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    Home / Recipes / Course / Dessert

    7 Jun 11, 2015 Dessert  |   Jump to Recipe

    St. Germain Ice Cream Float

    I’m keeping things short and sweet today.

    St. Germain Ice Cream Float

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    This ice cream float has been… floating around in the back of mind for almost two years now.  Back in August 2013, Jorge and I were exploring the Seattle food scene when we came upon Hot Cakes, a small restaurant that specializes in boozy milkshakes and molten chocolate cakes.  There were so many tasty things on the menu (including a St. Germain Float), and we wanted to order all of them!  Unfortunately, stomach space was minimal (we just had dinner), and the St. Germain Float option was trumped by an Extra-Dark Caramel Milkshake, a shake that I later recreated at home.

    As we were leaving Hot Cakes that evening, I asked a waitress what was in the St. Germain Float, and she replied, “A scoop of vanilla ice cream with a shot of St. Germain poured over.”  Seems simple enough right?  Well I tried this at home, and it was delicious, but I don’t think I would really call it a float.  Where was the soda?  The bubbles?  With a few simple additions, I finally landed on this recipe.

    Made with just 4 ingredients, my St. Germain Ice Cream Float starts with a mix of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh lemon juice and sparkling water.  A makeshift elderflower soda if you will.  The lemon balances out the sweetness of the liqueur while the bubbly provides a refreshing snap.  To finish, drop in a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy.  So simple.  SO delicious.  The pairing of elderflower and vanilla just works in all the right ways.  Continue reading for the recipe.

    Float Ingredients

    I’m curious: what’s your favorite brand of vanilla ice cream?  Vanilla ice cream is actually a favorite of mine.  A really good one has a nuanced vanilla flavor that blooms on that palate as you eat it.  I’m currently obsessed with Trader Joe’s French Vanilla, but I also enjoy Haagen Dazs.  The versatility of vanilla is also something I really like.  Buy one tub, and you can switch up the toppings nightly.  Toasted nuts; salted caramel sauce; curry powder and ginger syrup; honey and nut butter; olive oil and sea salt; and so on.  So many options!

    St. Germain Ice Cream Float

    St. Germain Ice Cream Float

    by Brandon Matzek
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 1 float

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) chilled St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
    • 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) freshly squeeze lemon juice
    • 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) chilled sparkling water
    • 1 big scoop of good-quality vanilla ice cream

    Instructions
     

    • To a chilled 8 ounce glass, add St. Germain, lemon juice and sparkling water, gently stirring to combine. Carefully drop in a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy immediately!
    Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

    Here are some other St. Germain and ice cream recipes on Kitchen Konfidence perfect for summer!

    Raspberry Apricot Jam

    Raspberry Apricot Jam

    St. Germain Raspberry Sauce

    Meyer Lemon Coeur à la Crème with Raspberry Sauce

    St. Germain and Champagne

    St. Germain and Champagne

    Blueberry Ice Cream with Oat Crumble Topping

    Blueberry Ice Cream with Oat Crumble Topping

    Vanilla Ice Cream with Curry Powder and Ginger Syrup

    Vanilla Ice Cream with Ginger Syrup and Curry Powder

    Strawberry Bourbon Ice Cream

    Strawberry Bourbon Sauce Swirl

    7
    Brandon and Federico
    Brandon

    I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!

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    Categories: Dessert Tags: lemon, sparkling water, St. Germain, vanilla ice cream

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jeff Parker says

      June 11, 2015 at 9:57 am

      Sounds pretty amazing! Cheers

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 11, 2015 at 10:29 am

        Thanks Jeff!

        Reply
    2. val says

      June 11, 2015 at 10:39 am

      Perfect timing, as I just bought a bottle of St. Germain for strawberry preserves.
      I am a Breyers natural vanilla girl!

      Reply
    3. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

      June 12, 2015 at 4:50 am

      Your version sounds so delicious! What an interesting float – a real conversation starter!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 12, 2015 at 6:34 am

        Thanks Shashi! It’s different, but very tasty 🙂

        Reply
    4. Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says

      June 12, 2015 at 7:05 am

      5 stars
      So simple and yet so genius. The heat has already arrived here in Phoenix, but these floats will be the perfect fix for it!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 12, 2015 at 7:57 am

        Thanks Chrisy! This will surely cool things off 🙂

        Reply
    5. Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says

      June 12, 2015 at 7:06 am

      I love a good boozy float – this looks like a delicious combination!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 12, 2015 at 7:58 am

        Me too! Thanks Ashely!

        Reply
    6. Lydia @Suitcase Foodist says

      June 12, 2015 at 12:20 pm

      Ohhhhhh… This just might be the recipe that tips my hand at buying a bottle of St Germain. I was literally in the liquor store earlier today trying to decide between Aperol and St Germain. Aperol and the promise of an Aperol Spritz won out, but now I might be making another trip back to the store.

