Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float Recipe – Copycat in 4 Steps
Dr Pepper Vanilla Float is nostalgic. It’s one of those old-fashioned treats that never truly goes out of style.
If you are here to try a similar taste, I have got you.
Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float Recipe is:
- Chill the glass: Place a thick serving glass in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes. Add 2 to 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream to the bottom once chilled.
- Pour in the Dr Pepper: Slowly pour cold Dr Pepper down the side of the tilted glass.
- Add toppings: Finish with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a maraschino cherry.
- Serve immediately: The float tastes best within 6 to 8 minutes before it melts and loses fizz.
Now, the details.
Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float Recipe Takeaways
| Recipe Detail | Exact Information |
|---|---|
| Recipe name | Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float |
| Recipe category | Beverage / Dessert Drink |
| Cuisine | American |
| Yield | 1 large float |
| Serving size | 1 prepared Dr Pepper float |
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Chilling time | 15 minutes |
| Total time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Calories per serving | 583 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 100 g |
| Sugar | 89 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Saturated fat | 11 g |
| Cholesterol | 68 mg |
| Sodium | 246 mg |
| Fibre | 1 g |
| Potassium | 485 mg |
| Main ingredients | Dr Pepper and vanilla ice cream |
| Dr Pepper quantity | 1 chilled 330 ml can |
| Vanilla ice cream quantity | 3 scoops |
| Optional toppings | Whipped cream, chocolate syrup and 1 maraschino cherry |
| Glass type | Heavy-walled soda fountain glass |
| Glass chilling time | 11 to 15 minutes |
| Best time to drink | Immediately after preparation |
| Serving suggestion | Serve with a straw and spoon |
| Rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
| Reviews | 159 reviews |
Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you need to get from the grocery store to make your yummy dessert:
- Get 2-3 large scoops of vanilla ice cream
- Only 1 can of Dr Pepper
- Whipped cream if you like (optional)
- Chocolate syrup for that extra sweetness (optional)
- Cherry on top (optional)
This list consists of 2 must-have items and 3 additional items. You can pick and choose the ones you want in your recipe. If you are on a budget, you can go with the basic ingredients, and you will still have a delicious dessert to have.
Instructions to Make The Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float Recipe
This might be the easiest beverage recipe I have ever written. If you want the version with the bare minimum effort and great taste, you need to follow only the first 2 steps, and you can serve the deliciousness.
Here’s how to make the best Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float at home:
Step 1 – Freeze the Glass and Include Ice Cream
Start your recipe by taking your prettiest serving glass and placing it in the refrigerator. Keep it in there for 11 to 15 minutes, as this helps the drink stay cool for a long period of time. The main enemy of any float drink is “melting.” The heat causes it to melt at a quick pace. So, when you put the glass in the refrigerator, you are allowing the drink to stay cool.
Here’s what I recommend: Choose a heavy-walled glass (like a soda fountain-style glass). Thick glass holds thermal energy longer than thin glass.
Once the glass is chilled, you can take out your ice cream.
As I listed in the ingredients list, you need to add 2 or 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream. If you want your float to have a stronger taste of vanilla, you can add 3; otherwise, 2 is fine.
When handling the ice cream, use a commercial-style disher (spring-loaded scoop). A lukewarm scoop dipped in a glass of warm water and then shaken dry will glide through the ice cream. It will allow you to create a perfectly spherical “ball.”
Another important note: Place the scoops at the very bottom of the glass.
Step 2 – Mix in the Soda
Take a cold can of Dr Pepper for the best result. We want all the ingredients to remain cold so the recipe tastes its best. Pour the Dr Pepper slowly into the serving glass. Make sure the glass is tilted a little so the foam doesn’t spill outside.
Pour the soda a little, wait a few seconds, then start pouring more. Continue this until your glass gets full. Slowly pouring the soda helps to create the balance between ice cream and soda.
What I do is:
- I hold the glass at a 45-degree angle.
