Peppermint Christmas Float Recipe – The Ultimate Festive Ice Cream Drink

Looking for a fun, festive, and easy treat to brighten up your holiday table? This Peppermint Christmas Float might be the most delightful holiday drink you’ll ever serve. Made with cream soda, vanilla ice cream, peppermint extract, and topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes, this icy sweet drink checks all the boxes for flavor, presentation, and holiday cheer. It’s perfect for both kids and adults and is guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any Christmas gathering. Whether you’re planning a party, looking for a unique dessert alternative, or just want to treat your family to something special, this float is your go-to Christmas drink.

Check out our Christmas Apple Cranberry Spritzer if you’re craving more holiday drink ideas.

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Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Christmas Float

A fun twist on classic holiday drinks

Christmas drinks are often warm and spiced, but sometimes, you want something cool and refreshing that still tastes festive. This peppermint float flips tradition on its head by offering a chilled dessert-style drink with peppermint flair. The rich vanilla ice cream and fizzy soda blend into a creamy, frothy float that feels indulgent but is incredibly simple to make.

Perfect for parties, kids, and cozy nights

This float is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. You can make it in batches for a Christmas party or serve it one-by-one for a movie night at home. The crushed peppermint rim and dollop of Cool Whip on top make it look as impressive as it tastes. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, which makes it perfect for kids or family-friendly gatherings.

Quick, no-bake, and crowd-pleasing

You don’t need an oven, mixer, or fancy ingredients. With just a few household staples—cream soda, ice cream, and peppermint—you’re only minutes away from a treat that looks like it took much longer to prepare. And if you love no-bake recipes, don’t miss our Easy No-Bake Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits.

Ingredients You Need for the Perfect Peppermint Float

Key ingredients and substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredient	Quantity	Substitution Ideas
Cream soda	1 cup per float	Lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
Vanilla ice cream	2 small scoops	Vanilla bean or peppermint ice cream
Peppermint extract	2–3 drops	Mint extract (for milder taste)
Heavy whipping cream	2 tbsp	Half-and-half (for lighter version)
Cool Whip (for garnish)	1 dollop	Real whipped cream
Crushed peppermint candy	For rimming glass	Red sanding sugar or crushed candy cane
Red food coloring	1–2 drops (optional)	Beet juice (natural alternative)
Whole peppermint candy	1 per glass (garnish)	Optional or substitute with festive sprinkles

You’ll be surprised how these simple ingredients come together to make a holiday-worthy drink.

How to balance peppermint flavor just right

Peppermint extract is potent, so less is more. We recommend starting with 2–3 drops per float. If you’re making multiple, stir it into the cream base before pouring. Want a stronger minty profile? Add one more drop at a time and taste as you go. Discover great ideas like our Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies if you’re a mint lover!

Can you use homemade ice cream or whipped topping?

Absolutely! Homemade ice cream gives a rich, soft texture that melts beautifully into the soda. Just remember: homemade versions melt faster. The same goes for whipped cream—using fresh cream adds a more luxurious topping. If you’re short on time, Cool Whip or store-bought options work perfectly.

Don’t miss our Strawberry Santa Treats for another kid-friendly, festive dessert idea.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Peppermint Christmas Float

How to rim your glasses with crushed peppermint

This little touch takes your float from basic to Instagram-worthy. Start by crushing peppermint candies using a zip-top bag and a rolling pin. Pour the crushed bits into a shallow plate. Dip the rim of your glass in water, then press gently into the crushed candy to coat.

Mixing the peppermint cream base

In the bottom of each glass, combine 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, 2–3 drops of peppermint extract, and 1–2 drops of red food coloring. Stir well to blend. The mixture will tint the cream pink and infuse it with peppermint essence.

Layering soda, ice cream & toppings for a dreamy float

Pour half the cream soda slowly into the prepared glass. Add two small scoops of vanilla ice cream. Then, slowly pour the rest of the soda over the top. It will fizz and rise beautifully. Add a generous dollop of Cool Whip, sprinkle crushed peppermint, and place a whole candy on top for a festive finish.

Looking for inspiration? Try our Melting Snowman Mocktail for another icy Christmas favorite!

