Strawberry Daiquiri Float (Print Version)

A bubbly summer float with strawberries, lime, creamy ice cream, and sparkling water.

# Components:

→ Strawberry Daiquiri Base

01 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 fluid ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
04 - 2 fluid ounces white rum, optional

→ Float

05 - 2 scoops vanilla ice cream or dairy-free alternative
06 - 1 cup chilled sparkling water

→ Garnish

07 - Fresh mint leaves
08 - Sliced strawberries
09 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Combine strawberries, sugar, lime juice, and rum if using in blender. Process until smooth consistency is achieved.
02 - Divide strawberry mixture evenly between two tall glasses.
03 - Place one scoop of vanilla ice cream into each glass.
04 - Slowly pour chilled sparkling water over ice cream and strawberry mixture, filling glasses while allowing foam to develop naturally.
05 - Top each float with mint leaves, a strawberry slice, and lime wedge. Serve immediately with straw and spoon.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours perfecting it when really you just threw a blender to work for two minutes.
  • The sparkling water makes it feel fancy and celebratory without any pretension or complicated techniques.
  • You can skip the rum entirely and still have something that feels indulgent and special.
02 -
  • If your sparkling water sits open for more than a day, it loses its fizz, so buy it fresh and keep it sealed until the moment you pour it.
  • The order of assembly matters—ice cream first, then sparkling water, or the water will just flow around the ice cream and not create that magical float effect.
03 -
  • If you're making multiple floats at once, blend all the strawberry mixture first, then assemble each drink individually so the sparkling water is always fresh and fizzy.
  • A tiny pinch of salt in the strawberry blend amplifies the strawberry flavor without making it taste salty—it's a trick I learned by accident and now do every time.
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