Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Coffee Float

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

5 from 4 votes

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Serves: 1 cup

Prep: 5 mins

Total: 5 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.

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