12 Ice Cream Float Recipes That Are as Refreshing as They Are Indulgent

Updated on July 17, 2020 at 9:25 AM

Ice cream floats have been around for ages, gaining serious popularity in the time of the soda jerk and soda fountains of the 1940s and '50s. They're still a beloved treat to enjoy during the summertime, but the flavors and options to choose from have come a long way! Gone are the days of just the classic root beer float with vanilla ice cream — thanks to some creative foodies out there, we can all experience ice cream floats with flavors like cherry limeade, Dr. Pepper, and even caramel macchiato. There are a ton of delicious and refreshing options for ice cream floats, and you can even make them boozy by adding a shot of your favorite alcohol or ditching the soda and making a float with beer! Keep reading for a list of tasty ice cream floats to whip up at home this summer.

Boozy Hot Chocolate Float

This boozy hot chocolate float combines warm hot chocolate with cold ice cream for the perfect contrast. Top it off with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry.

Get the recipe: boozy hot chocolate float

Caramel Bourbon Root Beer Float

Caramel and bourbon are a great combination that work well together in a lot of recipes. Adding the combo to a root beer float is a fun way to give an adult spin to a classic treat.

Get the recipe: caramel bourbon root beer float

Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream Float

This float combines coffee and ice cream, and what's better than that? It features a coffee and caramel macchiato creamer base over vanilla ice cream. And if you don't have a waffle bowl, a regular bowl or cup will work, too.

Get the recipe: caramel macchiato ice cream float

Cherry Limeade Float

One of the best drinks to sip on warm afternoons is a cherry limeade, and you can also turn it into a float! This recipe is super easy and topped with lemon-lime soda.

Get the recipe: cherry limeade float

Coconut Lime Ice Cream Float With Toasted Coconut Cashew Crisps

This float uses seltzer instead of soda, making it a lighter alternative to overly sweet floats. And the combination of coconut and lime tastes like a tropical vacation even if you're making this in your own kitchen.

Get the recipe: coconut lime ice cream float with toasted coconut cashew crisps

Dirty Dr. Pepper Float

This float is based on popular summertime cocktail the dirty Dr. Pepper. The float combines your favorite variation of Dr. Pepper with coconut and lime sorbet for an over-the-top treat.

Get the recipe: dirty Dr. Pepper float

Chocolate Guinness Float

Beer floats have been a popular trend in recent years, and we're so here for it. This float combines Guinness and chocolate ice cream for a deliciously smooth float you'll love.

Get the recipe: chocolate Guinness float

Lavender Earl Grey Blackberry Ice Cream Float

In this recipe, Earl Grey tea is combined with blackberries and lavender to make a puree that's mixed with sparkling water. Vanilla ice cream is added to create the float, which has lots of summer flavors and a beautiful color.

Get the recipe: lavender Earl Grey blackberry ice cream float

Moscow Mule Float

Ginger and lime are one of the most refreshing combinations, so this float is the perfect indulgence for summer. It combines ginger beer, vodka, and lime sorbet for a twist on the classic Moscow mule drink.

Get the recipe: Moscow mule float

Raspberry Sorbet Pink Champagne Float

Any cocktail with Champagne as a main ingredient is a winner in our book, and adding raspberry sorbet takes it over the top as a float! Top everything off with fresh raspberries for a light and refreshing treat.

Get the recipe: raspberry sorbet pink Champagne float

Spiced Baileys Root Beer Float

The classic root beer float gets an upgrade with the addition of Baileys Irish Cream and cinnamon. We love this float for a dessert on a chilly summer night thanks to the addition of the warm cinnamon flavors.

Get the recipe: spiced Baileys root beer float

Homemade Strawberry Vodka and Spiked Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Float

This float recipe is a little more involved since you'll be making your own strawberry vodka, but the time put in will be worth it. The end result is a float that screams summertime, and you'll have plenty of strawberry vodka left over to make more cocktails later!

Get the recipe: homemade strawberry vodka and spiked strawberry shortcake ice cream float