These Cherry Vanilla Floats are a grown-up version of a classic childhood summertime treat. Dr Pepper Cherry® and vanilla ice cream are kicked up with a little something extra. Thank you Dr. Pepper Snapple Group for sponsoring this post.
Did you guys know I worked at a local ice cream shop for years? Years. Like, almost 10. It was pretty much the best job ever. I started working there scooping ice cream when I was 16, my first real summer job. And I ended up working there through high school, summers home from college, and even on the weekends alongside my first post-grad 9 to 5. I only quit when I picked up my life and moved to Florida almost 6 years ago. If I hadn’t moved, who knows– maybe I’d still work there!
I have such great memories of working at the ice cream shop. It was a seasonal place, only open in the summers, the best time of year. My group of high school friends pretty much lived there all summer. I think they were there at least 5 nights a week. And if I wasn’t working, I was there as a customer, licking a chocolate-dipped soft-serve cone or slurping up a peppermint frappe.
We’d hang out in the parking lot for hours before heading back to someone’s house to jump in the pool until parents complained about the boisterous giggles and banished us to the basement or playroom. Summers off from school, without a single care in the world, were pretty much the best thing ever. Why did we have to grow up?
We can’t turn back time, but maybe we can at least relive those days a little bit. Dr Pepper® has two limited edition flavors out: Dr Pepper Cherry® and Dr Pepper Vanilla Float®, which might just help bring a little nostalgia to your summer. During my time working at the ice cream shop, I made hundreds (thousands?) of cones, sundaes, frappes and floats. Some of the best indulgences on a hot summer night.
The summertime Dr Pepper® flavors had me yearning for those summers of fun, freedom and newly acquired drivers licenses. So I decided to make a delicious float, for old time’s sake, to unlock some summer fun!
Of course, since we’re older now we deserve a little extra fun in our floats. So I made these ones boozy. Because we all deserve it. And maybe sometimes being a grown-up is a little more fun. But you could easily leave out the booze for the kiddos and these would still be delicious.
One sip and you’ll be transported back to those magical days of summer– beach trips, pool days and late nights at the ice cream shop. I hadn’t had an ice cream float in ages so this was an extra special treat. With the long, hot summers here I really needed it.
- 1 oz vanilla or whipped cream vodka
- 1 oz cherry brandy
- 1 can Dr Pepper Cherry®
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
- Pour the vodka and brandy into a large glass.
- Add ½ can of Dr Pepper Cherry®.
- Scoop ice cream into the glass.
- Slowly pour remaining soda into the glass. Be careful, it will bubble up!
- Garnish with cherries, if desired.
The limited edition summer flavors, Dr Pepper Cherry® and Dr Pepper Vanilla Float®, are available at select Safeway and Albertsons stores. Check the store locator here to find them, and get them while they’re still available!
What are your favorite summer memories? And what are your favorite summertime treats!?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. The opinions and text are all mine.
