You know how I’m on a one-girl mission to bring back Floats? Well, the mission continues with this Lemon & Blueberry number! Zangy, just sweetened blueberry and lemon syrup, topped with lush vanilla ice cream, and fizzy water. FOR. THE. WIN.
Whether you’re waving goodbye to a Summer that just won’t seem to leave, or trying to entice in a Springtime, this is the perfect, sprightly yet decadent number for the job.
Aside from anything else, the colour of these babies is enough to entice me to make them, time of year irrelevant. I love the way that when you poor the soda water in, each float comes out in a totally different pattern and tone, it’s beautiful.
It reminds me of that scene in Jurassic Park where Jeff Goldblum’s character is explaining chaos theory to the lady archeologist, and the water rolls down her hand differently every time. Same concept. And a quality movie.
Anyway the real kicker here, of course, is that blueberry and lemon flavour combo. I love the way that blueberries have such a rich, round flavour when they’re heated. Just a short time on the stove is enough to transform them completely.
And that totally irresistible, deep purple blueberry flavour is best friends with sharp, aromatic lemon. I add just enough sugar to take the edge off the sourness, but not too much that you don’t notice it. And voila. With the creamy vanilla? A star is born.
Once I saw the colour that the syrup came out in (and you should know that I used frozen blueberries, but fresh would be great too) I couldn’t resist whipping out this pink background again. The pink on pink? So decadent, so midcentury modern, I love it.
I feel like listening to The Marvelettes and Nancy Sinatra and Brenton Wood while I look at these photos, and drink one of these babies. I think I’m gonna go troll the internet for a record player. And hey, what’s the weather like where you are?
xx Sarah
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- Juice of a large lemon
- ⅓ cup (75g) caster sugar
- ⅓ cup (85ml) water
- vanilla ice cream and soda water, to serve
- Place the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar and water into a saucepan, and place over a medium heat.
- Bring the mixture up to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and then remove from the heat.
- Carefully crush the blueberries with a fork or potato masher, or wait until the liquid cools and blend it. Then, push the liquid through a sieve in a jug.
- To serve, divide the blueberry base between four tall glasses, top up with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, and pour over soda water.
I’m in the saying goodbye to summer category with you and this is just what this monday needs! Bonus points for the Jurassic Park reference!
Floats definitely need to appear more in my life! And flavours like this in general! Yum!
That color, tho!
PS — congrats on your saveur nomination!!!! Are we finally going to meet each other IRL???!
Thanks Michelle! I REALLY want to go, but it’s going to cost me a bomb to get there. I’m gonna try my best, but I don’t know.
Floats make me feel like a kid again, although these aren’t anything like the floats I had growing up!
Me too! My beloved Grandad used to make them for all us grandkids, and that’s why I love them so!
Oh my gosh, that syrup is too dreamy. The color is just incredible (and I love the way you describe cooked blueberries — so perfectly captured!) and the thought of this in a float is just beyond perfection. Amazing, Sarah. (And P.S. CONGRATS on the Saveur nom!!! You rock, lady!!)
Thanks lovely! Congratulations to you too!
This looks FRICKEN amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Bianca! You know I love your work! xx
Totally crushing on the color of these floats. And they just make me feel like a kid again. So good!
Woah! This is so colorful and beautiful! I always love your pictures but these ones are specially cute. :-)
Warm weather is slowly approaching here in Spain and couldn’t think of a better way to spend my afternoon at my rooftop, enjoying one of your ice cream floats! <3
xoxo
Thanks Gemma – Spain sounds absolutely gorgeous with the warmer weather rolling in. Can I come and visit?
Yes to floats! When I was a kid I always wanted a coke float at pizza hut, I don’t know if they even still do them? I need to find this out. I love how much pink is in this blog post. They look amazing.
It snowed here yesterday. My boss looked up mid-rant and totally lost his train of thought when he saw it. Maybe if I drink enough floats summer will come?
Dumb question from a totally Amateur photographer. How did you get that seamless pink background? Vinyl? Love these shots! P.S. I’m so excited for your Saveur nom. Well deserved!
Thanks Renee! And that’s not a dumb question at all! It’s just a big piece of poster paper, which is curved up and leaning against a board. Does that make sense – let me know if it doesn’t and I can do a picture for you.
xx
Sarah
Oh why do I always forget about floats! We devoured sorbet floats last summer and your beautiful blueberry concoction has hit my craving! Looks Divine!! And bubbly.
LOVE! This looks amazing. :)