Boozy Creamsicle Float

Name: Boozy Creamsicle Float
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup vanilla ice cream (about 2-3 scoops or enough to fill the glass to your liking); ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1 oz. vodka; 1 oz. Triple Sec (or Grand Marnier); 4-6 oz. orange soda

This Creamsicle-inspired alcoholic drink is a refreshing Summer drink for the adults. Orange soda and vanilla ice cream is spiked with vodka and orange liqueur for this boozy creamsicle float.

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Spoon scooping vanilla ice cream and some orange soda fizz from a glass of boozy creamsicle float.

Looking for a delicious boozy drink for a warm summer’s day? Then this Boozy Creamsicle Float is the perfect choice! This orange creamsicle-inspired alcoholic drink boasts generous amounts of creamy vanilla ice cream, a combination of sweet orange liqueur and vodka, and is finished off with orange soda. In just 5 minutes and with only 5 simple ingredients, you can sit back and relax with a chilly creamsicle float.

Boozy creamsicle float in 2 tall glasses with orange soda behind and a white cloth.

This drink takes your 50/50 ice cream bar to a whole new level. Chill your glasses in the refrigerator or freezer prior to serving. This will keep the drink cooler for longer. Serve your boozy creamsicle float in a regular drinking glass or assemble it in a cute mason jar with a decorative straw and a slice of orange as garnish. It’s a great presentation for serving them at a party!

If you love creamy boozy drinks, you might give this Caribbean-inspired Coconut Rum Cocktail or our Peanut Butter Whiskey Root Beef Float a try.

🍊 Ingredients:

Vanilla ice cream about 2-3 scoops or enough to fill the glass to your liking
Vanilla extract – this really adds that classic creamsicle flavor.
Vodka – plain vodka, vanilla vodka, or an orange-flavored vodka will work
Triple Sec or Grand Marnier – orange liqueur is optional but adds a nice touch
Orange soda – use your favorite brand

For a full list of ingredients and their measurements, 📋 please view my printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Optional Garnish:

This really needs no garnish, but you can add an orange slice if you want to be extra fancy. A straw or a long spoon is a must, though.

Substitutions and Variations

Add other fruit flavors by changing up the flavor of your liqueurs and fruit-flavored soda! Grape and vanilla, strawberry, or cherry would all be delicious.
Add as much ice cream as you like but it looks the best with at least a couple of scoops of ice cream.
Adjust the quantity of liquor added to your float for a stronger or lighter drink.
Use a coconut-based or non-dairy ice cream to make a vegan or non-dairy float.
Make a non-alcoholic version by simply omitting the vodka and orange liquor in the creamsicle float recipe.

🔪 Instructions:

PREP: Gather your ingredients. Keep soda, vodka, and glasses chilled until you’re ready to prepare your orange creamsicle float.

Ice cream scoops in a glass with vanilla extract and bottles of orange soda.

Step 1: Mound several scoops of vanilla ice cream in a tall glass.

Photo collage adding liquors and vanilla extract to the glass of ice cream.

Step 2: Measure the vodka, orange liquor, and vanilla extract into the glass.

Pouring the orange soda over the ice cream in the creamsicle float with text "pour carefully."

Step 3: Slowly pour the orange soda over the vanilla ice cream to fill the glass. Wait for the bubbles to die down and add more soda to top the glass.

Boozy creamsicle float served in 3 tall glasses with striped straws, presented on a white marble surface with orange soda in the background.

Step 4: Serve immediately with a tall straw or a long spoon, just like in the old-fashioned soda shops!

Pro Tip: Pop your drink glasses into the freezer for 10-15 minutes before making the creamsicle floats. The chilled glasses will keep your boozy float cold a little bit longer.

Tips For Making Boozy Creamsicle Float

If you are serving these for a special occasion, consider serving them in something like Mason Jar Mugs (affil) with cute paper straws. You can also add a slice of orange to the rim of the glass.
Any brand or type of vodka will do – I personally prefer neutral vodka but you could also try vanilla vodka.
Both the Triple sec and Grand Marnier are great options for an orange liqueur with Grand Marnier being slightly stronger. If you’d prefer to omit the orange liqueur then simply double the quantity of vodka called for in this recipe.
Although vanilla extract is an optional ingredient in this boozy drink, I find that it boosts that classic creamsicle flavor.
The orange soda fizzes quite a bit when poured over the ice cream, so be sure to pour slowly and refill once the bubbles die down a bit.

Fun Fact

The original Creamsicle consists of vanilla ice cream coated with iced orange juice that’s placed on an ice lolly stick. The origin of the first popsicle dates back to the early 1900s. As the folktale goes, on a very cold night, 11-year old Frank Epperson forgetfully left a glass of orange soda powder mix and a stirring stick outdoors. It froze overnight, creating the first-ever popsicle. -SF Gate

Through some further experimentation, iced fruit juice coating vanilla ice cream on a popsicle stick was born. It grew to such popularity that Creamsicles have their own dedicated day on the calendar. You can celebrate Creamsicle Day on August 14th every year. Cheers!!

Thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of a young boy, today we get to enjoy the many “fruits” of his invention like popsicle-inspired drinks as well as other delicious frozen treats like these Fudgesicles!

How Should I Store Boozy Creamsicle Float?

You should serve this boozy creamsicle float immediately with a straw and/or long spoon.

Don’t let this drink sit out at room temperature before being served or the ice cream will melt. I don’t recommend making this drink ahead of time, not just for taste but also for food safety reasons. You’ll also lose the all-important chill factor!

Can I Make A Non-Alcoholic Version Of This Drink?

Absolutely! Simply omit the alcohol and you’re good to go! Alternatively, you may want to consider whipping up this homemade Orange Julius recipe for the kiddies.

What is a Boozy Creamsicle Float?

This creamy orange drink is inspired by the Creamsicle brand that so many of us have come to know and love. A frozen creamsicle comes to mind especially during hot summer months as a refreshingly cool sweet treat. In the early 1900s, 11-year old Frank Epperson forgetfully left a glass of orange soda powder mix and a stirring stick outdoors which froze overnight, creating the first-ever popsicle. Further experimentation with iced fruit juice coating vanilla ice cream on a popsicle stick gave us creamsicles!

SUMMER FUN BOOZY DRINKS

If you tried this Boozy Creamsicle Float or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the 📝 comments below.

5 from 46 votes

Created by: Stefanie