Turn your afternoon coffee into a dessert with this iced coffee float. It’s like a root beer float but for coffee lovers. With just two ingredients and one minute of prep, it’s the easiest summer treat you’ll make.
Quick Answer: An iced coffee float is cold brew or iced coffee topped with vanilla ice cream. Pour 8 oz cold coffee over ice, add 2 scoops ice cream, and serve immediately. The ice cream melts into the coffee creating a creamy, sweet drink.
What You Need
- 8 oz cold brew or strong iced coffee
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- Ice cubes
- Tall glass
- Optional: whipped cream, chocolate syrup
How to Make It
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour cold brew or iced coffee over ice, leaving about 2 inches at the top for ice cream.
Add two scoops of vanilla ice cream on top. The ice cream will start melting immediately, creating swirls of cream throughout the coffee. Serve with a spoon and straw so you can enjoy both drinking and eating this treat.
Flavor Variations
- Mocha Float: Use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla
- Caramel Float: Drizzle caramel sauce inside the glass before adding coffee
- Coffee Cookie Float: Add crushed chocolate cookies on top
- Hazelnut Float: Use hazelnut ice cream and add chopped hazelnuts
Best Coffee to Use
Cold brew works best because it’s smooth and less acidic than regular iced coffee. The sweetness of ice cream balances the bold coffee flavor perfectly. If using regular iced coffee, brew it double strength so it doesn’t taste watered down once the ice cream melts.
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This iced coffee float is perfect for hot summer afternoons when you want something sweet and caffeinated. Kids love them too if you use decaf coffee.