These irresistible ice cream floats combine rich vanilla ice cream with super sweet purees of fresh summer fruit, and only take 5 minutes to make. They’re so refreshing, you’ll never go back to root beer floats again!
When it comes to summer desserts, this one is at the top of my list! There’s just nothing like the combination of super sweet fruit and rich, creamy vanilla ice cream!
Once you’ve had it, you’ll never go back to boring coke floats and root beer floats again!
Plus, the all natural fruit purees have vitamins, minerals, some fiber, and tons of antioxidants, so they’re healthier than other ice cream floats too!
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How to Make Irresistible Fruit and Ice Cream Floats
Chop your fruit and blend until smooth. The pour over ice cream (I love serving them in these milkshake glasses!) and top with an extra scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprig of mint if you’d like.
You can blend just about any combination of fruits you like together, and the vanilla ice cream can even be subbed out for another flavor if you really want to get creative. These are super flexible and lightening fast, coming together in just 5 minutes or so per flavor!
Tips for Making the Best Fruit and Ice Cream Floats
- It’s best if you can chill your fruit in advance. Room temperature fruit will work, but it will cause the ice cream to melt faster.
- Puree the fruit blends until completely smooth. This is a cinch in my Vitamix – if you have a lower powered blender, start on low then gradually increase to high speed until the fruit mixture is silky smooth.
- If you’re trying out other fruits, choose those with strong flavors to contrast the creamy vanilla ice cream.
- If you’re making multiple flavors of fruit purees at once, transfer each to a glass jar and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use. Also note that the 5 minute prep time will increase the more flavors you make.
- Keep your ice cream frozen until the last minute!
- Coconut milk ice cream works well if you need a dairy free option.
A fruity twist on the classic ice cream float. Fresh squeezed orange juice and mango chunks are blended together and added to rich vanilla ice cream.
- 2 cups fresh mango, cut into chunks (about 3 medium mangoes) (or frozen)
- 1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup water (more/less as needed)
- vanilla ice cream
Place all ingredients except ice cream in blender. Blend on low speed, then on high, until completely smooth. (You may want to start with 1/4 cup water and add more gradually as needed to get a thick liquid consistency)
Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into each glass (I use 3-4 glasses depending on how big I want each float to be).
Pour mango-orange puree over the ice cream in each glass, leaving room at the top of the glasses to add one extra scoop of ice cream if desired.
- The fruit puree can be stored in the fridge for several days.
- Frozen mango can be used in place of fresh and prepared orange juice in place of fresh squeezed.
- Feel free to try other ice cream flavors - coconut would be a great flavor compliment!
A fruity twist on the classic ice cream float. Fresh summer blueberries and pineapples are blended together and added to rich vanilla ice cream.
- 2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen)
- 1 cup fresh pineapple (or canned, drained)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- ice cream
Place all ingredients except ice cream in blender. Blend on low speed, then on high, until completely smooth. Set aside.
Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into each glass (I use 3-4 glasses depending on how big I want each float to be).
Pour blueberry-pineapple puree over the ice cream in each glass, leaving room at the top of the glasses to add one extra scoop of ice cream if desired.
- The fruit puree can be stored in the fridge for several days.
- Frozen/canned fruit can be used in place of fresh.
- Feel free to try other ice cream flavors - mango ice cream might be a good compliment to the blueberry-pineapple flavors!
A fruity twist on the classic ice cream float. Fresh strawberries and watermelon are blended together and added to rich vanilla ice cream.
- 2 cups watermelon cubes
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, green tops removed
- vanilla ice cream
Place all ingredients except ice cream in blender. Blend on low speed, then on high, until completely smooth.
Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into each glass (I use 3-4 glasses depending on how big I want each float to be).
Pour mango-orange puree over the ice cream in each glass, leaving room at the top of the glasses to add one extra scoop of ice cream if desired.
- The fruit puree can be stored in the fridge for several days.
- Frozen strawberries can be used in place of fresh.
- Feel free to try other ice cream flavors - banana ice cream might be a good compliment to the watermelon-strawberry combo!
Here are a few other favorite summer desserts!
Gluten Free Blueberry Peach Tart
Double Chocolate Squash Muffins with Ancient Grain Flour
Sharon says
I love the idea of having a different type of float than root beer. These look so good! I bet kids love them.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
Yes, kids go nuts for these! Hope you enjoy them too!
Sally says
These look amazing! Gonna have to try them this summer – I’m sure my kids will love them too! I’m a big fan of real food, and these fit the bill.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
Great, Sally!