• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop

The Worktop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Christmas Breakfast Ideas
  • All Breakfast Recipes
  • Easy Ideas
  • Brunch Ideas
  • Meet Tina
  • By Category
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home / Breakfast and Brunch Recipes / Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Coffee Float

    Jun 10, 2017 · Last Updated: Nov 29, 2021

    Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Coffee Float

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

    Sharing is caring!

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Ice cream and coffee go together in this delicious recipe. This very simple ice cream coffee float packs a punch of flavor and energy with only five ingredients.

    Caramel ice cream in a cup with espresso on the side

    Ice cream and coffee go together in this fun recipe

    A hot weekend (or hot summer) morning calls for a cool ice cream coffee float! This very simple recipe for a Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Float packs a punch of flavor and energy. 

    It's the perfect companion to laze around with on a hot summer morning. Even better, it's an incredibly easy ice cream and coffee recipe with only five ingredients.

    Caramel ice cream and coffee together to make a float

    An ice cream coffee float is easy to make and delicious

    This coffee float idea takes inspiration from some of my favorite drinks.

    First, it's similar to the Italian affogato. An affogato is a scoop of vanilla gelato "drowned" in a shot of hot espresso.

    It's also takes a bit from the famous root beer float. You know, the classic scoop of vanilla ice cream in root beer.

    Unlike an affogato though, this recipe does not use vanilla gelato. Instead, this float uses a scoop of caramel ice cream.

    This recipe is also not purely just coffee and ice cream together. I add a little bit of sparkling water to give it a bit of fizz. In that manner, it makes it a real float.

    However this recipe came about, when you combine ice cream and fizz and espresso together, you get a drink that is bound to put a spring in your step.

    A scoop of ice cream on top of espresso

    How to make ice cream coffee float

    I almost felt like I didn't need to write out a proper recipe for this post because it sounds simple to combine ice cream, espresso and fizz together. But it turns out there was some trial and error involved.

    So I hope these tips below help you get a perfect drink together on the first try.

    Best way to combine ice cream and coffee

    There are two ways to do make a coffee float. First, you can pour the espresso over the ice cream. Second, you can plop the ice cream into a glass of espresso.

    Which way is best? Here's my tried and tested method.

    • Chill a glass in the refrigerator or freezer.
    • Add in the espresso.
    • Plop the ice cream into it when you are ready to serve.
    • As a finishing touch, top it with fizzy water.
    • Last, add a generous pinch of sea salt

    Pouring coffee on top of ice cream

    So if you are curious, what happens if you do it the other way around? Why don't I recommend pouring the coffee on top of the scoop of ice cream?

    Take a look at the picture below. When I pour the coffee over the ice cream, it creates a bit of a dent in the ice cream.

    It's not a deal breaker though. That's because when you pour the sparkling water on top, it will create a layer of foam. The foam will likely cover up any imperfections in the ice cream scoop.

    But adding the ice cream in on top of the espresso will give you the perfect scoop.

    A bit of sparkling water makes this coffee float foamy

    Sparkling water makes this recipe a real coffee float. When the sparkling water hits the coffee and ice cream, it will kick up a burst of fizz.

    As such, you get a thick creamy layer of foam on top.

    Pouring coffee on top of ice cream to make a float

    What kind of ice cream to use in this coffee float?

    Chose a caramel ice cream that you love for this recipe. The caramel burnt sugar taste in the ice cream works beautifully with this recipe. It gives it enough sweetness.

    Some brands of caramel ice cream will also include bits of  chewy texture from fragments of caramel. Those bits are delicious when you bite into it. So don't shy away from a caramel ice cream that has add-ins.

    I love using either Ben and Jerry and Häagen-Dazs brand.

    What kind of coffee to use?

    Any sort of espresso will work with ice cream. However, it's best to use one that goes well with milk.

    If you don't have an espresso maker, there's 2 different options that I tend to use as espresso substitutes.

    First, you can make cold brew coffee concentrate at home. My step-by-step guide will help you make a cold brew concentrate that can be used as espresso in various coffee recipes.

    Second, you can easily buy cold brew concentrate at the store. Your local coffee shop might sell some you can purchase.

    Here is one of my favorites that is widely available. Amazon even sells it.

    Are you thinking about buying an espresso maker? Here's my review of the Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine.

    Why I add sea salt and vanilla

    Lastly, to give your tastebuds a bit of a surprise and to temper the sweetness of the ice cream, sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top.

    The vanilla syrup gives this Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Float a fragranced sweetness.

