Warm weather is officially here, and that means it’s time to swap out our steamy cups of coffee and hot chocolate for drinks that cool us down and make us smile. For me, an ice cream float is one of those quintessential summer drinks and I’ve been craving one lately.
Maybe it’s the creamy foam, the way the soda fizzes around the ice cream or the fact that it makes you feel like a kid again. Whatever it is, ice cream floats seem to be back (or maybe they never left), and they’re getting a serious upgrade.
I recently saw food blogger Mallory Austin (@badbatchbaking) take an ice cream float to the next level and I immediately took notice. It was a fizzy, frothy, almost milkshake-like drink and main ingredient was Dr Pepper. I had everything I needed to try it, so that’s exactly what I did. Here’s what happened when I made Whipped Dr Pepper at home.
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How to Make Whipped Dr Pepper
This drink is so easy. Start by freezing one can of Dr Pepper in an ice cube tray. Add the frozen soda to a blender with another can of cold Dr Pepper and 1/4 cup heavy cream and blend until frothy. Pour into a tall glass and top with a splash of Dr Pepper for a little more fizz. Finish with a generous amount of whipped cream.
In the caption, she added that you could use vanilla creamer instead of the heavy cream if you want a sweeter drink.
Related: These 19 Root Beer Brands Are What Ice Cream Float Dreams Are Made Of
What I Thought of Whipped Dr Pepper
Imagine the flavor of a cherry-vanilla cream soda, but silkier. The Dr. Pepper already has that unique, spiced cherry bite and when you freeze it and blend it with cream, you get this smooth, almost caramel-like flavor with a little edge to it. It’s not quite a milkshake and not quite an ice cream soda, but something in between.
The whipped cream on top adds a richness that slowly melts into the drink as you sip, and because the base is made of frozen soda cubes, it stays cold and slushy without getting watery. Every sip is just as flavorful as the first.
The texture is a huge part of the charm. Blending the soda cubes gives you a thick mixture that’s almost like an old-fashioned soda fountain treat. Think root beer float meets Italian cream soda meets diner milkshake, but without any ice cream required! It’s light, fizzy and satisfying.
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How to Make This Recipe Your Own
This method works with any soda you like. Try it with orange soda and a little vanilla extract for a creamsicle vibe, or freeze root beer into cubes and blend with cream and a hint of nutmeg for a fun twist on a root beer float. You could even try cream soda for something ultra-sweet and mellow.
For a party or BBQ, you can set up a whipped soda bar. Make ice cubes from a few different sodas ahead of time, have whipped cream and creamers on hand and let everyone blend their own. Kids can keep it simple with soda and whipped cream, while adults can add coffee creamer, flavored syrups or even a splash of something boozy.
Whether you’re just cooling off after a day in the sun or looking for a way to bring something fun and new to your next cookout, this whipped Dr Pepper is a total win!
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