Strawberry Daiquiri Float Sparkling (Printer version)

Sweet strawberries and lime combine with creamy ice cream and bubbly water for a cool treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Strawberry Daiquiri Base

01 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 fluid ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
04 - 2 fluid ounces white rum, optional

→ Float

05 - 2 scoops vanilla ice cream or dairy-free alternative
06 - 1 cup chilled sparkling water

→ Garnish

07 - Fresh mint leaves
08 - Sliced strawberries
09 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a blender, combine strawberries, sugar, lime juice, and rum if using. Blend until smooth.
02 - Divide the strawberry mixture evenly between two tall glasses.
03 - Place one scoop of vanilla ice cream into each glass.
04 - Slowly pour chilled sparkling water over the ice cream and strawberry mixture until glasses are filled, allowing the float to foam gently.
05 - Top each glass with fresh mint leaves, a strawberry slice, and a lime wedge. Serve immediately with a straw and spoon.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like a dessert and a drink had the most refreshing love child, so you never feel guilty about having it for either.
  • Takes just ten minutes from decision to sipping, which means you can pull this together without abandoning your guests on the porch.
  • Works beautifully without the rum if you're hosting everyone from your yoga class to your college friends with various preferences.
02 -
  • If you forget to chill your sparkling water, the whole float collapses into warmish foam—I learned this the hard way and now keep an extra bottle in the freezer at all times.
  • Don't skip the fresh lime juice; bottled versions make the drink taste thin and chemical, which completely betrays the bright, fresh feeling you're trying to create.
  • The foam peak only lasts a few minutes, so assemble these right before you hand them over unless you want to explain to your guests why theirs looks deflated while yours still has that beautiful crown.
03 -
  • Frozen strawberries work beautifully if fresh ones aren't available—they're picked at peak ripeness and create an even smoother puree than fresh berries that have traveled.
  • The secret to perfect foam is pouring the sparkling water slowly and keeping everything incredibly cold; rushing either step deflates the magic instantly.
Return