Easy & Festive Eggnog Ice Cream Floats: Your 3-Ingredient Holiday Drink Sensation
Prepare to have your holiday beverage traditions revolutionized with these incredibly simple yet utterly luxurious eggnog floats. Crafted with just three essential ingredients – rich eggnog, bubbly club soda, and creamy vanilla ice cream – each sip delivers a dreamy combination that’s both comforting and exhilarating. This delightful concoction is destined to become a beloved staple for your festive gatherings, offering a unique twist on classic eggnog that appeals to all ages. Get ready for a taste experience that will truly change the way you enjoy eggnog forever!
Why These Eggnog Ice Cream Floats Are a Must-Try
These eggnog floats aren’t just creamy and delicious; they offer a delightfully unexpected twist that elevates the traditional holiday beverage. The secret lies in the elegant dance between the rich eggnog, the effervescent club soda, and the smooth vanilla ice cream. The light fizziness from the club soda is crucial; it helps create that iconic, frothy foam we all adore on top of a classic soda float, without overpowering or altering the signature texture and taste of the eggnog. Instead, it adds a refreshing lift, making each spoonful or sip even more engaging.
The vanilla ice cream acts as the perfect binding agent, melding all the flavors into a cohesive and indulgent experience. It not only contributes to the unparalleled creaminess but also provides a nostalgic, classic float sensation. This recipe truly works because it takes a beloved holiday drink, simplifies its preparation to just three steps, and transforms it into an exciting, bubbly, and utterly satisfying treat that’s perfect for any festive occasion. It’s a simple innovation that yields a truly spectacular result, ensuring everyone at your table will be asking for a second glass.
Simple Ingredients for the Best Eggnog Floats
The beauty of these festive eggnog ice cream floats lies in their simplicity, requiring just a handful of ingredients you can easily find. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, make sure to check out the printable recipe card at the conclusion of this article.
Ingredient Information & Creative Substitutions
Let’s dive deeper into the stars of this show and explore how you can customize your eggnog float experience.
EGGNOG – This rich, creamy, and spiced holiday beverage is undoubtedly the centerpiece of our floats. Feel free to use your absolute favorite store-bought brand – whether it’s a premium, extra-creamy variety or your go-to budget-friendly option. For an even more personal and satisfying touch, consider preparing your own homemade eggnog. This allows you to control the sweetness and spice levels perfectly. Don’t be shy about experimenting with flavored eggnogs either! Seasonal varieties like pumpkin spice, peppermint mocha, or cinnamon-infused eggnog can add an exciting new dimension to your float. For those with dietary restrictions, many excellent dairy-free eggnog alternatives are now available, ensuring everyone can enjoy this festive treat.
CLUB SODA – What truly defines a float is that delightful effervescence, and club soda provides the ideal bubbly touch. Its neutral flavor is key, as it enhances the lightness of the drink without competing with or overpowering the rich taste of the eggnog. More importantly, the carbonation in club soda reacts beautifully with the ice cream, helping to create that signature frothy, foamy layer that floats are famous for. If you don’t have club soda on hand, or prefer a slightly different flavor profile, ginger ale makes an excellent substitute, adding a subtle warmth and spice that complements the eggnog wonderfully. You could also use plain sparkling water for a less sweet option, allowing the eggnog to shine even more.
ICE CREAM – Classic vanilla ice cream is the traditional choice for a reason – its smooth, sweet simplicity is the perfect foil for the spiced eggnog. Just like with the eggnog, choose your favorite quality brand to ensure the best flavor. However, don’t limit yourself! Consider other ice cream flavors for adventurous twists: cinnamon or nutmeg ice cream for amplified spice, coffee or caramel for a richer depth, or even an eggnog-flavored ice cream for an eggnog explosion! For dairy-free versions, vanilla or other compatible dairy-free ice creams work perfectly.
Crafting Your Perfect Eggnog Floats: A Simple Guide
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this delightful recipe. If you’re ready to jump straight to the full, printable version complete with all measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
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Pour the Eggnog: Begin by filling a large glass, such as a hurricane glass or a sturdy pint glass, halfway with your chosen eggnog. This creates the creamy base for your float.
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Add Ice Cream and Club Soda: Gently place generous scoops of vanilla ice cream directly over the eggnog. Then, carefully and slowly fill the remainder of the glass with club soda. Pouring slowly helps to create that wonderful foam and prevents over-foaming.
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Garnish and Serve: For an extra festive touch, swirl a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of the float. Scatter some colorful sprinkles, a dusting of ground nutmeg or cinnamon, or even a few white chocolate chips for added flair. Pop in a charming straw and serve your glorious eggnog float immediately to enjoy its fizzy, creamy perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Floats
Absolutely! For adults, transforming these floats into a boozy holiday treat is highly recommended. A splash of your favorite rum – especially dark or spiced rum – works beautifully, adding warmth and depth that complements the eggnog’s spice profile. Brandy or bourbon are also excellent choices for a more classic pairing. If you’re looking for a more elaborate boozy eggnog creation, hop over to our dedicated eggnog cocktail recipe, which is specifically designed around incorporating various liqueurs into eggnog for a truly festive drink experience.
