I love soda. Say what you will about its lack of nutritional value and ability to corrode tooth enamel—it tastes good! So when it comes to adding soda to desserts, I’m all for it. Ice cream and soda together are such a perfect pairing, especially in the summer. Something about the creaminess of the dairy with the acidity and carbonation of the soda feels so decadent yet refreshing, and I can’t get enough.
I sat down with my thoughts in an attempt to determine some of the best flavor combinations for ice cream floats. In the process I ended up looking like the confused math lady meme, but it was totally worth it. Here are five ice cream float combination concepts that I think you should be serving up this summer.
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Don’t wait for Christmas to roll around to enjoy your festive chocolate orange. Make an ice cream float version of it year round! This is such a supreme flavor combination that translates wonderfully to ice cream float form. The dark chocolate and the citrus are perfect together.
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For a riff on a creamsicle, try Jarritos Pineapple Soda poured over Haagen Dazs’ Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (aka the best vanilla ice cream in the game). This will give you that creamy, citrusy taste you crave with a new flavor profile. Feeling freaky? Add a little Malibu rum and you have yourself a boozy pina colada float!
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I must give credit where credit is due: I had a root beer float made with Maine blueberry ice cream from a stand at the Yarmouth Clam Festival about eight years ago. It was wonderful and I continue to preach the gospel of blueberry and root beer together. Don’t believe me? Try it!!! Do believe me? Thank you!!!
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Ube ice cream is perfect on its own, but dousing it in cream soda takes it to the next level. This combo is creamy, vanilla-y, and sweet. The cream soda is mild enough to let the ube sing. If you can get your hands on ube ice cream, 10/10 would recommend.
+ 365 by Whole Foods Market Salted Caramel Ice Cream
If you want a very sweet treat, try dousing a scoop of 365’s Salted Caramel Ice Cream with a can of Dr. Pepper. I know this is extremely sugary, but the caramel flavor works really well with the complexity of Dr. Pepper. This dessert won’t hit for everyone, but sugar fiends will absolutely love it. If you’re doing dessert, why not go full-blown dessert?
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