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This blueberry ice cream float is a refreshing summer treat made with blueberries, lemon, lime, and creamy vanilla ice cream. It looks fancy, tastes amazing and takes just minutes to prepare. A homemade blueberry purée forms the fruity base, while sparkling water adds a crisp bite. Finished with a scoop of ice cream, this easy float is perfect for warm days, casual get-togethers or any time you want something cold and sweet. It looks pretty and tastes refreshing and delicious.
This blueberry ice cream float blends fruity blueberry purée, a sparkling citrus base and creamy vanilla ice cream into a sweet and refreshing dessert-like drink.
Also try raspberry hazelnut cookies, blueberry cream pie and berry pavlova. Raspberry truffles and blueberry cream cheese muffins are great too.
Why You’ll Love It
Fast and easy: Simple ingredients and quick prep make this a great last-minute treat.
Fruity and fizzy: The combo of blueberry and sparkling water is light and refreshing.
Fun to serve: Great for parties, summer meals or a sweet ending to dinner.
Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, ice cream or fruit to suit your taste.
Blueberry Ice Cream Float Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Blueberries: Fresh or frozen berries create a naturally sweet and vibrant purée.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the tartness of the berries and lime.
Lime: Enhances the berry flavor and adds a bit of tart zing.
Sparkling water: Adds refreshing fizz to each glass.
Lemon juice: Brightens the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Vanilla ice cream: Creamy and rich, it adds smooth texture and mellow flavor.
Ice: Keeps everything extra cold and refreshing.
How to Make Ice Cream Floats with Blueberries
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the purée: Simmer the blueberries, sugar, lime juice and water, then blend until smooth.
Chill the purée: Cool the mixture to room temperature, then refrigerate.
Prepare the glasses: Add blueberry purée, frozen berries and crushed ice.
Add the fizz: Pour in lemon juice and sparkling water.
Top with ice cream: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each float and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Use soda water: Replace sparkling water with lemon-lime soda for extra sweetness.
Swap lime for lemon: If you prefer lemon juice, use that in the blueberry puree instead of lime.
Different fruit: Try raspberries or blackberries for a variation on the purée.
Non-dairy option: Use plant-based ice cream for a vegan version.
Serving Suggestions
After a meal: Anything from grilled BBQ chicken salad to penne rosa pasta or General Tso shrimp stir fry would be good.
With a blueberry dessert: You can pair it with some blueberry cheesecake ice cream or watermelon blueberry sparklers.
How to Store Blueberry Ice Cream Floats
Store: As these have to be served immediately (otherwise the ice cream and ice cubes will melt) it’s best to only prepare as much as you need. However, you can make the blueberry puree ahead and keep it refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Top Tips
Don’t skip chilling: The purée tastes better cold and blends smoothly.
Use crushed ice: It keeps the drink cold and helps the flavors mix better.
Taste and adjust: Add more lemon juice if you prefer a tangier finish.
Serve immediately: The ice cream melts fast, so prep just before serving.
Blueberry Ice Cream Floats FAQs
Plain or lightly flavored sparkling water works best in this sparkling blueberry float to avoid overpowering the blueberry flavor.
You can enjoy it drizzled over ice cream, or add a little to iced tea or hot coffee, to add another layer of flavor. You can use it in cakes and cookies, and maybe find some more uses too.
Blueberry Ice Cream Float Recipe
Blueberry Ice Cream Float
Ingredients
For the Blueberry Purée
- 2 Cups blueberries, frozen or fresh
- ⅓ Cup granulated sugar
- ½ lime
- ½ Cup water
For the Blueberry Float
- 1 Cup sparkling water
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Scoops vanilla ice cream, I used bourbon vanilla ice cream
- ⅓ Cup ice
Instructions
Make the Blueberry Purée
- Add all the blueberries except a few (save them for garnish) to a saucepan with the white sugar, juice of ½ lime and ½ cup of water. Turn on heat to medium then let mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Put the mixture in a food processor, process into puree and allow it to cool at room temperature. Refrigerate before serving.
Assemble the Blueberry Float
- Fill base of 2 small glasses with some blueberry puree. Drop some frozen blueberries and crushed ice into the glasses.
- Pour over 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and sparkling water, stopping 1 to 2 inches before the brim.
- Top each drink with a heaped scoop of vanilla ice cream, garnish with a few blueberries and serve right away.
Notes
Use crushed ice: It keeps the drink cold and helps the flavors mix better.
Taste and adjust: Add more lemon juice if you prefer a tangier finish.
Serve immediately: The ice cream melts fast, so prep just before serving.
Nutrition
A blueberry ice cream float is the kind of treat that looks great and tastes even better. With only a few ingredients and quick prep, it’s perfect for summer parties or quiet moments on the patio. Whether you’re a fan of fruity desserts or just want something cold and creamy, this citrusy blueberry ice drink delivers on all fronts. Keep the purée on hand and you’ll always be ready to whip up this easy sparkling blueberry float.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I am a huge blueberry fan, this ice cream float looks absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to make it
I like the idea, but I may try changing the sugar for stevia. Let’s see how is going.
This looks delicious and the pictures are so pretty! I will have to share with my daughter, who loves blueberries!
I love blueberries one of my favorite fruits. This looks so refreshing saving the recipe.
I would love this so much! It sounds amazing. I’ve always been big on floats.
I want to try this, but maybe with blackberries instead.