With this Gin and Tonic Float you can turn the classic cocktail into a decadent dessert! It's creamy, fizzy and full of botanical flavours.
Make your G&T into something special.
Just add a big scoop of your favourite vanilla ice cream and suddenly you have a gin and tonic float!
I love that it's a childlike treat that's strictly for grown-ups!
Ice cream floats were common when I was growing up in Canada.
Just a bit of ice cream carefully spooned into a glass of fizzy soda pop and suddenly you had a decadent dessert.
I haven't had one in many many years, so here I've recreated it - adult style by making one with a cocktail!
Once the creamy ice cream hits the sparkling tonic water it foams up and melts into the drink a bit, making it sweet and creamy.
The top turns into a lovely fizzy foam with flavours from the fragrant gin and zingy lime juice.
Tips
This is a super easy dessert / cocktail recipe! But here are some tips to help you ensure success every time.
Use your favorite gin. I like plain London dry gin, but it's also amazing with flavoured gin such as berry, pink etc...
I like a good quality tonic too. An aromatic tonic water makes all the difference.
Just like the gin and the tonic, be sure to use a good ice cream too for the most decadent G&T float.
Try making your own vanilla ice cream.
Add the ice cream to the G&T immediately before serving so it's still all lovely and frothy when you serve it.
Get all fancy and add mini paper umbrellas, colorful straws etc...
Use a tall thin glass as the ice cream float will froth up!
Cocktail Desserts
I love using gin in dessert recipes (like this gin and tonic ice cream float). They're a fun flavor twist and everyone is always very intrigued to try them out.
Get inspired by your favorite cocktail recipes and try turning them into creative cocktail-inspired desserts, like these!
My cucumber and lemon cake is topped with a gorgeous gin icing which brings lovely botanical flavours from the gin to the cake.
I can't wait to try it in other boozy bakes and perhaps in Good Housekeeping's gin and tonic cheesecake.
If you're looking for other desserts with alcohol, you could try my salted bourbon butterscotch or cupcakes with Pimm's Icing.
What are your favorite cocktail desserts? Be sure to head down to the comments and let me know which ones you love.
More cocktail recipes
If you love this G&T Ice Cream Float, then you'll love these other cocktail recipes too!
Cucumber Gin and Tonic
Mulled Wine Spritzer
Mulled Gin Cocktail with Mulled Wine Ice Cubes
Cucumber Caipirinha
Cucumber Collins
Be sure to also check out this epic list of the 40 Best Cocktail Recipes to Make at Home.
Always drink responsibly!
Get the recipe
Check out the Veggie Desserts + Cakes cookbook on Amazon
Gin and Tonic Float
Ingredients
- 3 oz gin
- 4 oz tonic water
- juice of ½ a lime
- scoop of vanilla ice cream
- to serve: slice of lime
Instructions
- Add the gin, tonic and lime juice to a tall glass, but don't fill to the top. Add a scoop of ice cream and serve. Once the ice cream is in it will fizz up and create a decadent creamy foam. Garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy (responsibly 🙂 )
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Sarah
I love this idea! Gin and tonics can be a little bitter sometimes, so I bet this touch of sweet is perfection!
Charlie Mace
This has totally blown my mind! MUST TRY! Why have I never thought of doing this? Floats remind me of my childhood!!
Mellissa Williams
What a lovely twist on a G and T. Could you make a non alcoholic version?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
What a fun way to serve a cocktail!
Sandi
This is my kind of drink recipe...I love gin but this makes it sweeter :-).
aish das padihari
Gin and Tonic is one of my most favorite drinks and the float idea sounds good too. I should try.
Anne Murphy
And a G&T was always my favorite refreshing hot weather drink - this takes it to a whole different level!
Edyta/Innocent Delight
What a great idea. It would have never crossed my mind to add ice cream to my alcoholic beverage. Awesome!
Beth
This is a crazy, yet intriguing idea! My favorite were root beer floats when I was kid. I think this would be supper tasty!
Cliona Keane
Now that's a recipe I can get on board with! I'm off to find the gin!
Amy | The Cook Report
What a fun idea! I love a gin and tonic and this looks like a great twist on a classic
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
This has my name written all over it. Next time you're whiping up some G&T floats I insist on an invite 😀