The holidays are a time for indulgence, cheer, and easy, festive fun—and nothing captures that spirit better than a Tasty Peppermint Christmas Float. This recipe is a nostalgic dream come true: it’s bubbly, creamy, minty, and requires just three simple ingredients. Forget complicated holiday baking; this is the effortless, high-impact dessert that will delight both kids and adults at your next party.
We combine creamy vanilla ice cream with bright, bubbly soda and the essential crunch of crushed candy canes. The result is a stunning red-and-white spectacle that looks like a festive explosion in a glass. This float delivers on texture (creamy, fizzy, and crunchy) and flavor (sweet vanilla, cool peppermint, and a hint of fruity soda). It’s perfect for a quick, stress-free dessert, a holiday movie night, or an adorable Christmas Eve treat.
Get ready to ditch the complicated recipes and embrace the ease and joy of this Tasty Peppermint Christmas Float. It’s guaranteed to be the fastest, most fun dessert to disappear from the table this holiday season!
Why This Festive Float is a Holiday Must-Make
This recipe is simple, but its popularity and “wow” factor are huge, making it ideal content for sharing and pinning.
- Three-Ingredient Simplicity: The core recipe requires only vanilla ice cream, soda, and crushed peppermint, making shopping and assembly incredibly fast.
- High Visual Appeal: The striking red soda, white ice cream, and colorful candy cane garnish create a beautiful, festive contrast that performs exceptionally well on visual platforms like Pinterest.
- Zero Baking Required: Perfect for when your oven is already occupied with savory dishes (like Cider Brined Roast Chicken) or holiday cookies. This float requires only assembly.
- Customizable for All Ages: While fun for kids, it’s easily adaptable into a gourmet treat or an adult beverage with simple substitutions and additions.
- Instant Nostalgia: Floats are a classic treat, and adding the peppermint flavor immediately transports everyone back to childhood Christmas memories.
Ingredients
Keep your ingredients cold for the best float experience!
For the Peppermint Christmas Float
- 8 scoops (about 1.5 quarts) high-quality Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (must be hard-frozen)
- 1 (2-liter) bottle Cherry, Strawberry, or Cream Soda, chilled (the red color is essential!)
- 1/2 cup Crushed Peppermint Candy or Candy Canes (divided for rimming and topping)
- Whipped cream, for topping (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Peppermint extract (for extra mint flavor)
- Optional: Red or green sprinkles (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions: Assembly and Presentation
The trick to a great float is to build it quickly and ensure a dramatic presentation.
Part 1: Preparing the Glass (5 Minutes)
- Prep the Candy: Place 1/4 cup of the peppermint candy canes into a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet to finely crush the candy.
- Rim the Glass (Optional, but Fun!): Pour a thin layer of simple syrup, honey, or light corn syrup onto a small plate. Pour the crushed candy onto a second small plate. Dip the rim of your serving glass (or jar) first into the syrup, and then immediately into the crushed candy, rotating until the rim is fully coated.
Part 2: Building the Float (2 Minutes Per Glass)
- Scoop the Ice Cream: Place 2 large scoops of hard-frozen Vanilla Bean Ice Cream into the bottom of each prepared glass. Pro Tip: Use an ice cream scoop dipped in hot water for clean scoops.
- Add Optional Extract (If Used): If you desire an extra punch of mint, drizzle a tiny amount (1/4 teaspoon) of peppermint extract directly over the ice cream scoops.
- Pour the Soda: Slowly tilt the glass and pour the chilled soda down the side, stopping about 1/2 inch below the rim. The soda will fizz up immediately!
- Watch the Fizz: Allow the foam to settle for 30 seconds.
- Finish and Garnish: Top the float with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint candy and any optional festive sprinkles over the whipped cream. Serve immediately with a straw and a long spoon.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Bubbly Float
Getting that ideal creamy consistency and dramatic fizz is easy with these expert tricks.
- The Power of Cold: For maximum fizz and the slowest melt, ensure your soda and your glasses are extremely cold. Chill the soda in the back of the fridge for at least 4 hours, and ideally, chill your serving glasses in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before assembly.
- The Right Soda Angle: Always tilt the glass when pouring the soda. Pouring the soda down the side helps control the foaming and gives you a creamier, less aggressive fizz.
