I’m keeping things short and sweet today.
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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.
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
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!
Here are some other St. Germain and ice cream recipes on Kitchen Konfidence perfect for summer!
Raspberry Apricot Jam
St. Germain Raspberry Sauce
St. Germain and Champagne
Blueberry Ice Cream with Oat Crumble Topping
Vanilla Ice Cream with Curry Powder and Ginger Syrup
Strawberry Bourbon Ice Cream
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!
Jeff Parker says
Sounds pretty amazing! Cheers
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Jeff!
val says
Perfect timing, as I just bought a bottle of St. Germain for strawberry preserves.
I am a Breyers natural vanilla girl!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Your version sounds so delicious! What an interesting float – a real conversation starter!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Shashi! It’s different, but very tasty 🙂
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
So simple and yet so genius. The heat has already arrived here in Phoenix, but these floats will be the perfect fix for it!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Chrisy! This will surely cool things off 🙂
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
I love a good boozy float – this looks like a delicious combination!
Brandon Matzek says
Me too! Thanks Ashely!
Lydia @Suitcase Foodist says
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.
Brandon Matzek says
Do it!!! I love St. Germain (and Aperol!). So tasty. Thanks Lydia!
Ashley (QLCC) says
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!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Ashley :)! And yes, definitely get a bottle. So versatile and delicious.
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
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.
Brandon Matzek says
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.
Barrett @dirtylaundrykitchen.com says
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.
Brandon Matzek says
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.
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
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!
Brandon Matzek says
Well said 🙂 Thanks Fran!
Sippitysup says
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
Brandon Matzek says
Glad I’m not the only vanilla fan! Chocolate usually wins out.
Gordana says
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….
Liz Schmitt says
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!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Liz!! I’ll have to give Dreyer’s a try!
pam (Grey is the New Black) says
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!
Megan Keno says
Excited to try this!
Susan says
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!
Liren says
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!
Cynthia/what a girl eats says
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!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
This sounds so good, my brother in law would go crazy over it. I’ll have to make it for him asap!
Carol Borchardt says
Just perfect on a summer day! Gorgeous photos!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
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 😉
Elizabeth | the bare midriff says
Oh good gracious YES this is everything! Cheers to flowers in your food! Beautiful blog.