Buzz
Now that summer’s unofficially here, you’re probably eyeing which fun, stylish wine drink could finally replace frosé. While this chilled treat might take a little more faith, it checks all the boxes for a perfect summer drink – it’s visually appealing, refreshingly cold, and bursting with flavor. Get ready to break out the corkscrews and ice cream scoops – this is the summer of vibrant wine floats.
Dropping ice cream into wine may seem like a questionable move, and I totally get the hesitation. I was all set to be repulsed by the wine float. In fact, I took my first sip over the sink, just in case my body couldn’t handle it. But the moment I tasted it, all my doubts vanished. The wine float gives a nostalgic twist to a classy drink, minus the overwhelming sweetness of soda. With the right balance of ingredients, you control the sweetness and fruity kick of your float.
Making a wine float is easy. Start with a full glass of wine, about five ounces. Add a scoop of ice cream (or a similar frozen treat), then pour a splash of seltzer or club soda over it. Watch as it bubbles and fizzes into a stunning concoction, especially with red wine. Finish it off with a garnish of fresh fruit and a spoon, so you can enjoy the ice cream before it melts.
The float can be easily customized depending on the type of wine and ice cream used, as well as the proportions. For a sweeter, more indulgent summer drink, try combining roscato wine with raspberry sorbet. Top it off with a splash of seltzer and taste. If it's too wine-heavy or tart, simply add more seltzer.
I’m not a fan of overly sweet drinks, so I picked a wine that’s dry yet fruity. I chose Mark West Pinot Noir, which the label describes as having "delightful aromas of black cherry, strawberry, and plum." Sounds perfect for a float. To keep things simple, I grabbed a pint of Talenti Madagascar Vanilla Bean gelato, poured, scooped, and splashed, letting the float surprise me.
The initial fizz and vibrant pink hue are enough to make this drink perfect for serving friends. The flavor alone makes it worth enjoying solo. The wine greeted my palate first, but it was a lighter, more effervescent version of its usual self, thanks to the bubbly seltzer. The ice cream appeared more subtly than I expected – it didn’t transform the drink into a creamsicle, but adding another scoop would surely bring that flavor. The ice cream served as a frothy topper, adding creaminess without fully blending into the wine (at least, not at first).
I can easily picture myself sipping one of these on a summer day. The seltzer reduces the alcohol content, so I won't immediately get a headache, and the ice cream brings it closer to the carefree realm of slushy cocktails. Chill your wine in the freezer ahead of time and prepare your wine floats fresh, so you can enjoy the fizz before it fades and the ice cream before it melts.
Summer Wine Float
Ingredients:
5 ounces of chilled wine (Pinot Noir, Malbec, Gamay, or Syrah)
1 scoop of ice cream (sorbet, dairy-free, or gelato)
A splash of seltzer water
Pour the wine into a glass. Add a scoop of ice cream, then top with seltzer. Enjoy immediately.