      Kudos on a lovely recipe.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 12, 2015 at 12:26 pm

        Do it!!! I love St. Germain (and Aperol!). So tasty. Thanks Lydia!

        Reply
    7. Ashley (QLCC) says

      June 13, 2015 at 12:04 am

      I looove your photography! I need to add St. Germain to my little bar cart. So delish. Once I do, I;ll try this float!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 13, 2015 at 6:53 am

        Thanks Ashley :)! And yes, definitely get a bottle. So versatile and delicious.

        Reply
    8. Des @ Life's Ambrosia says

      June 13, 2015 at 12:55 am

      How is it that I live in Seattle and have never been or heard of Hot Cakes?!? I need to get out more 🙂 Also, my favorite vanilla ice cream by far is Tillamook. My favorite ice cream ever is Tillamook Fireside S’mores. All kinds of amazing.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 13, 2015 at 6:54 am

        Oooooo, I’ve yet to try Tillamook vanilla, but I want to now! And yeah, definitely give Hot Cakes a try. It’s in Ballard.

        Reply
    9. Barrett @dirtylaundrykitchen.com says

      June 13, 2015 at 5:55 am

      This is a great use of St. Germain. And it you want to keep the cost down, check this out: http://www.dirtylaundrykitchen.com/thriftyspendy-alterations/ I love ikea.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 13, 2015 at 6:56 am

        Excellent suggestion! I’ve seen that at ikea, but I haven’t tried it yet. A friend also introduced me to a $20 elderflower liqueur that was reeeeally tasty. I can’t remember the name though.

        Reply
    10. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

      June 14, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      Ahhh, I can just imagine serving this beverage at my local Rexall Drug Store in the 1950s (when I was growing up). But instead of ordering my usual Root Beer Float, it would have been, “May I please have a St Germain Float?” I’m sure our society would have turned out more genteel if we had had access to your St Germain Float back then!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 15, 2015 at 1:09 pm

        Well said 🙂 Thanks Fran!

        Reply
    11. Sippitysup says

      June 15, 2015 at 12:46 pm

      I’m a vanilla fan too, so this float sounds like the one I’d have chosen if I had been with you in Seattle. GREG

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 16, 2015 at 2:40 pm

        Glad I’m not the only vanilla fan! Chocolate usually wins out.

        Reply
    12. Gordana says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:24 am

      I like your recipes and blog…..i started my food blog some months ago, i hope in the future it will be successful like yours….

      Reply
    13. Liz Schmitt says

      June 16, 2015 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      I am a vanilla ice cream fan myself and have never tried TJ’s – addicted to Dreyer’s Slow Churned…Your drink looks dangerously fabulous!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        June 16, 2015 at 2:39 pm

        Thanks Liz!! I’ll have to give Dreyer’s a try!

        Reply
    14. pam (Grey is the New Black) says

      June 17, 2015 at 12:47 pm

      I would love it if you would link this up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black! I love St. Germain and can’t wait to try this!

      Reply
    15. Megan Keno says

      June 17, 2015 at 10:15 pm

      Excited to try this!

      Reply
    16. Susan says

      June 18, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      I’m not one for floats but when it’s boozed involved my mind changes quickly. Really like the refreshing nature of the lemon and elderflower with vanilla ice cream. Cheers!

      Reply
    17. Liren says

      June 18, 2015 at 8:24 pm

      TJ’s is my absolute favorite vanilla yogurt! I would have never thought to make a float with St. Germain but this is seriously genius. Hope you’re having a great trip so far!

      Reply
    18. Cynthia/what a girl eats says

      June 18, 2015 at 10:15 pm

      What a delightful sounding dessert/drink! I’m with you in the TJ’s French Vanilla ice cream. Perhaps it could be trumped by Hagen Das or Dreyers, but for convienience, I always had a tub of it in my freezer. You’re right, you can satisfy almost any craving with vanilla!

      Reply
    19. [email protected] says

      June 19, 2015 at 11:00 am

      This sounds so good, my brother in law would go crazy over it. I’ll have to make it for him asap!

      Reply
    20. Carol Borchardt says

      June 20, 2015 at 1:22 pm

      Just perfect on a summer day! Gorgeous photos!

      Reply
    21. Matt @ Plating Pixels says

      June 21, 2015 at 11:39 pm

      This looks awesome! I just did bear floats with a very particular flavor of ice cream with my Dad last night. Once it melts in it’s so good! Now I need to make again and photograph. Sometimes it’s tough being a food blogger 😉

      Reply
    22. Elizabeth | the bare midriff says

      July 10, 2015 at 7:05 am

      5 stars
      Oh good gracious YES this is everything! Cheers to flowers in your food! Beautiful blog.

      Reply

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    Brandon and Federico

    I'm Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Read More…


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