Retro Strawberry Ice Cream Float Recipe (1950s Recipe)

Make a delicious and fun strawberry ice cream float recipe using Jello! It’s a vintage recipe that is easy to make and you can also customize the flavors to fit your tastes.

If you just want the recipe card scroll down and it’s all ready for you. You can even get a printer-friendly version. If you want to hear more about this vintage recipe and how to make it keep reading. 

When you think of vintage Jello recipes you likely think of the wild Jello molds that are filled with all kinds of things that don’t sound like you should put into Jello. But they also made so pretty delicious recipes using Jello.

When I came across a strawberry ice cream float that used Jello I knew I had to try it. I love soda fountain style drink recipes and this one sounded easy.

This strawberry ice cream float recipe came from a July 1953 issue of Better Homes and Gardens and I’ve tested it and adjusted it to work in modern times.

Retro Strawberry Ice Cream Float Recipe

Can someone explain to me why we don’t see ice cream floats as often anymore? They are delicious and the flavor combinations are endless.

At least they are simple to make from home and I will keep finding and testing recipes to bring them to all of us!

This ice cream float was originally called Berry-Pink Soda. And it’s such a delightful looking drink and it is as delicious as it looks.

Like so often with vintage recipes, this recipe was written like you were giving it to a friend and not terribly detailed. I tested it out and figured out how all the details needed so you can easily create this recipe at home.

Now to the fun part, the actual recipe. You only need a few ingredients for this recipe.

Strawberry Ice Cream Float Ingredients

• Strawberry Jello – While this recipe called for strawberry Jello you can really use any flavor you like.
• Carbonated Water – I make this at home using a SodaStream but I don’t recommend that brand now as they are a boycotted brand. You can find other similar soda makers or you can also buy it or use club soda, seltzer water, or sparkling mineral water. However, keep in mind that these alternatives may have slight differences in taste and mineral content.
• Vanilla Ice Cream – Use whatever vanilla ice cream you enjoy. You can also use homemade vanilla ice cream just make sure it’s frozen solid so you can scoop it and it won’t melt too fast. 

That’s all you need! As always if possible try to buy your ingredients at a local grocery store to help us support our local communities.

How To Make A Strawberry Ice Cream Float

There are just a couple of steps to this recipe so you can whip these up in no time for a fun summer time treat. Kids can also help make their own.

1. Prepare the Carbonated Water: If you are making your own carbonated water be sure to do that first using the instructions with your machine. I like to also make sure to have chilled my carbonated water.
2. Make your Strawberry Jello Syrup: This uses different instructions than the Jello box so be sure to check the recipe card to make it.
3. Add a Scoop of Ice Cream to Tall Glass: You want to start with a scoop of ice cream.
4. Top with Strawberry Syrup: Pour the syrup over your scoop of ice cream.
5. Add More Ice Cream: You’ll add another scoop.
6. Top with Carbonated Water: Now just top with carbonated water. Stir until the ice cream melts slightly
7. Enjoy: I like to serve this in an old-fashioned soda fountain glass for a real vintage feel. 

That’s all! Next time you can try some more flavor combinations!

Helpful Tips and Substitutions

• Try different Jello flavors to make the Jello syrup.
• Try different ice cream flavors. The original recipe suggests strawberry as another option.
• Use strawberry soda for a sweeter drink. This is mild as written but they also suggest you can use a strawberry soda in place of the carbonated water.
• Add more strawberry syrup to taste. You can also just add more syrup to get a sweeter drink.
• You can save the syrup in the fridge but it will set into Jello. To use it as a syrup again just heat gently just until melted.

Even More Old-Fashion Soda Fountain Style Drinks To Try

If you also enjoy old-fashion soda fountain drinks I’ve got a bunch of good recipes for you try at home.

• Chocolate Soda
• Chocolate Coke
• Lime Tinkle 
• 7up Ice Cream Float
• Coffee Float
• Grape Juice Ice Cream Float

You can also get these recipes sent to your inbox with 6 Days of Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain Recipes.

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Yield: 1 drink

Retro Strawberry Ice Cream Float

Print

Make this delightful retro ice cream float recipe using a syrup made from Jello!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 3-ounce box strawberry Jello
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• carbonated water

Instructions

1. Dissolve one 3-ounce box of strawberry Jello in 1 cup hot water.
2. Add 1/2 cup cold water.
3. Put 1 scoop of ice cream in a mug or tall glass.
4. Top with 1/4 cup of the strawberry syrup.
5. Add another scoop of ice cream
6. Fill with carbonated water and stir until the ice cream melts slightly.
7. You can add more syrup if it's not sweet enough.

Notes

This is a light drink when made with carbonated water and 1/4 cup syrup. If you want it sweeter you can add more syrup to taste or use strawberry soda in place of carbonated water.

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