Introduction: The Ultimate Coke Float With Coca Cola Flavoured Ice Cream

By www.thirdearthdesign.com
About: I work as an I.T. Support Technician for my 9 to 5 but my true passion is designing, engineering and making, or just generally fiddling with things.

With summer just around the corner (at the time of writing at least), what better way to relax and stay cool than with a refreshing coke float. This creamy refreshment has been around for more than a century, but I never actually tried one myself until recently. This is my version of the classic brown cow with a little twist.

The common recipe consists of Coca-Cola or Pepsi poured over some vanilla ice cream. I decided to take things a little further and make the Ultimate Coke Float, Classic Coca Cola poured over cola ice-cubes and cola flavoured ice cream mixed with a fermented cola syrup.

Why not try this retro soda treat yourself, you don't need an Ice Cream maker either, I've included a few tips on how to make ice-cream without one! This is also an egg-free recipe, so it's safe for expectant mothers and younger children too.

Step 1: Ingredients and Preparation

This Instructable is broken down into four main stages:

  • Syrup
  • Ice Cream
  • Ice Cubes
  • and finally, putting it all together to make the Ultimate Coke Float

For each stage you will need the following ingredients:

Cola Syrup

  • Fermented Cola -you can use regular cola if you prefer

Cola Ice Cream

  • 600ml of Cream -thickened is best, but you can also use double cream that's been whipped
  • 40ml of Full Fat milk -that's blue top milk in the UK
  • Half a can of Coca-Cola -no sugar is added to this recipe, the cola should contain enough already
  • Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste -only a small amount is required, but add to suit your taste

Cola Ice Cubes

Half a can of Coca-Cola -use the rest of the can left over from the Ice Cream

Equipment

For the best results I'd recommend the use of an ice-cream maker. I'm using a multi-function mixer with an ice-cream maker attachment, but you can also make home-made ice cream using nothing more than a couple of freezer bags -more information is provided in the ice cream making step.

Step 2: Making Cola Syrup

To add a powerful ripple of cola flavour to the ice cream we'll be folding in a home-made cola syrup. To make this I'm using Curiosity Cola made by Fentimans in the UK. It's a botanically brewed cola made by infusing herbal ingredients and fermenting it. You can also use a regular cola if you prefer, but I've chosen the fermented cola for its strong distinctive taste.

To make the syrup:

  1. Pour the cola into a heavy bottomed pan
  2. Bring to the boil
  3. Simmer until the cola has reduced down to a sixth of its original volume
  4. Remove from the heat and transfer to a jug
  5. Leave to cool at room temperature

Step 3: Making the Cola Ice Cream

Making ice cream at home is a lot easier than most people think, and although it's easier with an ice cream maker, it's not essential to have one. Follow the simple recipe below to make your cola flavoured ice cream.

With an ice cream maker:

  1. Add the cream, milk, vanilla and one quarter of the cola to the frozen bowl
  2. Start churning the mixture
  3. Add another quarter of the cola
  4. Continue churning until the mixture starts to freeze and an ice cream consistency is achieved
  5. Spoon the ice cream into a suitable freezer container
  6. Place in the freezer for one hour
  7. Remove from the freezer and lightly fold 3/4 of the cola syrup we made earlier
  8. Return to the freezer and leave overnight or at least 8 hours

Without an ice cream maker:

  1. Add the cream, milk, vanilla and half of the cola to a mixing bowl
  2. Mix the ingredients together until well combined and smooth
  3. Pour the mixture into a strong freezer-proof food bag and seal it
  4. Take a larger strong freezer-proof bag and partially fill with ice, add some salt -this makes the ice even colder
  5. Place the bag that contains the mixture inside the larger bag that contains the ice and seal it
  6. Place in the freezer
  7. Remove after an hour and mix the contents by squeezing the bag
  8. Return to the freezer
  9. Repeat the mixing process an hour later then return to the freezer and leave overnight

Step 4: Cola Ice Cubes

To keep our drink refreshingly cold we'll want some ice. Instead of using regular water ice cubes we'll be using frozen cola. This means that our Coca Cola doesn't get spoiled by melting ice diluting the refreshing flavour.

Simply use the rest of the Coca Cola left over from making the ice cream and fill as many cubes of the ice cube tray as you can. Place in the freezer until completely frozen.

Step 5: Making the Float

Finally with your ice cream made and your ice cubes frozen, it's time to put it all together in a glass then relax.

Add a couple of cola ice cubes to your glass, throw in a straw, and add a couple of scoops of the home made cola ice cream then pour over the Coca Cola. If you saved some of the syrup from earlier you can drizzle what's left over the top of the floating ice cream for an extra kick of flavour.

Now it's time to sit back, relax and enjoy your Ultimate Coke Float.