    Coffee float in a glass cup ready to serve

    Enjoy this ice cream coffee float

    I really hope you enjoy this fun coffee recipe! Any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments below.

    Love coffee? Here are a few more coffee recipes that you may love:

    • Cafe Bombon
    • Maple Pecan Latte
    • Vegan Bullet Coffee
    Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Float | The Worktop

    Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Float

    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Serves: 1 cup
    Prep: 5 minutes mins
    Total: 5 minutes mins
    This Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Float packs a punch of flavor and energy. It's the perfect companion to laze around with on a hot summer morning. Incredibly simple to make with only five ingredients.

    Ingredients

    • 2 shots espresso
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
    • 2 big scoops caramel flavor ice cream
    • 2-4 ounces sparkling water
    • 1 pinch sea salt

    Instructions

    • Mix the espresso and the vanilla syrup together in the serving cup. To cool it off quickly, set the cup inside a bowl of cool water. If you have time, set the cup in the refrigerator and chill. The recipe will work as long as the espresso is not too hot.
    • When you are ready to serve, top the espresso with 2 scoops of caramel ice cream. Gently pour in the sparkling water. Top with a pinch of sea salt. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    If you don't have an espresso maker, you can also use this cold brew coffee concentrate. 
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Author: The Worktop
    Cal : 294kcal
    Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
    Love this?I would appreciate a star review! Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram using #theworktop and tagging me @theworktop.
    Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Float - A hot summer morning calls for a cool Coffee Float. This very simple recipe for a Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Float packs a punch of flavor and energy with only five ingredients. Recipe from www.theworktop.com. #coffee #coffeefloat #summertime
    « Magenta Pink Pickled Eggs
    Vegan Carrot Cake with Coconut Yogurt Icing »

    By Tina Jui
    Filed Under: Breakfast and Brunch Recipes, Breakfast Drinks, Father's Day Brunch Recipes, Gluten Free, No Cook, Quick and Easy Brunches, Summer Breakfast Recipes, Valentine's Day Brunch Recipes, VegetarianTags: coffee, ice cream, vanilla

    About Tina Jui

    A breakfast lover and food blogger. Tina develops everyday breakfast recipes on The Worktop, and writes about all things related to breakfast and brunch. Read more about Tina Jui or drop an email to say hi.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brandi Crawford says

      June 12, 2017 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Floats are perfect for summer! I haven't seen a coffee one. how creative!

      Reply
    2. Julie says

      June 12, 2017 at 6:22 am

      5 stars
      Wow! I'm sure I could start every morning with one of those
      Thanks for sharing
      Julie
      ThermoKitchen

      Reply
    3. Matt @ Plating Pixels says

      June 12, 2017 at 6:12 am

      Yum! Looks like a perfect dessert for hosting. Wish my morning could always start like this.

      Reply
    4. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says

      June 12, 2017 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      Ohhh yum! I love coffee ice cream so I think I'd love this caramel float! Perfect for summer!

      Reply
    5. Sarah says

      June 12, 2017 at 12:23 am

      This sounds like the most perfect way to start any and every morning of summer. Sign me up!

      Reply
    5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Hi, I'm Tina and a lover of breakfast! The Worktop is where I share my everyday breakfast recipes. You can find lots of breakfasts and brunch ideas on my site. Many of the recipes are easy to make and healthy, but of course, you'll also find big brunch indulgences.

    More about The Worktop →

    Popular Breakfast Recipes

    • Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole - Easy Recipe | The Worktop
      Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
    • Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk | The Worktop #breakfast #GF #vegan
      Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk (Vegan, GF)
    • Instant Pot Congee Chicken Rice Recipe | The Worktop
      Instant Pot Congee - Chicken and Rice
    • Glazed Donuts Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat
      Original Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)

    Hi, I'm Tina and a lover of breakfast! The Worktop is where I share my everyday breakfast recipes. You can find lots of breakfasts and brunch ideas on my site. Many of the recipes are easy to make and healthy, but of course, you'll also find big brunch indulgences.

    More about The Worktop →

    Popular Breakfast Recipes

    • Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole - Easy Recipe | The Worktop
      Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
    • Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk | The Worktop #breakfast #GF #vegan
      Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk (Vegan, GF)
    • Instant Pot Congee Chicken Rice Recipe | The Worktop
      Instant Pot Congee - Chicken and Rice
    • Glazed Donuts Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat
      Original Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Visit our sister site Home Time Activities

    As Featured On

    The Worktop Featured On Banner - Taste of Home, Buzzfeed, Decor, The Bump, FeedFeed

    Stay Connected

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2013-2024 Rainbow Rice LLC. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.