It’s mid-October and Mother Nature cannot make up her mind. Some days are cool and crisp, others are warm and summery. Which makes it a perfect time to whip up these Apple Cider Ice Cream Floats! They’ve got all the flavors of fall like apples and cinnamon, but they still let us hold on to summer a little longer with cool and creamy ice cream.
They couldn’t be easier to make, and they will delight everyone in your house, both young and old.
What’s in these Apple Cider Floats
Five simple ingredients is all you’ll need to make these creamy, dreamy treats:
- vanilla ice cream
- cinnamon
- apple cider
- ginger beer
- whipped cream
We’re making cinnamon ice cream by combining softened vanilla ice cream with ground cinnamon. Aside from the time it takes to soften the ice cream, mix in the cinnamon and then re-freeze it, assembling these floats will only take a minute.
Ice cream or soda first in a float?
Put the ice cream in first when you’re making a float. Once the cinnamon ice cream is ready, just fill a sundae or pint glass to the top with generous scoops.
Then, pour in the apple cider and ginger beer. Top it with whipped cream and you’re done!
What exactly is ginger beer?
Ginger beer isn’t the kind of beer you’d first think of. Think of it more like root beer. Both beverages are derived from the root of a plant, both are non-alcoholic and both are carbonated. But that’s where their similarities end. In my opinion, root beer tastes like soda and ginger beer tastes like something much more awesome.
There are many different kinds of ginger beers on the market today, and they range from mildly sweet to almost spicy. Any kind you choose will add some festive bubbles to these Apple Cider Ice Cream Floats. It’s that trademark fizziness when the ice cream hits the bubbles that make a float, well, a float!
My advice – grab a six pack of your favorite brand and use what’s left to make Thanksgiving Moscow Mules next month.
If you have any cinnamon ice cream left over, rejoice! Scoop it on top of your favorite fall pies and cakes, or enjoy it by itself with a drizzle of caramel sauce. There’s nothing better this time of year. Enjoy!
For more festive drink recipes, try these:
For more fall recipes, try these:
- Apple Butter Cranberry Muffins with Streusel Topping
- Pumpkin Cheddar Lager Mac and Cheese
- Herby Tortellini with Roasted Mushrooms
Apple Cider Ice Cream Floats
Ingredients
- 1.5 quart vanilla ice cream
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 12 oz. ginger beer
- 1 quart apple cider
- whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Place the ice cream in a mixing bowl and allow to soften at room temperature. Stir in the cinnamon. Cover and refreeze.
- Scoop the ice cream to the top of a sundae or pint glass. Fill a measuring cup with 2/3 cup apple cider, then 1/3 cup ginger beer. Give it a gentle stir.
- Pour the apple cider mixture into the glass. Top with whipped cream.
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