Summertime… when the living is easy. Or at least it was when I was a kid. I have fond memories of playing Red Rover, having dance contests to politically incorrect songs, working lemonade and brownie stands on 30th Drive, playing Wonder Woman in my underoos. Life was easy and carefree. As I got older, playing outside turned to sun tanning on tin foil with baby oil (hello, skin cancer), bleaching my hair with Sun In and listening to top 40 tunes (which are now considered retro/oldies…am I really that old??)
Even though the memories of the activities I participated in during the summer changed over time, there is one thing that was present all throughout my childhood during the summertime. My mom and her love of Ice Cream Soda floats. I cannot have an ice cream float without flashing back to being in the kitchen watching my mom pour the soda over the ice cream and watching the bubbles fiz up, almost pouring over the edge, but stopping just in time. For me, summer is not complete without our fair share of ice cream floats.
That’s why when Simple and Delicious magazine had this delicious looking Cherry Chocolate Float in their most recent issue, I knew I had to have one. My kids had never had an ice cream float, other than root beer, and I couldn’t wait to share with them what equals summertime to me.
What do you think about when you remember your childhood summers?
Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream Float from Simple and Delicious Magazine
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups carbonated water, chilled
- 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- Chocolate syrup
- 14 scoops chocolate ice cream
- Whipped cream in a can
- 7 maraschino cherries
- In a large saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Cool. Stir in carbonated water and cherry juice.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup in each of seven chilled glasses. Place two scoops of ice cream in each glass. Pour carbonated water mixture over ice cream; top each with whipped cream and a cherry. Serve immediately. Yield: 7 servings.
Red Rover! Ah, the days… I remember playing outside all day long with my sisters – riding bikes, tether ball, pretend games in the playhouse. We took an annual family vacation in August for a week or two – it was fun to have some time when everyone wasn’t shuttling off to work and separate activities and explore some new place together.
I forgot to mention – what a gorgeous photo, Kristen!
.-= Kathy – Panini Happy´s last blog ..Pulled BBQ Chicken Panini =-.
We must be close in age, because those are my memories too. Oh, the baby oil! What were we thinking???
This float looks awesome ~ great photo. Perfect for hot summer days!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Birthday cake ice cream =-.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a ROOT BEER float before! Which is fine actually because I don’t really like root beer. But I love the sound of this! And I miss playing red rover too.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..Pesto Rice Salad and Spicy Stuffed Peppers =-.
I soooooooo am going to try this! It looks so “soda fountain!” I had Wonder Woman underroos too!
How about duck duck goose? I remember sitting on the curb with friends…being boy crazy…and sleeping late
Yeah, I think I need one of those RIGHT NOW. This summer has been hard. What I would give to be a kid again just for a few weeks. My kids certainly aren’t appreciating the fact that it’s summer and that’s the time for fun. Wish I could kick back with you and enjoy a float!
.-= Katie @ goodLife {eats}´s last blog ..Date Night In with goodLife {eats} + Shabby Apple =-.
Wow, this looks awesome! This is a low calorie float right??? 🙂
.-= Debbi Does Dinner Healthy´s last blog ..Lentil Sloppy Joes =-.
These look fabulous…I love when food brings back such fond memories!
.-= Jamie | My Baking Addiction´s last blog ..Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars =-.
I remember everyone in the neighborhood lying on foil covered in oil. What were people thinking? What’s more scary is that they’re bringing 80’s fashion back. It’s awful. But I digress. I am a huge fan of ice cream sodas and this one looks particularly delicious. Great photo too!
Oh I’m with you on Red Rover and lemonade stands and Sun In! I remember trying desperately to get as blond as possible with it (I always stayed hopelessly brunette). Chocolate and cherries is a classic combo and so good. Now I want an ice cream soda!
.-= Hopie´s last blog ..Cherry Almond Muffins =-.
OH my I do remember growing up on many of these floats! it was the “in” drink for us 12+ kids at that time. LOL! you have taken me back! thanks!
Baby oil and tin foil…yes. And I’m paying for it now.
Sun In must have been after my time ( Guess I’m older than you!) because we all combed straight peroxide through our hair.
Does any drug store even have soda fountains any more? I think my last float was at a soda fountain. My mom never made them.
This looks dreamily, summery good!
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..Fathers and Grandfathers =-.
Okay, you’ve gotta make me one of these! It looks delish.
yum!!!!!!!!!!! i moved around a lot while i was growing up so my memories are different for each place, but the smell of salt water air on a warm, breezy day does it for me everytime!!!!!!!!
I can’t tell you how many years it’s been since I had a float. My dad always loved root beer floats—perhaps I’ll have one in honor of him this Father’s day!
This might sound weird, but when I saw Grease as a kid, for some reason, Danny Zuko’s order at the diner stuck out to me. He ordered a chocolate ice cream with a cherry soda, and I always thought that it came in the form of a float, so I always ate chocolate ice cream cherry soda floats (it later occurred to me that the ice cream and soda might not have been in the same glass). My family thought it was really gross and weird, but you’ve provided proof that it’s actually a real thing! Thanks for the recipe – it sounds much better than what my pre-teen imagination concocted!
I always think of homemade ice cream…which would go perfect with this recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
YUM! I tried this and this was great! Went really well with the Chicken Balmoral recipe that I made on Friday night. As I was struggling to look for a good dessert to serve, this was ideal.
There is nothing like eating ice cream on the porch in summertime.
Wow, great job here. Awesome picture too! You should really consider submitting this to Recipe4Living’s Summertime Sipper Contest! It looks delicious!
This looks like the most yummiest ice cream I have ever seen.
Wow, such a perfect treat for summer in Chicago. I might just have to make this one for my girlfriends 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Take care,
Jessica
Tried this & it’s yummy! Thanks!
I live in Miami. It is now September and the heat is killing me. This little recipe will surely do the trick. I don’t know if you took the picture but it looks very good too. Very pro.