It’s no secret that I love an ice cream float! I just think they’re so underrated. Floats so often get shortchanged; cheap vanilla ice cream and a dodgy can of soda does not make for an amazing dessert.
Oh, who am I kidding? It does. But that’s not to say we can’t improve on it!
Fresh fruit purees are the way to go, for sure. My fruit of choice today was the blackberry, which makes a luxuriantly purple puree, and a gorgeous lavender drink. But hey, don’t think that my ideas ended there.
I would love to try a strawberry + chocolate+ orange combo…or a roasted plum + lemon + vanilla one…or a rhubarb + ginger + froyo float!
To my mind the component parts of a luxe-float go like this: ice cream, flavouring, bubbles. From there, wherever you want to take the flavours is up to you. I just had another idea – cherry sauce, coconut ice cream, and chocolate shavings.
The more I think about the fun of floats, how dramatic they are and how delicious and endlessly varied they can be, I’m really wondering, why aren’t they more popular?
New business idea: float restaurant. Coates’ Floats is what I’d call it (my last name is Coates). All we sell is grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream floats.
Would you come to that? Or is that insanity?
OK, so maybe Coates’s Floats is one of the ideas that will probably stay in my head, but my love of floats will never die. They’re just such a great way to end a meal, celebrate a job promotion or just to perk up a slow afternoon. And this one is a particularly stellar example. The creamy vanilla, the tart, luscious blackberry and that little kick of lime really is a show-stopping combo.
Wanna hang out and drink floats and discuss our craziest business ideas? Because I’m so up for that.
xx Sarah.
- 2 cups frozen blackberries
- juice of 1 lime
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 2 scoops of ice cream, per person
- soda water
- sliced lime to garnish
- To make the blackberry sauce, place the frozen blackberries into a heatproof container and microwave on high for about 30 seconds, just enough to defrost and slightly warm them.
- Place the blackberries into a blender, or use a stick blender, and process them until they are completely liquid. Press the puree through a sieve into a small bowl.
- Taste the blackberries and add as much lime and sugar as you think is required. 1 lime and about ⅔ cup of powdered sugar is about as much as I normally use.
- To serve the float, place two small scoops of vanilla ice cream into a tall glass, and add a quarter of the blackberry sauce on top. Pour in enough soda water to come right up to the top of the glass without spilling, garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy!
This is spectacular! Love the colors, the styling, the flavors…love everything about this! Pinned :)
Thanks Averie! That means so much to me – I really appreciate it.
I would DEFINITELY go to that restaurant…perhaps every single day, if it were nearby. I am now very upset that I haven’t made a float myself in years. Somehow I forgot about them! You’ve inspired me, and I think I’ll make some next week.
Looks so lovely Sarah!
I love floats so much!! This recipe is fab!
Grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream floats? Who could ask for anything more!
Damn, these pictures are gorgeous! I can almost imagine drinking one right now. You should totally open up a coates floats. YES! DO IT!
I would happily be the first customer to Coate’s floats!!
Floats make for stunning pictures! Beautiful job!All of those combinations sound fabulous, but the chocolate, cherry and coconut one really made my jaw drop! need to get on that ASAP!
It sounds so good, right?
God, I haven’t had a float since I was 6 and that is ridiculous! I suppose I did not realize the fanciness potential of floats. My mistake.
Go to them Annie!
Love blackberries! Paired with ice cream in this treat, they must be irresistible!
I would be your best customer at Coates floats!!
This looks delicious! And i happen to have blackberries in the fridge.
A friend and i have a whole string of funny names for niche restaurants like your float store. For example, holey moley featuring various types of donut holes. Love it!
GIRL. These photos!!! And this recipe. Way too amazing.
Thanks Ash!
omg, this looks wonderful!
This is so gorgeous, love the layers!
Coates’ Floats!! I will be your first customer and order one of everything on the menu. I will also instagram everything and become a total float groupie for you….too much?
Never too much! Just the right amount.
And because Im in Amsterdam, a *Floating* Float restaurant. We can split the earnings :D
DEAL!
I’d Totes go to Coates Floats. Okay, maybe the thought of ice cream floating in soda turns me into an obnoxious 14 year old girl. Still, i’d most definitely frequent such an establishment. Can we get the blackberries with brie on a panini?
Oh my goodness – I’ve just made some vanilla ice-cream with leftover chocolate cake pieces in it and may have to try it with this!!! I’m not sure if the soda would affect the cake adversely though – what do you think?