Customizing Your Holiday Float for Any Occasion

Turn it into a grown-up cocktail version

Want to elevate your peppermint float for the adults at your gathering? Add a splash of vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, or white crème de menthe to your soda base. The alcohol blends seamlessly with the creamy vanilla and mint flavors, creating a cocktail that’s smooth, festive, and totally unique. Just remember to label the grown-up version clearly—these floats look just like the kid-friendly ones.

Make it kid-friendly with fun toppings

Kids love adding their own twist, and this float is a blank canvas for creativity. Set up a topping bar with options like red and green sprinkles, marshmallows, mini candy canes, or even chocolate shavings. Allowing kids to “decorate” their own floats makes it more interactive and fun—plus, it’s a great way to keep little hands busy during holiday prep.

Don’t miss our Christmas Tree Deviled Eggs for another fun DIY-style holiday dish for kids.

Color variations for different holidays

Though red and white scream Christmas, you can easily adapt this float for other occasions. Use green food coloring and spearmint candies for a St. Patrick’s Day version, or pink food coloring for Valentine’s Day. Swapping out the garnishes while keeping the core recipe the same gives you a versatile, year-round treat.

Tips for Serving and Storing Peppermint Floats

When to serve and how to prep ahead

Timing is everything. Floats are best served immediately to capture the fizzy magic. But you can prep parts of it ahead: rim the glasses with peppermint and mix the cream base earlier in the day. Keep the cream mix in the fridge, and scoop your ice cream into a tray lined with parchment—this way, you just drop them into the glass when you’re ready.

Preventing the float from melting too fast

Use chilled glasses and very cold cream soda to give your float a head start. Keeping your ingredients icy cold is key to maintaining that perfect float-to-fizz ratio. Also, avoid overhandling the ice cream; the more it melts in your scoop, the faster it’ll dissolve once it hits the soda.

Discover great ideas like our Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups to serve as a savory pairing to balance your sweet float.

Garnish tips that wow your guests

Want a float that looks like it came out of a holiday café? Try this:

• Crushed peppermint rim + Cool Whip swirl + candy cane stick = classic combo
• Add edible glitter or colored sugar crystals for sparkle
• Drizzle white chocolate or chocolate syrup along the inner glass before pouring

You can also freeze mini peppermint candies into ice cubes and float them in the drink. It’s the details that elevate the presentation from fun to fantastic.

Pairings and Other Festive Christmas Treats

What desserts and snacks go well with this float

This float pairs beautifully with:

• Gingerbread cookies – Spicy meets minty
• Shortbread or sugar cookies – Simple, buttery bites to balance sweetness
• Chocolate brownies – Rich chocolate balances the minty freshness
• Mini cheesecakes – Especially with a peppermint swirl or Oreo crust

Looking for the perfect cookie? Check out our Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for a dramatic, chewy holiday cookie.

Similar Christmas drink recipes to try

Once you’ve mastered the peppermint float, try branching out with these festive drinks:

• Jingle Juice (alcoholic punch)
• Christmas punch with cranberry & orange
• Eggnog milkshakes or white hot chocolate
• Peppermint mocha frappes

Our Holiday Jamaican Eggnog Recipe is an excellent option for a traditional, creamy drink with a twist.

Presentation ideas for a full Christmas drink station

Planning a Christmas party? Set up a drink station with:

• Glass jars of crushed candies, chocolate chips, and sprinkles
• Mason jars or clear mugs for serving
• Printed tags with drink names and flavor ideas
• A small cooler of ice cream balls pre-scooped
• Pitchers of soda, cream mix, and whipped topping for DIY floats

Pair this setup with Christmas lights and festive tablecloths for a charming and easy-to-manage dessert bar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peppermint Christmas Float

Conclusion: Make This Peppermint Christmas Float Your New Tradition

The Peppermint Christmas Float is more than just a drink—it’s a holiday experience in a glass. With just a few ingredients and under 10 minutes of prep, you’ll create a sweet, peppermint-infused treat that captures the joy of the season. Whether you’re entertaining guests, treating the kids, or sipping solo in your Christmas pajamas, this float brings cheer in every frothy, fizzy sip.

Looking for inspiration? Try our Santa Claus Macarons for another holiday show-stopper dessert that pairs perfectly with this float.

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