American apple pie is the perfect summer dessert and how better to enjoy it than in an American Apple Pie Ice Cream Float?! Cocktail and mocktail versions.
There is nothing more American than apple pie. BUT there’s nothing more delicious than enjoying it in an American Apple Pie Ice Cream Float! Easy to make, refreshing and both cocktail and mocktail versions!
Ice cream floats are a quintessentially summer dessert. Most of us remember our first root beer float, right? Well those are only the start of all the ice cream float options.
Being the heart of summer and with 4th of July around the corner, an American Apple Pie Ice Cream Float is the perfect flavor combination.
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What is an Ice Cream Float?
If you have not enjoyed an ice cream float they are an easy dessert recipe. A combination of ice cream and carbonated soda, sometimes with a flavored syrup, are combined in a glass. The ice cream develops a slightly crunchy exterior and the combination of the fizzy soda and ice cream are heavenly.
A Trick to Make Ice Cream Floats last Longer!
One thing I love to do if I’m making ice cream floats for a crowd, to make the assembly faster AND to keep the ice cream frozen longer: pre-freeze the ice cream balls!
Using an ice cream scoop, balls of vanilla ice cream are scooped and placed on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet to freeze overnight. When making the floats, the ice cream balls are quickly dropped into the glasses. Very fast and easy!
Make it a Cocktail or a Mocktail!
American Apple Pie Ice Cream Floats are completely flexible to meets diners needs and preferences with regard to alcohol content!
Use Hard Cider to Make a Cocktail Ice Cream Float
Hard cider (alcoholic) can be used to make boozy American Apple Pie Ice Cream Floats! If you are not familiar with hard cider it’s an alcoholic sparkling apple cider drink.
It’s very refreshing and hard cider is usually gluten-free so a great adult thirst-quencher for those gluten-free. Always check the label however!
Sparkling Apple Cider Makes a Mocktail
Sparkling apple cider gives the same delicious apple flavor without the alcohol. It’s a perfect choice for a non-alcoholic version.
Having both options on hand for a mixed party allows the individual floats to be ‘made to order’ (especially easy when you’ve pre-frozen the ice cream balls). Whichever sparkling apple beverage you choose, you’ll love these American Apple Pie Ice Cream Floats!
Assembling the Ice Cream Floats
Ice cream float recipes are not a perfect science and though I’ve supplied measurements for the American apple pie floats, you can adjust as needed.
Again my trick I’ve shared before, in my recipes for Strawberry Ice Cream Lime Soda Floats and Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream Floats of if serving a crowd, pre-freezing scooped ice cream balls makes quick work of assembling floats as well as delays the ice cream melting. A great tip on a steamy summer day.
Pre-frozen vanilla ice cream balls (or freshly scooped ice cream) are added to any size glass and filled with your choice of sparking hard cider or sparking apple cider. A dash of cinnamon on top is the finishing touch to make it all taste like American apple pie!
TIP: when the sparkling drink contacts the ice cream it will begin to foam. Pour slowly and a little bit at a time allowing the foam to subside before pouring more hard cider or sparking apple cider in the float.
Serving Suggestions and Accessory Ideas
Typically ice cream floats are best eaten with a spoon and a straw. I love these metal straws; they stay chilled and can be run through the dishwasher when finished. Red white and blue straws are fun for a patriotic occasion too.
If serving a crowd using a shorter glass like an Old Fashioned glass (especially for hard cider cocktail floats) stretches the ingredients over a larger crowd.
If using a tall glass longer spoons, like ice tea spoons, work really well to get every last bit of ice cream out of the glass!
Recipe
American Apple Pie Ice Cream Floats
Ingredients
- 3 2-inch diameter balls Vanilla Ice Cream (may be pre-frozen) (aproximately 1/2 cup)
- 6 ounces Hard Apple Cider (alcoholic) or Sparkling Apple Cider
- large pinch ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Place a 12-ounce glass in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Add ice cream balls to the glass and slowly fill with hard cider or sparkling cider. Allow foam to subside and add more cider.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon on top of the float.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
What a great idea! Not only perfect for the 4th, but all summer long!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I can’t say no to ice cream floats and this recipe is so unique! I have to try making this too. Apple pie is always a favorite in my family, but to have it in an ice cream float, this is going to be fantastic!
Erin Clarkson says
These look so delicious! We called these ‘spiders’ growing up!
Shannon Gurneeq says
This looks like a great idea for a family treat! I would love to try apple ice cream floats with my family! Thanks for sharing.