- Pour the Dr Pepper so it hits the side of the glass, not the ice cream directly. Let the liquid slide down the glass wall.
- The Pause. Pouring continuously will trap too much air. Pour roughly 1/3 of the can, stop, and let the initial violent reaction settle for 5–7 seconds. This allows the ice cream to begin the “creaming” process.
Step 3 – Add extra toppings
Your float is almost ready to enjoy, but you can include some extra toppings to satisfy your heart more. Add a generous swirl of whipped cream on top of the foam. Then, place as much chocolate syrup as you want on the whipped cream.
Finish the recipe by adding the final cherry on top. Do not just drop the cherry. Blot it on a paper towel first to remove the excess sugary syrup (which can be cloying).
You have now achieved more sweetness and richness with every sip. These simple toppings make the drink look more special, especially in front of company.
Step 4 – Serve and Enjoy
It’s best to serve Dr Pepper Vanilla Float right away. Why? Because it’s enjoyed the most when it’s cold. It’s mainly the reason why we use all the chilled products and even freeze the glass.
The “float lifespan” is approximately 6 to 8 minutes. After this, the ice cream becomes too diluted, and the carbonation flattens.
If you take too long to serve it might melt. Thus, serve it right away with a straw and a spoon. The spoon for the vanilla ice cream and the straw for the Dr Pepper soda.
Place the glass on a small saucer with a folded napkin underneath. This prevents “sweating.” What is it? It is the condensation that forms on the outside of a chilled glass.
Dr Pepper Vanilla Float with Condensed Milk Variation
This is one of the tastiest variations you can make to your Dr Pepper vanilla float. What you need is 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, 1 can of Dr Pepper, and 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.
Start your recipe by chilling the glass and adding your ice cream. Then move to pouring soda slowly, and when you are done, include your condensed milk as well. As the condensed milk is already sweet, it’s a smart choice to not add a lot of it.
This variation is perfect if you enjoy dessert drinks that are richer and more fancy than the classic version.
Now, if you want a non-milk version, then I have the best recipe for you. Try 7Up Strawberry Watermelon soda and enjoy every sip.
Can you make a homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float Recipe with No Ice Cream?
Yes, you can absolutely make this recipe with no ice cream. All you need are two alternative ingredients, which in this case are heavy cream and vanilla syrup. Get 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, add it to your serving glass. The cream mimics the melted vanilla ice cream.
Include 2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup as well to recreate that vanilla flavor without the ice cream. Finish it by adding your soda slowly into the glass and enjoy your no-ice-cream vanilla float, which is just as good.
How does Dr Pepper Vanilla Float taste?
People are often curious about how this unique combo works. Does it taste nice? The answer to that query is yes; it is as delicious as it sounds. The combination of vanilla ice cream with the amazing Dr Pepper tastes like a classic ice cream float.
The vanilla ice cream reduces the intensity of the soda, and the taste turns sweet, smooth, and creamy. Some even say it tastes like having a melted vanilla milkshake mixed with Dr Pepper.
It’s a bit different from the taste of the Sunjoy drink. However, I can relate it to Dr Pepper Cream Soda.
What’s the Calorie Count of Homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float Recipe?
A serving of this homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float contains around 380 to 500 calories. It all depends on how much vanilla ice cream you use and if you add no extra toppings, as the Dr Pepper is 150 calories; 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream can go around 380 to 400 calories.
If you top the float with a swirl of whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a cherry on top, the total calorie count increases to around 450 to 500.
Conclusion
Make this nostalgic homemade Dr Pepper Vanilla Float at home in just 4 steps. Get your vanilla ice cream and Dr Pepper. Place the ice cream in a serving glass that’s chilled, and slowly pour the Dr Pepper to create the fizz.
Serve it as it is or add any extra toppings. You can change the flavor up a little by adding condensed milk or by replacing ice cream with heavy cream and vanilla syrup. Have this creamy float and relive your childhood memories and create new ones with your loved ones.