- Use Hard Ice Cream: The ice cream must be frozen solid. Soft ice cream melts too quickly and results in a flat, watery drink rather than a thick, creamy float. Don’t be afraid to scoop it directly from the freezer!
- The Mint Layering Secret: If you want a more integrated mint flavor, you can crush your candy canes very finely and gently fold a tablespoon of the crushed candy into the vanilla ice cream just before scooping. This gives a beautiful mint ribbon effect and adds crunch throughout the whole drink.
- Make the Candy Crushing Easy: If you are crushing a large amount of candy, use a food processor to pulse the candy canes instead of a rolling pin. This ensures a uniform, fine texture, which is best for rimming glasses.
Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations
This float is delicious as is, but its simplicity makes it a fantastic canvas for holiday creativity.
Pairing and Presentation
- Mini Floats: For a large party, serve mini floats in small 4 oz jars or shot glasses. Use a dollop of ice cream and a splash of soda. Garnish with a tiny piece of candy cane attached to the rim.
- The Cookie Dipper: Serve the float alongside festive cookies like Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies or Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti. Use the float as a dip or an accompaniment.
- The Layered Look: Alternate scoops of vanilla ice cream with splashes of soda to create distinct layers of foam and creaminess in the glass.
Creative Holiday Variations
- The Chocolate Mint Float: Use Chocolate Soda (or cola) instead of cherry soda. Use chocolate ice cream and add a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top of the whipped cream. This provides a rich, dark contrast to the mint.
- Adult Espresso Float: Swap the soda for a pre-chilled mixture of cold brew coffee and a touch of creamer. Add a shot of Peppermint Schnapps or an aged rum to the bottom of the glass before adding the ice cream for a decadent, spiked Christmas treat.
- The White Christmas Float: Use clear Lemon-Lime Soda (like Sprite or 7UP) for the fizz. The flavor will be less dominant, and the color will be entirely white, allowing the red candy cane garnish to pop even more dramatically.
- Nutty Peppermint: Before sprinkling the crushed candy, add a drizzle of chocolate-hazelnut spread (like Nutella) to the rim of the glass for a rich, nutty backdrop to the mint flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this float ahead of time? No. Floats must be assembled immediately before serving to capture the optimal creamy, bubbly texture. The ice cream will melt, and the soda will go flat if prepared more than a few minutes in advance. The only part you can prep ahead is the crushed candy and chilling the glasses.
- What kind of soda works best for this float? For a red, festive color, we recommend cherry, strawberry, or even cranberry-flavored soda. If you want a clear color to let the white ice cream and red candy pop, use a lemon-lime soda. Avoid intensely colored sodas like dark cola if you want the red and white contrast to stand out.
- Can I use frozen yogurt or non-dairy ice cream? Absolutely. Any ice cream or frozen dessert base will work, but for the best, creamiest texture, use a full-fat, high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. If you use frozen yogurt, note that it may not froth up as much when the soda is added.
- Is there a way to make this float “lighter”? Yes. You can use diet soda (such as diet cherry or sugar-free cream soda) and a low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream. The texture will be slightly less rich and creamy, but the flavor and festive look will remain!
- How should I crush the candy canes for the best results? Place the candy canes in a heavy-duty zip-top bag and seal it, pressing out the air. Use a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet to gently tap the candy until it breaks into fine shards. Do not use a blender unless you are crushing a very large amount, as the blades can create a fine dust rather than desirable crunchy pieces.
This Tasty Peppermint Christmas Float is your ticket to a stress-free, dazzling holiday dessert. Enjoy the fizz and the festive cheer!
Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later and share your favorite old-fashioned holiday treat in the comments below!
Tasty Peppermint Christmas Float
This tasty peppermint Christmas float is a festive holiday drink made with peppermint ice cream, soda, and whipped cream. Refreshing, creamy, and perfect for holiday parties.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place 2 scoops of peppermint ice cream into each glass.
- Slowly pour soda over the ice cream until glasses are filled.
- Top with whipped cream.
- Garnish with crushed candy canes and chocolate syrup if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra holiday cheer, garnish with crushed candy canes or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Serve immediately for the best fizz and creaminess. Use lemon-lime soda or cream soda depending on preference.