For the best presentation and drinking experience, we recommend using a tall glass with a wide opening. Hurricane glasses, soda fountain glasses, or large pint glasses work wonderfully. Their height allows for plenty of delicious layers, from the creamy eggnog to the generous scoops of ice cream and the frothy club soda, plus ample space for garnishes.
Eggnog floats are best enjoyed immediately after preparation. The fizzy reaction between the club soda and ice cream, along with the ideal creamy texture, is at its peak when freshly made. If you try to make them ahead, the ice cream will melt, and the club soda will lose its carbonation, resulting in a less appealing, flat drink. However, you can prep your ingredients by chilling the eggnog and club soda thoroughly and having your ice cream ready for scooping!
Serving Suggestions & Presentation Tips
These eggnog ice cream floats are delightful on their own, but a few thoughtful touches can elevate them even further, making them perfect for any holiday celebration or cozy winter evening.
As mentioned, for an adult-only indulgence, consider making a spiked eggnog float by adding a generous splash of rum, brandy, or bourbon. The warmth of the alcohol beautifully complements the spiced eggnog and creamy vanilla. For presentation, don’t shy away from garnishes. A towering swirl of whipped cream is almost mandatory, offering an extra layer of decadence. Top it with a delicate dusting of freshly ground cinnamon or nutmeg to highlight the traditional holiday flavors. Colorful sprinkles, festive sugar crystals, or even white chocolate shavings can add a touch of sparkle and visual appeal, especially for younger guests. A whimsical striped or themed straw completes the festive look.
Eggnog floats are truly a standout for holiday parties, adding a unique and memorable beverage option to your spread. Take full advantage of the season while eggnog is readily available in stores. However, if you find yourself craving this creamy, fizzy delight outside the holiday season, remember that you can always whip up your own homemade eggnog year-round. This means there’s no limit to when you can enjoy these fantastic floats – they’re perfect for birthdays, summer gatherings, or simply as a comforting treat on a quiet afternoon. Always serve them immediately and chilled for the best experience!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Eggnog Floats
Beyond their ease of preparation and festive appeal, there are countless reasons why these eggnog floats will quickly become a cherished recipe in your repertoire. Firstly, they offer a playful take on a classic holiday beverage, making eggnog more accessible and exciting for those who might typically shy away from it. The combination of creamy, sweet, and bubbly textures creates an irresistible sensory experience that’s both refreshing and indulgent.
Secondly, these floats are incredibly versatile. Whether you’re hosting a large holiday party, enjoying a quiet family evening, or simply treating yourself, they fit every occasion. They’re easily scalable, so you can make a single serving or a large batch to impress your guests. Furthermore, the ability to customize with different eggnog flavors, ice cream varieties, or even a splash of spirits ensures that each float can be tailored to individual preferences, making them a personal and delightful experience every time. The visual appeal alone, with the frothy top and vibrant garnishes, makes them a showstopper. Get ready to enjoy a new kind of holiday magic!
More Delightful Holiday Recipes to Explore
Looking for more festive inspiration? Here are some other cherished holiday recipes from our kitchen that you and your loved ones are sure to adore:
- Irresistible Eggnog Cookies
- Classic Homemade Eggnog Cocktail
- Easy Crockpot Hot Chocolate
- Warm & Spiced Hot Cranberry Punch
I absolutely adore spending time in the kitchen, creating and sharing delicious recipes and culinary experiences with all of you! Remembering to visit every day for new ideas can be a challenge, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter delivering a fresh recipe directly to your inbox with every new post. Simply subscribe today and start receiving your free daily recipes to inspire your cooking adventures!
Eggnog Ice Cream Floats
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Course:
Beverages
Cuisine:
American
1 float
497
Amanda Davis
Ingredients
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1 cup eggnog -
½ cup club soda -
2 scoops vanilla ice cream -
whipped cream optional as garnish -
ground nutmeg or cinnamon optional as garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Hurricane glasses or other large serving glass
Before You Begin
- Use your favorite brand of eggnog. You can even make your own homemade eggnog for these floats. Feel free to substitute with flavored eggnog such as pumpkin spice, peppermint mocha, cinnamon, the list goes on and on.
- Club soda works well because the flavor isn’t overpowering and still lets the eggnog flavor shine. It also helps create the top foamy layer a typical float always has. You can substitute with ginger ale if preferred.
Instructions
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Fill a glass halfway with the eggnog.
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Place the vanilla ice cream overtop of the eggnog and then carefully fill the glass with the club soda.
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Swirl on some whipped cream and scatter on some sprinkles, if desired, before adding a cute straw and serving immediately.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- For the adults, a splash of rum or brandy would make a great addition to eggnog floats.
- Optionally top with whipped cream, sprinkles, white chocolate chips, or sugar crystals as garnish. Serve cold.
Nutrition
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