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4th of July Soda Floats

Cindy Ensley
Updated May 14, 2013
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Pure Americana in a glass, our 4th of July Soda Floats include homemade ice cream and made-from-scratch strawberry and blueberry syrups.

4th of July Soda Floats

  • Prep Time 60 min
  • Total 3 hr 0 min
  • Servings 4
  • Ingredients 16
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Ingredients

Ice Cream

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons grated lemon peel (1 medium)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup whipping cream

Strawberry Syrup

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Blueberry Syrup

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Soda water

Garnish

  • Whipped cream
  • Candy sprinkles

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup lemon juice, the honey and lemon peel over medium-high heat until sugar and honey are dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; set aside.
  • Step 
    2
    In medium bowl, beat milk and cornstarch with whisk until smooth and no lumps remain. Beat in whipping cream. Pour mixture into saucepan with syrup; beat well. Heat over medium-high heat, beating constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  • Step 
    3
    Pour mixture into heatproof bowl. Prepare ice bath in clean sink basin or large bowl; place bowl with mixture in ice bath. Beat mixture until cool to the touch, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Step 
    4
    Process mixture in ice cream machine following manufacturers’ directions. Scrape ice cream into freezer container; seal and freeze until solid, at least 2 hours.
  • Step 
    5
    To make syrups, place chopped strawberries in 2-quart saucepan with 1/2 cup sugar. Heat over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, and berries soften and release their juices. Remove from heat. Press mixture through fine mesh strainer into bowl. Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Discard seeds and solids. Set syrup aside to cool. Repeat process with blueberries, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoons lemon juice.
  • Step 
    6
    To serve, layer generous scoops of ice cream with drizzles of both syrups in drinking glasses. Top with soda water; garnish with whipped cream and candy sprinkles. Best enjoyed sipped through a fun straw.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts are not available for this recipe

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