Cool and refreshing, this sparkling blueberry ice cream float recipe is sure to impress you. With a combination of blueberries, lemon, bourbon vanilla ice cream and a touch of lemon and lime, this will please your palate. It’s great for the kids as well as the grownups, and it’s easy to make. If you are looking for a frozen or fresh blueberry recipe idea, this is one to try. This sparkling blueberry float is always a summer drink hit!
This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
This sparkling blueberry float is made in two stages. The first stage is making the blueberry puree, for which you will need sugar, lime and water, along with the berries of course. This mixture can simmer away for several minutes to get nice and thick. You might need to give it up to ten minutes. This syrup is the backbone of this fresh blueberry recipe, so you’ll want to give it enough time to thicken up.
Don’t forget the water! If you do, you are going to end up with blueberry jam. That is very nice, of course, just not what we are going for here.
The syrup is then ready to use. Alternatively leave it in the refrigerator until you are ready. Now, it’s time to prepare the sparkling blueberry ice cream float. Add some of the blueberry puree into a pair of glasses, then top with frozen blueberries.
Next you can add ice, lemon, and finally the ice cream. As well as seltzer water. Club soda or carbonated water are pretty much the same, so use whichever you can find. Your sparkling blueberry float is now ready to enjoy!
I like to make an ice cream float recipe on hot summer days, but honestly this is great any time. Try this fresh blueberry recipe for breakfast or pair it with brunch. It’s also nice if you want a dessert but not necessarily something heavy. A sparkling blueberry ice cream float might be the dessert (or drink) you’ve been looking for!
Why Blueberries are Healthy
That’s right. Blueberries aren’t just yummy. They are nutritious as well. This fresh blueberry recipe is good for you. This berry is packed with antioxidants, in fact more than any other fruit.
They also give you fibre, Vitamins C and K, and manganese. They are also believed to reduce the risks of heart disease and high blood pressure. So, if you want a drink or dessert which offers health benefits and a great flavour, try a sparkling blueberry float.
If you make extra blueberry puree/syrup, there are other uses for it. You can enjoy it drizzled over ice cream, or add a little to iced tea or hot coffee, to add another layer of flavour. You can use it in cakes and cookies, and maybe find some more uses too.
Use your choice of fresh or frozen berries in this ice cream float recipe.
Sparkling Blueberry Float: Some Tips
This is such a special drink, it is worth taking extra care when preparing it. I like to serve this sparkling blueberry ice cream float in tall glasses, just because the layers are so pretty. I might add a sprig of mint for garnish, and a paper straw. This is a pretty drink which is perfect for a special occasion, when a plain glass of lemonade just won’t do!
Although I consider bourbon vanilla ice cream the best topping, plain vanilla would also work, or another creamy flavour. I bet butterscotch would be amazing!
You don’t need to stir this drink after making it. In fact it’s better not to. The ice cream will float on top (hence the name!) Then the syrup, because it’s thick, will sit at the bottom of this ice cream float recipe. The middle layer, which is mainly the ice and seltzer water offers a colourful contrast between the creamy colour on top and the dark syrup underneath.
Sprinkle some frozen (or fresh) blueberries on top just before serving, then enjoy. This drink is best enjoyed right after you prepare it, before the ice cream melts.
The great thing about this sparkling blueberry ice cream float is how special it is. You are making it completely from fresh, including the syrup base for the drink. That’s why this fresh blueberry recipe tastes so much superior to anything using an artificial syrup.
Making homemade blueberry syrup is so simple and you can experiment with other syrups too, using the same technique. Blueberries are in the same family as cranberries, so you could even try using those. Cranberries tend to be a little bitter though, so perhaps reduce the lemon and lime or increase the sugar.
You might also like Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Loaf or The Easy Way to Make Irish Cream Coffee.
Sparkling Blueberry Ice Cream Float Recipe
Sparkling Blueberry Ice Cream Float
Ingredients
Blueberry Purée
- 2 Cups blueberries frozen or fresh
- 1/3 Cup sugar
- 1/2 lime
- 1/2 Cup water
Blueberry Float
- 1 Cup sparkling water
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice a little more if needed
- 2 Scoops vanilla ice cream I used bourbon vanilla ice cream
- 1/3 Cup ice
Instructions
Blueberry Purée
- Place the blueberries, white sugar, juice of half lime and ½ cup of water into a skillet. Turn on heat to medium. Let mixture simmer for 5 minutes and stir constantly.
- Put the mixture in a food processor, process into puree and allow it to cool at room temperature. Refrigerate before serving.
Blueberry Float
- Fill base of two small glasses with some blueberry puree. Drop some frozen blueberries and crushed ice into the glasses.
- Pour over 1to 2 tbsp of lemon juice and sparkling water, stopping around 1 to 2 inches before the brim.
- Top each drink with 1 heaped scoop of bourbon vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Let me know if you try to make this sparkling blueberry ice cream float recipe. If you are looking for a frozen or fresh blueberry recipe idea, this is one to try. This sparkling blueberry float is always a summer drink hit!
If you are looking for another blueberry recipe, you might also like these Tasty Blueberry Pie Meringue Topped Squares.
I want to try this, but maybe with blackberries instead.
I would love this so much! It sounds amazing. I’ve always been big on floats.
I love blueberries one of my favorite fruits. This looks so refreshing saving the recipe.
This looks delicious and the pictures are so pretty! I will have to share with my daughter, who loves blueberries!
I like the idea, but I may try changing the sugar for stevia. Let’s see how is going.
I am a huge blueberry fan, this ice cream float looks absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to make it