Description
Peppermint Christmas Float: Refreshing peppermint ice cream, fizzy soda, and festive candy cane topping. Quick, festive, and crowd-pleasing delight!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (4 scoops) premium vanilla ice cream
- 24 oz (3 cups) clear cream soda or lemon-lime soda
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) peppermint syrup
- 4–6 crushed candy canes (about ¼ cup)
- Whipped cream for topping (1 cup)
- 4 whole candy canes for garnish
- Red and green sprinkles (optional, 2 tablespoons)
- 2–4 drops red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Glasses Take your serving glasses (tall sundae glasses work beautifully) and place them in the freezer for 15 minutes. While waiting, crush your candy canes by placing them in a ziplock bag and gently breaking them with a rolling pin or heavy spoon until you have a mixture of fine powder and small chunks. If creating a rimmed glass, pour a small amount of corn syrup onto a small plate, and your crushed candy canes onto another. Dip the rim of each chilled glass first in the corn syrup, then in the crushed candy.
- Step 2: Prepare the Peppermint Component If using store-bought peppermint syrup, measure out your portions. If making homemade, combine ½ cup crushed candy canes with ¼ cup hot water and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan. Heat gently until dissolved, then cool completely. For a more vibrant color, add 2-4 drops of red food coloring to your peppermint syrup and stir well.
- Step 3: Layer Your Float Remove your chilled glasses from the freezer. Add 1-2 tablespoons of crushed candy canes to the bottom of each glass. Next, add 1-2 teaspoons of peppermint syrup to each glass. Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into each glass, pressing gently without compacting too much.
- Step 4: Add the Effervescence This is where the magic happens! Slowly pour about ¾ cup of chilled cream soda or lemon-lime soda down the side of each glass using the back of a spoon to guide it. Watch as the soda creates beautiful fizz around the ice cream. Leave about an inch of space at the top of the glass.
- Step 5: Garnish and Serve Crown each Peppermint Christmas Float with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with additional crushed candy canes and holiday sprinkles if desired. Garnish with a whole candy cane hooked over the rim of the glass. Serve immediately with both a straw and a long spoon.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 float (approximately 8 oz)
- Calories: 340 calories per serving
- Sugar: 38 grams
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 13 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 53 grams
- Fiber: 0.5 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Cholesterol: 45 mg