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.
Jump to:
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
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.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
My Dad has always enjoyed ice cream floats. Yours sound nice and easy to make. Apple pie is my Dad’s favorite pie so I know he’d be up for trying yours out.
Veronica Solomon says
Such a perfect post today! I was looking for something wonderful to serve my guests tomorrow. They will love tehse ice cream floats. Thanks for sharing
Melissa Chapman says
That ice cream float is not only American but so cool and refreshing at a summer party. I don’t know if I can be as perfect with mine as you are but I am going to try and cool off with my own version.
Stacie says
This might be the best thing you’ve ever shared! Nothing beats apple pie and ice cream, and floats are always great for the summer. I have to try these!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
This was such a great idea at the time! I am so glad you made it at home, and now I can make it this summer. Thanks for joining us, it was so much fun!
Toni Dash says
It was great! Lots of laughs…..and a new recipe idea!
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon says
I can vouch for these bad boys – they are DELICIOUS!!
Camesha | Mama Motivator says
This sounds so good. I always gravitate towards apple desserts. These would spell trouble for me – in the best way. lol
Rosey says
I can’t even tell you how good this sounds!! I’d love to try this one.
Mary Edwards says
This looks delicious. Perfect for a nice summer treat here in the hot South. Thanks for sharing
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
How yummy! I love a good float, although I’ve never tried one with apple ice cream. Thanks for sharing this!
Toni Dash says
Actually it’s made with vanilla ice cream and either hard cider (boozy) or sparkling apple cider. The sprinkle of cinnamon really makes it all taste like apple pie!
Jeanine says
Wow this looks so delicious. What a really great idea! I wouldn’t ever think to make an apple pie float, but it does look and sound amazing! Will have to try it.
Nicole Escat says
Wow, the photo looks so yummy. I would love to try this at home. Thanks for sharing this.
Ryan Escat says
I love ice cream floats and this recipe looks so easy. Thanks for sharing this!
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
I want those, I really love anything that has to do with apple pies, cream and shakes! I kind of regret leaving the grocery a tad too sooner before having to read this, I was thinking of getting the ingredients. Well, tomorrow then!
Liz Mays says
Oh yum! I could do with a delicious float like this. It looks so good!
Sarah Bailey says
Oh my goodness this sounds amazing! What an absolutely delicious idea, I do need to try it. x
Marcie W. says
What an awesome summer cocktail idea, especially during Memorial Day weekend. You could totally make these with apple juice for the kids too!
Toni Dash says
Actually the sparkling apple cider option in the recipe is a great substitute for kids that keeps it fizzy too! Adults can enjoy the hard cider if so inclined.
MELISASource says
Those sound so yummy. Apple pie and ice cream is the best combo ever, so I KNOW this float is going to be fantastic.
Pam says
I love ice cream floats in the summer, they’re such a fun treat. These look like such a yummy version!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Those sound heavenly! I think I need to make these for our cookout tomorrow.