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Summer Float Party: The Ultimate Guide to Planning the Perfect Bash


  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Description

Cool off with these colorful and refreshing summer floats! Layers of raspberry, pineapple, and orange sherbet are topped with fizzy lemon-lime soda and your favorite garnishes for a delightful treat.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2-liter) bottle of your favorite lemon-lime soda, chilled
  • 1 (1.5-quart) container of raspberry sherbet
  • 1 (1.5-quart) container of pineapple sherbet
  • 1 (1.5-quart) container of orange sherbet
  • Fresh raspberries, for garnish
  • Fresh pineapple chunks, for garnish
  • Orange slices, for garnish
  • Maraschino cherries, for garnish
  • Whipped cream (optional)
  • Rainbow sprinkles (optional)
  • Paper umbrellas (optional, for a festive touch!)

Instructions

  1. Soften the Sherbet Slightly: Take the raspberry, pineapple, and orange sherbet containers out of the freezer about 15-20 minutes before you plan to assemble the floats. This will allow the sherbet to soften just enough to make it easier to scoop without turning into a soupy mess.
  2. Prepare Your Scooping Tools: Have your ice cream scoop (or a large spoon) ready. Dip the scoop into warm water between scoops to prevent sticking.
  3. Choose Your Glasses: Select tall glasses or mugs.
  4. First Layer: Raspberry Sherbet: Place one or two scoops of raspberry sherbet into the bottom of each glass (about 1/4 to 1/3 full).
  5. Second Layer: Pineapple Sherbet: Gently add one or two scoops of pineapple sherbet on top of the raspberry sherbet.
  6. Third Layer: Orange Sherbet: Add one or two scoops of orange sherbet on top of the pineapple sherbet.
  7. Pour the Lemon-Lime Soda: Slowly pour the chilled lemon-lime soda over the sherbet layers. Fill the glass to about 3/4 full.
  8. Let it Fizz: Allow the soda and sherbet to fizz and mingle for a few seconds.
  9. Add More Sherbet (Optional): Add another small scoop of each sherbet flavor on top of the soda.
  10. Whipped Cream (Optional): Add a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of each float.
  11. Fresh Fruit: Arrange fresh raspberries, pineapple chunks, and orange slices on top of the whipped cream (or directly on the sherbet).
  12. Maraschino Cherries: Add a maraschino cherry to the top of each float.
  13. Rainbow Sprinkles (Optional): Sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the whipped cream and fruit.
  14. Paper Umbrellas (Optional): Add a paper umbrella to each float.
  15. Serve Immediately: Serve the summer floats immediately after assembling them.

Notes

  • Experiment with different sherbet flavors (lime, mango, strawberry).
  • Try different sodas (ginger ale, cream soda, sparkling water).
  • Add a splash of juice (pineapple, orange, cranberry).
  • Make it boozy (vodka, rum, tequila – for adults only!).
  • Make it vegan (vegan sherbet and whipped cream).
  • Soften sherbet slightly ahead of time and return to freezer.
  • Prepare fruit ahead of time and store in refrigerator.
  • Chill the soda well.
  • If float is too soupy, sherbet was too soft or soda was too warm.
  • If float is overflowing, you’re adding too much soda.
  • If sherbet is hard to scoop, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes