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
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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)
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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).
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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
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Place all ingredients except ice cream in blender. Blend on low speed, then on high, until completely smooth. Set aside.
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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).
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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
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Place all ingredients except ice cream in blender. Blend on low speed, then on high, until completely smooth.
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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
Jessica Formicola says
August 14, 2018 at 3:05 pmWhat a fun idea! The perfect summer treat!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 15, 2018 at 6:57 amThank you, Jessica!
Pam says
August 14, 2018 at 3:35 pmSo simple, fresh and delicious. And, I love, love, love those milkshake glasses too. Very retro!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 15, 2018 at 6:56 amThanks! š
Chris Collins says
August 14, 2018 at 3:56 pmOh yum! these look so refreshing and delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe š
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 15, 2018 at 6:56 amYou’re welcome, Chris.
Stephanie says
August 14, 2018 at 4:27 pmDon’t know why I’ve never thought to make fruit floats. These look so refreshing and healthier then root beer floats.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 15, 2018 at 6:56 amThanks, Stephanie!
camila says
August 14, 2018 at 6:32 pmso refreshing and beautiful!! Perfect to cool down during summer, and relax by the pool!!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 15, 2018 at 6:56 amYes – wish we could have had them at the pool yesterday! š
Adriana Lopez Martin says
August 16, 2018 at 9:42 amIn love with this fruit float idea so yummy and a nice treat for everyone in the family. Using fruits allows for so many yummy and fun combinations. Your pictures are also mouthwatering!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 16, 2018 at 10:04 amThanks so much, Andriana!
Nicole says
August 17, 2018 at 1:02 pmI love ice cream floats! Had one with orange juice, vanilla ice cream and lemon sorbet in Germany during our last holiday. So refreshing!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 17, 2018 at 1:23 pmOh, that sounds amazing, Nicole!
Valerie says
August 17, 2018 at 1:21 pmMy Dad used to love root beer floats when I was young, I have great memories going out for them. I’d be up for trying the strawberry watermelon, I love those two fruits.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 17, 2018 at 1:22 pmYou’ll love them, Valerie! š
Gloria says
August 17, 2018 at 2:32 pmOMG it has been so hot and humid here for weeks. These are perfect for cooling down. I don’t eat ice cream often, but I would devour this for sure.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 17, 2018 at 5:20 pmSame here, Gloria! These are such a great treat when it’s so hot!
Claudia Lamascolo says
August 18, 2018 at 3:36 ammy brother has a tradition with his grand kids making root beer floats this is so cool ! I forgot about them havent had one in ages!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 19, 2018 at 4:43 amš
Sally@Good Dinner Mom says
August 18, 2018 at 7:55 amI love these recipes!! What a great, healthier way to have an ice cream float. Wonderful pictures, too. I think I want this for breakfast! Good job. š
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 19, 2018 at 4:42 amHey, some people do fruit and yogurt for breakfast so maybe fruit and ice cream isn’t that far off? š
Noel Lizotte says
August 18, 2018 at 8:37 amThese are so pretty! I love that it’s a cool way to get another serving of fruit into your diet. These sure don’t seem like they are anything but a delicious treat!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 19, 2018 at 4:41 amThanks so much, Noel!
Veena Azmanov says
August 18, 2018 at 8:58 amOh, how cool. Love these fruit float ideas now that we are burning up in the 40C. Living on cold drinks here so.. have to try this one.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 19, 2018 at 4:41 amHere too, Veena! Enjoy!
Nicolas Hortense says
August 19, 2018 at 1:59 amThanks for sharing 3 amazing ice-cream float recipes. I think the mango would be my favourite. It’s a shame I am seeing this post when it’s winter time where I am at. But I love how you shared such a simple but amazing process. Keep up the great work you’re doing (:
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 19, 2018 at 4:40 amThanks Nicolas. Stay warm! š
Marisa Franca says
August 19, 2018 at 8:28 amThis is the perfect summer treat. I love the idea of the addition of fruit to the ice cream float. It has been so hot here lately that a cold dessert would be so welcome. I know the grandsons have been practicing hard at their sports so this would be so inviting to them. Will have to make some for them.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 21, 2018 at 7:22 amThey’ll LOVE them, Marisa!
