If you’re craving a nostalgic treat that instantly lifts your spirits, the Shirley Temple Float Recipe is an absolute must-try. This delightful drink combines creamy vanilla ice cream with the sweet, fruity pop of grenadine and fizzy lemon lime soda to create a sparkling, refreshing float that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it at a sunny party or enjoying a cozy afternoon at home, the Shirley Temple Float Recipe brings charm, color, and a burst of joyful flavor with every sip and spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Shirley Temple Float Recipe lies in its simplicity, with just a few carefully chosen ingredients that come together to deliver creamy, sweet, and bubbly goodness. Each component plays a crucial role: the smooth vanilla ice cream adds rich creaminess, the grenadine gives a vibrant sweetness and beautiful pink hue, and the lemon lime soda provides that irresistible fizz and light citrus sparkle.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Use quality ice cream for a creamy texture that forms the perfect base.
- Grenadine: This sweet pomegranate syrup provides both flavor and the iconic rosy color.
- Lemon Lime Soda: Adds effervescent brightness that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Maraschino Cherries (optional): Classic garnish that gives a pop of color and extra sweetness.
- Lime Wedges (optional): A fresh twist of citrus complementing the soda’s flavors.
- Whipped Topping (optional): Adds a luscious, creamy crown to the float.
- Pink Sanding Sugar: For a fun, sparkling finishing touch on the rim or topping.
How to Make Shirley Temple Float Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Glass
Start by choosing a tall glass to hold your float. This allows your layers of flavors and colors to shine through. For an extra special touch, you can rim the glass with pink sanding sugar by moistening it first with a lime wedge.
Step 2: Add Vanilla Ice Cream
Scoop about 8 ounces (one cup) of rich vanilla ice cream directly into the glass. The creamy base is what transforms this from a simple drink into a dessert sensation.
Step 3: Drizzle with Grenadine
Slowly pour 1 ounce of grenadine over the ice cream, letting the syrup seep down and infuse the dessert with a beautiful rosy glow and sweet flavor.
Step 4: Pour Lemon Lime Soda
Gently add 8 ounces of chilled lemon lime soda over the ice cream and grenadine. Pour slowly to keep the layers distinct and enjoy the fizzy lift that lightens the float.
Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy
Top your float with a dollop of whipped topping, a bright maraschino cherry, and a slice of lime. Sprinkle some pink sanding sugar or sprinkles on top for an extra festive touch. Then grab a spoon and a straw and dive in!
How to Serve Shirley Temple Float Recipe
Garnishes
The right garnishes make the Shirley Temple Float Recipe even more playful and inviting. Maraschino cherries add cheerful bursts of sweetness, while lime wedges contribute fresh aroma and color contrast. Whipped topping creates a luscious, creamy cap that’s as fun to eat as it is to look at.
Side Dishes
Sweet floats are fabulous on their own, but pairing your Shirley Temple Float with light finger foods like buttery popcorn, soft pretzels, or even a box of chocolate-covered nuts elevates the experience perfectly. These accompaniments balance the sweetness and keep things interesting.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your floats in clear mason jars for a rustic vibe or in tall, elegant soda fountain glasses for a retro feel. Pink or striped straws add whimsy, and rimmed glasses coated with pink sanding sugar make every sip extra special. For a party, line up multiple floats on a tray garnished with colorful cherries and lime slices for a cheerful display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Shirley Temple Float Recipe is best enjoyed fresh to maintain the perfect fizz and texture. If you have leftovers, separate the components by storing soda and grenadine sealed in the fridge. Ice cream can be frozen again, but the float itself is not ideal for refrigeration once assembled.
Freezing
Because of the soda’s carbonation, freezing an assembled Shirley Temple Float Recipe is not recommended. However, you can freeze extra vanilla ice cream in individual portions so you’re always ready to whip up a float at a moment’s notice.
Reheating
This recipe isn’t designed for reheating since it’s best served cold and fizzy. If you want to re-create the experience later, simply restock your ingredients and build a fresh float. That way, every serving is as delightful as the first.
FAQs
Can I use different flavored ice cream in a Shirley Temple Float Recipe?
Absolutely! While vanilla ice cream is traditional and provides a creamy, neutral base, experimenting with flavors like cherry vanilla or lemon sherbet can add an exciting twist.
Is grenadine alcoholic?
Traditional grenadine is a sweet, non-alcoholic syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar, so it’s safe and tasty for all ages to enjoy in the Shirley Temple Float Recipe.
What’s the best soda to use?
Lemon lime soda is classic for this recipe because its zesty citrus flavor complements the grenadine and ice cream perfectly, but you can also try ginger ale or sparkling water for a different taste.
Can I make a Shirley Temple Float Recipe without soda?
While the soda adds fizz and lightness, you could substitute it with sparkling water or a lemon-lime sparkling beverage if you prefer a less sweet option, though it won’t be quite the same iconic float.
How can I make the float more festive for a party?
Use colorful straws, sprinkle edible glitter or sanding sugar on the whipped topping, and serve with fun garnishes like cocktail umbrellas or fresh fruit slices to create a festive presentation everyone will love.
Final Thoughts
The Shirley Temple Float Recipe is a timeless treat that sparkles with fun, flavor, and an undeniable sense of joy. It’s a simple creation that dazzles your taste buds and lifts your spirits with every creamy, fizzy spoonful. Whether for a special occasion or a casual afternoon pick-me-up, this float invites you to indulge in a little nostalgic magic. Give it a try, and watch it become your new favorite sweet escape!
Print
Shirley Temple Float Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
A classic Shirley Temple Float is a refreshingly sweet and fizzy non-alcoholic drink featuring creamy vanilla ice cream, vibrant grenadine syrup, and bubbly lemon-lime soda, garnished with cherries, lime wedges, and whipped topping for a nostalgic treat perfect for parties or any fun gathering.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces Vanilla Ice Cream (1 cup)
- 1 ounce Grenadine
- 8 ounces Lemon Lime Soda
Optional Garnishes
- Maraschino Cherries
- Lime Wedges
- Whipped Topping
- Pink Sanding Sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass: Choose a tall, clear glass to show off the colorful layers of your Shirley Temple Float.
- Add the Ice Cream: Spoon 8 ounces (about 1 cup) of vanilla ice cream into the bottom of the glass, creating a creamy base.
- Drizzle the Grenadine: Slowly pour 1 ounce of grenadine syrup over the ice cream to soak into it, providing a sweet, fruity flavor and vibrant red color.
- Pour Lemon-Lime Soda: Gently pour 8 ounces of chilled lemon-lime soda over the ice cream and grenadine, allowing it to fizz and mix without overflowing.
- Garnish the Float: Add a dollop of whipped topping on top, then garnish with a maraschino cherry, a fresh lime wedge, and a sprinkle of pink sanding sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and decoration.
- Serve Immediately: Insert a straw and a long spoon, then serve the float right away to enjoy the perfect balance of creamy, fizzy, and fruity flavors.
Notes
- Use full-fat vanilla ice cream for the creamiest texture, or low-fat for a lighter treat.
- Chilling your glass beforehand helps the float stay cold longer.
- Feel free to substitute lemon-lime soda with ginger ale for a slightly different flavor.
- The grenadine syrup can be homemade or store-bought; homemade tends to be less sweet and more flavorful.
- Adjust the quantity of grenadine for sweetness to taste.
