[2] You can make any flavor float with the soda of your choice. Here, orange soda and vanilla ice cream create a “Creamsicle” ice cream soda (photo © Jarritos Mexican Soda | Unsplash).

[2] A milkshake differs from a float by substituting milk for the soda water, and blending of the ingredients together (photo © Friendship Dairies).

June 20th is National Ice Cream Soda Day, another word for a float. A glass is filled with soda, then scoops of ice cream are added, which have the effect of floating in the soda. Hence: ice cream float. You can add whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry (similar to photo #1), or just enjoy it au naturel* (photo #2).

When was the last time you had an ice cream soda?

Check out the recipe below, from QVC’s David Venable, which is more layered than most.

A typical strawberry float is made with strawberry soda pop and two scoops of strawberry ice cream, with an optional garnish of whipped cream and a whole strawberry. At soda fountains, soda water from the fountain tap and strawberry syrup from a pump were used to create the strawberry sodas.

While the servants of wealthy families had long hand-whipped heavy cream and crushed strawberries in a bowl of ice (the ingredients were combined in a smaller bowl that was nestled in the bowl of ice), the first printed reference to strawberry ice cream dates to 1813.

Then, First Lady Dolley Madison, who first brought ice cream to the White House, served strawberry ice cream at the second inauguration of President James Madison.

In fact, she is credited for originating the flavor, which was served during her husband, President James Madison’s, second inaugural banquet at the White House [source].

> The history of the ice cream soda.

> The history of ice cream.

> The history of strawberries. National Strawberry Ice Cream Day is January 15th.

> The differences between an ice cream soda/float, milkshake, and malted milk are below.
 
 
RECIPE: STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM SODA (A.K.A. FLOAT)

Ingredients For 2 Servings

 
Preparation

1. STIR together the jam and water in a mixing bowl. Set aside. In another mixing bowl…

2. STIR together the soda and Jell-O. Set aside.

3. DIVIDE the strawberry ice cream between two large glasses. Top the ice cream with the soda mixture, then the whipped topping, dividing both evenly between the glasses. Drizzle the jam mixture overtop and garnish each with a whole strawberry.

Trivia: In modern times, red food color is sometimes added to give the strawberry ice cream a deeper color.

Here are more David Venable Recipes on QVC.

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*In France, au naturel means cooked or served plainly. When used to refer to people, it means nude.