This Lemon Lime Float is a super simple, bubbly party drink made with fresh lemon juice, fizzy lime soda and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's creamy, tangy and so refreshing, and you only need five ingredients and about 10 minutes!
I first made these floats as a fun non-alcoholic drink for a baby shower I was attending, and they were a total hit. Everyone could have one, from the mom-to-be to the kids, and they looked so pretty lined up on the table. If you're planning a shower of your own, a book like Baby Shower Planning Like a Pro makes the whole thing feel a lot less overwhelming.
Think of it as a citrusy twist on the classic root beer float. If you've ever had a lemon float made with lemonade and vanilla ice cream, this one is in the same family, just with extra sparkle from the lime soda. And no ice needed - the ice cream keeps every glass nice and cold!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Lime soda. This is where all the fizz comes from. A lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7UP works great, and so does a lime-flavored soda if you can find one. Diet or zero-sugar versions are fine too if you want to cut back on sugar.
- Fresh lemons. Fresh-squeezed juice gives these floats their bright, tangy flavor. Bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, but it tastes a little flat next to the real thing. A sturdy lemon squeezer gets every last drop out and keeps the seeds out of your drink.
- Vanilla ice cream. Plain vanilla lets the citrus shine and gives you that creamy, foamy top. You can swap in lemon sorbet, lime sherbet or frozen yogurt for a lighter float, or use a dairy-free vanilla ice cream if anyone in your crowd needs it.
- Key lime and lemon slices. These are just for garnish, but they make each glass look so festive. Regular limes are totally fine if you can't find key limes.
Helpful Tips
Chill everything first. Cold soda and cold glasses make a big difference. The ice cream melts more slowly, and the float stays thick and creamy instead of turning soupy. I like to pop the glasses in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before guests arrive.
Pour slowly. Ice cream and soda foam up fast! Tilt the glass a little and pour the lemon soda mixture down the side so the foam rises gently instead of spilling over the top.
Taste the lemon mixture before you pour. Lemons vary a lot in size and tartness. Give the soda and juice a quick taste, and if it's too tart for you, add a splash more soda. If you love a really zippy drink, squeeze in a little extra lemon.
Scoop the ice cream ahead of time. Scooping hard ice cream for a crowd takes a while. A good ice cream scoop helps, and you can scoop everything onto a lined tray and keep it in the freezer until it's time to serve.
Assemble right before serving. Floats are best the minute they're made, while the soda is still fizzy and the foam is tall. Set out the glasses and garnishes, then put them together as people are ready to drink.
Variations
- Classic lemon float. Swap the lime soda for sparkling lemonade, or use half lemonade and half club soda, for a simple lemon float with the same creamy top.
- Sherbet float. Use lime or lemon sherbet instead of vanilla ice cream. The color is so pretty, and the flavor gets extra tangy.
- Berry float. Drop a few raspberries or sliced strawberries into each glass before you add the ice cream. If you love strawberry, try our Strawberry Ice Cream Soda too.
- Cherry on top. Add a maraschino cherry to each glass for a fun, old-fashioned soda fountain look.
- Grown-up version. For an adult party, add a small splash of vodka or white rum to each glass. Keep a batch without alcohol for anyone who wants it, of course!
Serving Ideas
These floats are perfect for a baby shower, a bridal shower, a birthday party or a lazy summer afternoon on the patio. Serve them in clear glasses so everyone can see the foamy top, and add a spoon along with a straw. Fun paper straws and colorful cocktail napkins make it feel extra special.
For food, small bites work best. Think finger sandwiches, fruit skewers, mini desserts and a bowl of something salty. Single-serving appetizers and treats look so cute in mini dessert cups, and cleanup is easy. A slice of Lemon Lime Poke Cake would be a perfect match too!
Make-Ahead
You can get almost everything ready ahead of time. Squeeze the lemons and keep the juice in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Slice the lemons and limes for garnish the morning of your party and keep them covered in the fridge. Scoop the ice cream onto a parchment-lined tray and keep it in the freezer for up to a day.
Wait to mix the juice and soda until just before serving, or the soda will lose its fizz. The finished floats don't store or freeze well, so assemble them right when you're ready to enjoy them. For a big crowd, set up a little float bar with the chilled soda mixture, the tray of scoops and the garnishes, and let everyone build their own.
More Drink Recipes
If you loved this float, here are a few more drinks you might enjoy:
- Strawberry Mojito Float
- Christmas Mocktail
- Pina Colada Mocktail
- Copycat Sonic Cherry Limeade
- Strawberry Limeade Rum Punch
Recipe
Lemon Lime Float
Ingredients
- 2 cups lime soda chilled, or lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7UP
- 4 lemons juiced (about ½ cup juice)
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream about ½ cup each
- 4 key lime slices or regular lime slices
- 4 lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the lemons in half and squeeze out the juice. Strain out any seeds. You should have about ½ cup.
- Pour the lemon juice into a pitcher or large jar. Add the chilled lime soda and stir gently to combine. Taste and add a splash more soda if it's too tart.
- Add one scoop of vanilla ice cream to each of 4 glasses.
- Tilt each glass and slowly pour the lemon soda mixture over the ice cream, letting the foam rise to the top.
- Garnish each glass with a key lime slice and a lemon slice on the rim. Serve right away with a straw and a spoon.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
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