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You guys, this right here was my first-ever float.
How I went my whole life without ever having a float I do not know, but man, have I been missing out.
Like why did no one ever tell me that I should order a float, or even just make one at home? I mean you only need two ingredients, a few more for these floats here, but I do believe you only need two ingredients to make a basic float. Soda and ice cream. To me that actually sounds kind of gross. I never drink soda/pop (not even growing up) and why would I pour liquid over my ice cream?
It didn’t really make sense.
Until now. Now I know why, because they taste amazing!
Up next, I have to try the classic root beer float. To be honest, I really don’t think I will like it since I don’t like pop, but I have to at least try it. And hey, it’s summer so why the heck not.
FYI, my new summer response to almost any good question is “why the heck not”! Did you notice that I said “good” question? The bad questions, things that I would not want to do, while I just shoot those down right away. Always have, always will.
Anyway, these floats were actually just meant to be regular margaritas, but then I couldn’t get the layering and the colors right. Basically, things just took a turn for the worst. So then I was stuck with a lot of sweet berry margaritas and it was only 10:30am. At this point I knew I needed to figure something else out. I thought about just scratching the entire thing, but then I remembered what I had been saying… while in my head (yup I totally talk to myself in my head – crazy person alert), that I wanted to try making ice cream floats.
So that is how I came around to making these floats!
Although they may not have been what I was originally thinking of for this 4th of July, I am all for an after meal treat (ie. desert) so they work!
Oh but…don’t just think that I only have one sweet thing for you this week. These were unplanned, but soon – so soon, I have something I made this weekend that I honestly am so excited about. Hint – it’s definitely All American…
Personally, I like this float margarita way more than a straight up margarita. For one, I am really not into drinking booze (which Is why I have included my nonalcoholic version in the recipe as well) so the ice cream helps to make the float a little less boozy. Two, these are just fun! You can even make the nonalcoholic version for your kids so that they can partake in the fun as well!! See, I am just looking out for everyone these days.
Oh and my eldest brother, who is a” drinks by the pool” kind of guy, said he would be all over these on a hot summer day.
Just so you know, Creighton knows his drinks…that means these are definitely a must make on Friday. Or maybe even today, to give the whole Fourth of July week a little kickstart. So what if it’s only Tuesday, remember…wait for it….
It’s summer!!
And anything goes!
Oh, oh and I didn’t mention this in the recipe, but if you do make these for the Fourth, the little fruit skewers are super fun. For the stars I used white peaches and just cut the insides out (and ate the scraps!). Then just layer them with blueberries and strawberries. Also, the margaritas can be made and kept in the fridge for a couple of days. Then just add the ice cream and soda when you are ready to serve. Perfect for any party!
Firecracker Berry Margarita Floats.
Servings: 6 Floats
Calories Per Serving: 232 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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Ingredients
Strawberry Margarita
- 1 cup strawberries chopped
- 1/3 cup sugar or honey
- 1 cup water
- 1/3-1/2 cup tequila I used 1/3 cup, use lemon-lime soda or lime-aid for a non-alcoholic version
- 2 tablespoons cointreau use orange juice for a non-alcoholic version
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice only use 1-2 tablespoons if making the non-alcoholic version
Blueberry Margarita
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/3 cup sugar or honey
- 1 cup water
- 1/3-1/2 cup tequila (again I used 1/3 cup) (lemon-lime soda or lime-aid for a non-alcoholic version)
- 2 tablespoons cointreau use orange juice for a non-alcoholic version
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice only use 1-2 tablespoons if making the non-alcoholic version
To make the floats
- salt for the rims
- 2-3 scoops per person of vanilla coconut ice cream or regular vanilla bean ice cream
- lemon-lime soda water
- fresh strawberries + blueberries
Instructions
- Combine the strawberries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and pour the mixture into a blender. Puree until smooth. Alternatively, you can strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pushing the juices out of the strawberries. Pour the mixture into a small juice jug and add the tequila (or lemon-lime soda), cointreau (or orange juice) and fresh lime juice. Cover and refrigerate until cold or until ready to use.
- Combine the blueberries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries soften, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and pour the mixture into a blender. Puree until smooth. Alternatively, you can strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pushing the juices out of the blueberries. Pour the mixture into a small juice jug and add the tequila (or lemon-lime soda), cointreau (or orange juice) and fresh lime juice. Cover and refrigerate until cold or until ready to use.
- To make the floats layer 1-2 tablespoons of strawberry margarita with a few fresh berries, 1 scoop of ice cream and 1-2 tablespoons blueberry margarita until your glass is almost full (but leave a little room at the top). Pour the soda water over top until it reaches the lip of the glass. ENJOY!
Notes
*The margaritas can be made and kept in the fridge for a couple of days. Then just add the ice cream and soda when you are ready to serve. Perfect for any party!
And really, these colors! I’m in love with them!
Is it summer yet? This looks amazing! Love the fruit skewer stirrer!
hehe! Thank you so much, Eden!! Hope summer comes soon! 🙂
I can’t believe you’ve never had a float before this. Crazy! I’m glad your first experience was with this amazing float. I’m totally drooling over it!
Thanks so much, Jocelyn! Hope you guys had a great long weekend!
This is gorgeous. I agree with Julie, it’s almost too pretty to drink. I say ‘almost’. Ha! I have never had an ‘adult’ float before. I am enchanted.
Hah! Thanks so much!
Happy 4th of July to you! Your float is the perfect way to the party in motion. Tieghan, I came over from Simply Fresh Dinners and really love your blog. Looking forward to keeping in touch. Take Care, BAM
Thank you so much! It means a lot and thanks for stopping over! 🙂
These look so good, just what I need by the pool on the 4th!
Thanks Laura! 🙂
What an awesome idea, Tieghan, they look incredible!!!
Thanks Matt!
This is by far the most beautiful float I have ever seen. Blueberry margaritas sound fabulous and I have no qualms about mixing alcohol and ice cream. Well done, my dear!
Thanks JUlia! And again, congrats on the book! 🙂