Celeste says
August 19, 2018 at 3:27 pmLooks so delicious and refreshing, perfect for the hot days we’re having here in Texas. The mango one is my favorite.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 21, 2018 at 7:21 amDefinitely! Especially since we’ve still got a couple more months of “summer” to go, right? š
Carmy says
August 19, 2018 at 5:07 pmI literally just had an ice cream float but yours here looks way better! I would have loved a mango orange float!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 21, 2018 at 7:21 amThe mango orange is my favorite – you should definitely try it some time!
Tammy says
August 20, 2018 at 12:46 amIrresistible indeed! These look so good! What a perfectly creamy, refreshing treat for the final days of summer. Wish I had one right now š
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 21, 2018 at 7:20 amThanks, Tammy!
Natalie says
August 20, 2018 at 5:37 amWow this is perfect to cool us down. We still have hot weather here. I’m loving this and I know my kiddo will be delighted too. Looks so flavorful! And FUN š
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 21, 2018 at 7:20 amYes, the kids love it! Enjoy, Natalie!
swathi says
August 20, 2018 at 7:50 amLove these fruit based ice cream floats my kids will love it, I like mango orange ice cream float a lot as mango is my favorite fruit.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 21, 2018 at 7:18 amYes, mango is one of my favorites too!
mydeliciousmeals says
August 20, 2018 at 8:00 pmThis is such a great idea, and is much healthier than traditional coke floats. I like to add ice cream to my coffee. I’m sure my kids would love THIS way of making ice cream floats, thanks for sharing!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 21, 2018 at 7:14 amI’m sure they’d love it!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
August 21, 2018 at 12:01 pmFRUIT and ice cream floats? I have only had floats with soda. I love your healthier version!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 23, 2018 at 7:31 amThanks, Cathleen! š
Anne says
August 21, 2018 at 4:26 pmso refreshing and beautiful – perfect for a summer treat!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 23, 2018 at 7:20 amThanks, Anne. š
Tina says
August 22, 2018 at 5:14 amWhat a fun recipe! This would cool me right off on a hot summer day.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 23, 2018 at 7:18 amIt definitely would!! š
Alisa Infanti says
August 22, 2018 at 5:32 amWhat a great idea! My son loves floats but having pop in them isnt’ always my favourite idea. But this…. this might be a game changer. Thanks for sharing this idea.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 23, 2018 at 7:18 amI hope he loves them, Alisa!
Jacqueline Debono says
August 23, 2018 at 4:33 amLove this idea. So perfect as a summer treat! Love the strawberry/watermelon combination!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
August 23, 2018 at 7:05 amThanks, Jacqueline -that one’s my daughter’s favorite!
Jo says
May 16, 2019 at 11:01 amSummer is almost here and I love summer for such amazing treats. Who can resist ice cream flouts and with so many options it’s a real treat.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
May 17, 2019 at 8:35 amThey are SUCH a fun treat! š
Roxana says
May 23, 2019 at 5:22 pmSuch nice recipes. I love ice cream and I am going to try this. Love all your flavor suggestions too.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
May 24, 2019 at 4:52 amThanks, Roxana.
Beth says
May 23, 2019 at 5:33 pmMy brain exploded when I saw this post!! I love floats and I know I will be enjoying these all summer long – so many options!
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
May 24, 2019 at 4:52 amYes – the flavor possibilities are endless! š
The Peasant's Daughter says
May 23, 2019 at 5:50 pmOk why didn’t think of this first? Ice cream AND fruit puree? Yeah I’m making this.
Dena @ Back To The Book Nutrition says
May 24, 2019 at 4:52 amHa, enjoy! š
Sharon says
May 23, 2019 at 5:50 pmI 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
May 24, 2019 at 4:51 amYes, kids go nuts for these! Hope you enjoy them too!
Sally says
May 23, 2019 at 5:56 pmThese 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
May 24, 2019 at 4:51 amGreat, Sally!