Sparkling Cider Floats: The Easiest Fancy Drink You’ll Ever Make
Say hello to your new favorite party trick: the Sparkling Cider Float. It’s the perfect blend of childhood nostalgia—think ice cream floats on a hot summer day—and grown-up elegance, making it feel sophisticated without any of the fuss. Best of all, it’s 100% delicious and guaranteed to be a hit.
This float is perfect for almost any occasion. It’s festive enough for New Year’s Eve, cozy enough for a fall evening, and simple enough for a random Tuesday when you just need a little pick-me-up. It takes about three minutes to make but looks like you hired a caterer.
Why This Drink Just Works
You might be looking at the ingredient list and thinking, “That’s it?” Yes, that’s it! The beauty is in the simplicity and the science of how the ingredients interact.
- The Fizz Factor: The carbonation in the sparkling cider is the star here. When it hits the sherbet, it creates a wonderful fizz and foam, much like a classic root beer float. This reaction releases the aromas of the cider and creates a light, airy texture.
- Sweet Meets Tart: Sparkling apple cider has a lovely tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the rainbow sherbet. The sherbet, with its blend of raspberry, lime, and orange flavors, adds a creamy texture and a fruity complexity that complements the apple perfectly.
- Visually Stunning: Let’s be honest, we eat (and drink) with our eyes first. The swirls of pink, orange, and green from the sherbet melting into the golden cider, all served in an elegant champagne flute, make this drink a showstopper.
The Recipe: 3-Minute Sparkling Cider Floats
Ready to impress yourself and your guests? Let’s get to it. This recipe is for a single serving, so you can easily scale it up for a crowd.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 Ounces Sparkling Apple Cider: Any brand will do. I recommend chilling it beforehand for an extra crisp and refreshing experience.
- 2 Small Scoops Rainbow Sherbet: I find that a 1-inch cookie scoop is the perfect tool for getting those neat, small scoops that fit perfectly in a flute.
- Lime Slices (Optional Garnish): A thin slice of lime adds a pop of color and a fresh, citrusy aroma.
- Raspberries (Optional Garnish): A few fresh raspberries floating on top look beautiful and add another layer of fruity flavor.
- Lemon Slices (Optional Garnish): Like lime, a twist of lemon peel or a thin slice works wonders.
Equipment Needed
- Champagne Flute: This is the ideal glass. Its tall, narrow shape showcases the bubbles and foam beautifully.
Step-by-Step Directions
Carefully pour about 4 ounces of chilled sparkling apple cider into your champagne flute.
Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or a small spoon, gently place two scoops of rainbow sherbet into the glass. Don’t just drop them in, or you might have a cider explosion on your hands! The mixture will immediately start to foam and expand.
If you’re feeling fancy, top your float with a fresh raspberry or hang a thin slice of lemon or lime on the rim of the glass. Serve immediately and enjoy the magic!
Sparkling Cider Floats
Ingredients
- 4 Ounces Sparkling Apple Cider
- 2 Small Scoops Rainbow Sherbet I use a 1-inch cookie scoop
- Lime Slices optional
- Raspberries optional
- Lemon Slices optional
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider into your glass.
- Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, or something similar in size, gently place two scoops of rainbow sherbet in the glass.
- Garnish with a lemon slice, lime slice, or raspberry, if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- I like to make sure my apple cider is chilled for this recipe, however, the ice cream chills it down, so room temp will work as well.
- It’s important that you don’t add more cider, even though it seems like a small amount, unless you use a larger glass. The mixture of cider and sherbet makes it foam and expand, so you don’t want to cause a mess by overfilling to begin with.
- This is a virgin drink, but you can replace 1 ounce of the cider with 1 ounce of spiced rum, if you would like to make it an adult drink.
- You can use other flavors of sherbet, but the rainbow looked the best, in my opinion.
- If you want to add a nice touch, place the glasses in the freezer about 15 minutes before use for a little frosted effect.
For more refreshing beverages, check out these ideas:
