Alcohol-Free & Boozy Summer Float Recipes

On this special segment of Breakfast Television, I’m putting together some Boozy Summer Float recipes that you’ll be running to all Summer long. They’re fun, nostalgic and we even have an Alcohol-Free Summer Float that is worth all the hype. From a Porn-Star Martini-inspired Float, Root Beer and more, see why this is going to become your new favourite Ice Cream Treat.

Want to catch my LIVE SEGMENT ON BREAKFAST TELEVISION? Follow the link attached for all the on-air magic.

What is a Boozy Summer Float?

The concept is simple in nature and you probably already have some sense of what it is. So what is a Boozy Summer Float? Think Ice Cream with an element of soda (could be Sparkling Wine, Champagne, Cider, Beer and more) with a splash of a spirit. This tends to be my basic structure when building a Summer Float:

This ratio is a great guide, but it doesn’t mean you have to be married to it. Some spirits only need 0.5oz. Or maybe you want to mix a couple different sparkling components (say sparkling wine with San Pellegrino). Mix and match to your preference to find your perfect blend of flavours!

Porn-Star Martini Summer Float

I’ve never been one to get excited about a Porn-Star Martini Cocktail, but once I had a taste of Good Behaviour’s Passion Fruit Sorbet, I knew this would be the perfect Boozy Summer Float. I wanted passion fruit to be the star of the show with this float, and the Porn-Star Martini famously uses passion fruit. With that added bubbly factor in the original cocktail, it’s the perfect template to make a Boozy Summer Float.

So here I’m using Vodka (Dillon’s Vodka used here) with a slash of Licor 43. This brings in the vanilla notes so famously used in the Porn-Star Martini. Now I’m spicing things up by actually bringing out Champagne to the mix. Typically I’d say, go for the Sparkling Wine, save the money. But this extravagant Boozy Summer Float feels like the perfect occasion to splurge a little. That’s why I’m featuring Telmont Champagne Reserve Brut. Telmont is redefining luxury by proving that exceptional quality and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Its commitment has attracted a new generation of discerning consumers seeking products with both purpose and provenance.

Putting this together is simple so let’s get to that Boozy Summer Float recipe!

Print

Golden Hour Float

The Porn-Star Martini gets transformed in this Passionfruit, Vanilla Boozy Summer Float.

– Difficulty: Easy

Servings 1 Serving

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 2 Large Scoops Passion Fruit Sorbet using Good Behaviour Ice Cream
• 0.5 oz Licor 43
• 1 oz Vodka
• 2 oz Sparkling Wine or Champagne

Instructions

1. Grab an Ice Cream Bowl and add in your Passion Fruit Sorbet.
2. Pour the rest of the items, leaving the sparkling wine for the end.

Recipe Notes

Alternatively, can be served in a Pilsner Glass / Beer Glass

Vanilla Stout Beer Float

This float was entirely inspired by the Root Beer Float, but with the adult twist. I wanted classic flavours in this Vanilla Stout which is why I’m bringing out some amazing spirits and pairings in this combination.

St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout comes into play here for this version, but you can welcome any Stout you personally love. St Ambroise has always been a favourite here at Liquid Culture, so I wanted to highlight this brand. But the real fun comes with the added layer of whisky.

Now in this feature, I offer two choices between a Single Malt Whisky and a Whisky Liqueur. Both unique in it’s own right, but I wanted this choice to be on the viewers. If you love whisky, whisky cocktails and more, you might want the power house of the Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Single Malt Whisky. You’ve got an elegant, lightly smoked whisky made from 100% Scottish Barley. They’re a distillery known for its transparency, openly sharing details of its barley provenance, distillation, maturation and more! If you’ve never had the Bruichladdich, it’s quite a treat.

Then we have Drambuie, which for me is a STAPLE liqueur on my bar. It’s whisky-based, infused with honey, herbs and spices, and has long been a classic in cocktails. I use Drambuie constantly when I want to add that touch of sweetness to a cocktail, while bringing in a bit of weight and body to it.

So how do you choose which one is right for you? Well if you’re super sensitive to whisky and prefer something a bit sweeter, lean towards to the Drambuie here. If you want the whisky to be pronounced and you’re not afraid of a little smoke, grab the Bruichladdich. Both options are delicious, so there are no bad choices here.

Print

Vanilla Stout Float

Think Root Beer Float but the adult, boozy version instead – made with Vanilla Ice Cream, Stout and your choice of Whisky!

– Difficulty: Easy

Servings 1 cocktail

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 3 Small scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
• 5 oz Stout St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout
• 2/3 oz Bruichladdich Whisky Choice 1
• 1 oz Drambuie Whisky Liqueur Choice 2

Instructions

1. In a pilsner, add your scoops of ice cream.
2. Choose between the whisky and whisky liqueur options and pour 1 of those options whisky over top
3. Top with Stout

Black Forest Delight

The flavours of this Float reminded me so much of a delicious Black Forest Cake, that I’m already thinking about when I’m going to whip this up again. Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum plays a key role here, adding in the unique spices to the mix with a touch of sweetness. Think of how Rum is already a staple in cakes, so of course it would work here! And if you know me well, you know my love for R(h)um. Sailor Jerry is one of the few Spiced Rums I can stand by that’s actually accessible here in Ontario, using the traditional method of spicing overproof rums.

For my sparkling component in this float, I used Cowbell’s Berry Cider. I’ll be honest, I found a really delicious cider at the LCBO that I initially bought. Then I realized how many artificial ingredients were inside, so I sourced out something else. So thank you Cowbell’s for serving us the real real.

Print

Black Forest Delight

A delicious combination of Chocolate, Raspberry and Cider in this Black Forest inspired Float.

– Difficulty: Easy

Servings 1 Serving

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 2 Large Scoops Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream
• 2 Tbsp Raspberry Jam / Syrup
• 1 oz Sailor Jerry Rum
• 2 oz Berry Cider

Instructions

1. Layer your Ice Cream in between Raspberry Jam.
2. Add in your Rum and top with Cider.

Summer Strawberry Float

Last, certainly not least, and certainly not boring considering there is no booze – is the Summer Strawberry Float. I actually can’t believe how much I loved this mix of flavours. It’s creamy, bright, fresh with that hint of mint. This is a thing of beauty. I’m slightly tempted to add a dash of Dillon’s Vodka in this one. But it is perfectly capable of satisfying all the cravings on its own.

Vanilla, a homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, lemon soda and mint, all come together in the most magical way that you have to try it for yourself!

Print

Strawberry Fields

This Alcohol-Free Ice Cream Float is a perfect balance of berry, citrus, mint and vanilla. A must serve this summer.

– Difficulty: Easy

Servings 1 Serving

Author Monica C

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Homemade
• 2 Large Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
• 3 Mint Sprigs 1 for garnish
• 2 oz San Pellegrino Lemon Soda

Instructions

1. In your glass, add 2 mint sprigs (removed from stem).
2. On top you want to add in your Ice Cream and Strawberry Rhubarb Jam.
3. Pour Lemon Soda on top and stir.
4. Top with remaining Mint Garnish.

Recipe Notes

To make the Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, in a small saucer combine 2 cups roughly chopped Rhubarb, 1.5 cup Strawberry, 1/3 cup Water and 0.75 – 1 cup Granulated Sugar. Let this come to a simmer, and simmer for 12 minutes until the fruit has completely broken down. Stir occasionally. Adjust Sweetness if needed. You don’t want it to be too sweet, it should still have acidity to it.

Want to see some of my other TV segments? Make sure to follow this link HERE for all the TV magic and recipes with Liquid Culture.