garnish with maraschino cherries, fresh pineapples, orange slice, or any delicious combination.
• Make a classic Coke float by using Coke or Pepsi and 
• Add a maraschino cherry to the coke float, then bring in cherry syrup and make yourself a cherry coke float. 
• Use our chantilly cream recipe and substitute it for canned whipping cream.
• A drizzle of chocolate syrup would be a nice touch over the whipped cream.

Supplies needed to make your floats:

• ice cream scoop
• glasses (we love these can-shaped ones) and glass straws

How to make Strawberry Soda Ice Cream Floats

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream
• 1 tablespoon strawberry syrup – adjust to your taste
• 8 oz Lemon-lime soda, we used a partial can of 7-up
• Whipping cream spray
• Valentine’s Day candy kabobs

Directions

1. If you like your ice cream floats foamy, add your ice cream first. We like 3 scoops for a creamy float.

​2. Drizzle strawberry syrup over ice cream.

3. Pour soda over the ice cream.

4. Top with canned whipped cream. 

​5. Garnish with candy kabobs, marichino cherries, or chocolate syrup. 

Whether it is a hot summer day, or if you are searching for a variation of a traditional root beer float, we know you will love our spin on the classic ice cream float. 

Be sure to pin this so you can have our recipe ready for your next treat craving!