Orange Soda Bourbon Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream Floats are an adult cocktail everyone will love. Super easy to make. Makes any event a party!
The Super Bowl is this weekend, have you noticed?! The preparation and verve around it really does warrant unofficial holiday status. Menu suggestions have been flying around the internet for a month. The big brand commercials have been released for early viewing to hype everyone up (the Budweiser puppy and horse commercials get me every time).
I’ve heard multiple stories on NPR about the coaches’ polar opposite personalities and even a spoof on Saturday Night Live about ‘Deflate-gate’. America is primed and I have a cocktail-meets-dessert to add to your party menu: Orange Soda Bourbon Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream Floats. The name is a mouthful and the floats are fantastic.
I wanted to think of an unexpected treat adult-style and have loved the boozy milkshakes I’ve shared on Boulder Locavore (so have readers based on the number of times they’ve been pinned!): The Purple Pin (Eau de Violette Liqueur and Gin Milkshake) and Double Irish Trouble (Bailey’s Irish Cream and Irish Whiskey Coffee Shake) and Grasshopper Pie Milkshake (Creme de Menthe).
Ice cream floats are too often left in our A&W Root Beer childhood memories and an ice cream float and pairing bourbon with Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream and Orange Soda seemed just the ticket. It’s easy to prepare making and freezing balls of the ice cream beforehand leaving only a few minute creation when the time arrives. Simple recipes make for easier hosting too!
How to Prepare Bourbon Orange Soda Bourbon Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream Floats
Are they hard to make? NO WAY! Here’s my for-adults-only photo series to show you everything! Make sure you have plenty of maraschino cherries and a Collins Glass on hand!
STEP 1: Pour Bourbon into the Collins Glass.
Be sure to make enough for friends…..
STEP 2: Add Maraschino cherries.
STEP 3: Add pre-frozen Cherry-Vanilla ice cream balls (instructions on pre-freezing in recipe instructions).
STEP 4: Fill with Orange Soda (I love San PellegrinoSparkling Orange
Fill a bit and wait for the fizzing to subside….
And fill some more…..
Until the glass is full….
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This recipe intended for those of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly!
Bourbon Orange Soda Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream Floats Recipe:
Bourbon Orange Soda Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream Floats
Ingredients
Ingredients PER 1 Cocktail Float (can be multiplied for additional floats):
- 1/2-3/4 cups Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream formed into 4-1 1/2 inch diameter balls
- 1 ounce Bourbon (I used Maker’s Mark)
- 8 ounces Orange ‘Soda’ (aproximately) (I used San Pellegrino Sparkling Orange Beverage – Aranciata, which is widely available), chilled
- 2 Maraschino Cherries
- 14 ounce Collins Glass , straw
Instructions
- Place ice cream balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until hard; preferably overnight.
To Make the Floats:
- Pour the bourbon in a 12-14 ounce Collins glass. Add the Maraschino cherries followed by the 4 ice cream balls. Fill with Orange Soda (pouring on a tilt will help minimize the foam). Serve with a straw.
Seth B says
Its a cold snowy winter weekend here, so I think this bourbon ice cream float is the perfect taste of summer and perfect pick-me-up for a grey and blustery weekend! I just recently picked up a set of Collin’s glass straws too!
Thanks for posting Toni! Cheers!
Amira Marques says
Tank-you cute recipe!
I think good combination bourbon vanilla and cherry flavor if eat summer time.
your make floats is maybe favorites for my friends and me.
Trish says
This sounds SO GOOD! Just what February needs if you ask me. 🙂
Angela {Mind Over Batter} says
I want to pinpoint exactly where you had me here. Let’s see, the bourbon? The tip about freezing the ice cream? The cherries? You had me at float. Love this!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Not really sure what to say other than this sounds and looks AMAZING!
Jennifer Janz @Fabulousfoodstyling says
The cherry vanilla ice cream really puts this over the top. Wow! Can’t decide if this is an after dinner drink or if it is dinner!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Oh. My. Gosh. I love the tip of freezing the balls of ice cream, because who wants to mess with that when you’re waiting on your bourbon cherry float!!! I’ve started a new alcohol linky party on my other blog Grey is the New Black called Tipsy Tuesday – it’s brand new and I’m trying to get the word out – I would love if you would link up!
Ashley (QLCC) says
I LOVE bourbon, and san pellegrino sodas, and ice cream! This is just my dream drink 🙂
heather @french press says
I’m not even a big bourbon lover, but man do these sounds amazing! And I LOVE your step by step pics
Toni Dash says
Bourbon mixes so well with these flavors you won’t even really taste it strongly as if you were drinking it plain. This is delish, I promise. And thank you for the kind words on the pics! It’s pretty easy to follow but I so loved the colors I couldn’t resist the shots!
Marye says
This looks so good! It’s my kind of drink.
Toni Dash says
Ice Cream Floats should not be just for kids, right? And candidly if the bourbon is removed they can join in the fun too.
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
What a fun cocktail and I love the tip for freezing ice cream balls ahead of time to keep them firm longer, great idea!
Toni Dash says
I’ll confess Joanie, I’m distractable as soon as guests arrive so it’s much better for me (and the guests) to get as much done beforehand as possible. I can pour two things and put ice cream balls in a glass successfully even IF distracted!
Heather at Basilmomma says
Your photos are beautiful! I love this recipe, which would be perfect for having friends over, AND the straws!!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Heather! I agree completely on perfect for get togethers. Since the ice cream balls are pre-frozen it would be easy to do that even a few days ahead. Aren’t the straws the best?!
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
I am already in love with this…cocktail? dessert? ice cream float?…and can’t wait to try it!
Toni Dash says
I love it too Kristy! It’s just the right amount of everything in my book and easy to put together for a party by pre freezing the ice cream balls.