This Festive Peppermint Christmas Float is the kind of simple, joyful drink that became part of our family celebrations the first time we made it. I discovered this combination during a chaotic holiday party when I needed a quick, showy beverage that would please adults and kids alike. The drink is a playful balance of fizzy lemon-lime soda, velvety vanilla ice cream, and just a whisper of peppermint to make it unmistakably seasonal. Every year, it resurfaces at our gatherings as an easy centerpiece: it tastes like a cold, creamy candy cane in a glass and brings that childhood sparkle back to the table.

What I love most is how quickly it comes together and how the textures contrast—the effervescent soda lifts the creaminess of the ice cream into a light, frothy float, while a sharp note of peppermint cuts through the sweetness. It’s festive without being fussy, and it’s reliable when you need a crowd-pleasing treat that looks special but takes minutes. I usually set up a little float station and let guests top their own glasses, which makes the experience interactive and wonderfully nostalgic.

Ingredients

• Whole milk: 3 tablespoons of whole milk adds a touch of dairy richness to help the float be creamier when the ice cream melts. I use a splash from a local brand for freshness, but any whole milk works well.
• Peppermint extract: 1/4 teaspoon gives a bright, seasonal lift. Use a pure extract rather than an imitation for a clean, sharp mint note; start small and taste because extracts vary in strength.
• Vanilla ice cream: 16 ounces (1 pound; about 2 cups) of a high-quality vanilla provides a creamy base and vanilla aroma. I like brands with real vanilla bean flecks for visual appeal, but classic smooth vanilla is perfect.
• 7 Up (or lemon-lime soda): 50.7 fluid ounces (approx. 1.5 liters or about 6 1/3 cups). Chilled very cold, the soda gives lift and citrus brightness. Use a fresh, cold bottle for maximum fizz when assembling.
• Crushed peppermint candy: For garnish, crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces add color, crunch, and a festive touch; use around 1/4 cup for a bowl, more for heavy garnishing.

Instructions

Prepare the punch bowl:Place a large, clean punch bowl or serving jar on a stable surface. Pre-chill the bowl for 10–15 minutes in the refrigerator if your kitchen is warm; this helps slow ice cream melt and keeps the soda fizzy longer.Mix the peppermint base:In a measuring pitcher, whisk together 3 tablespoons whole milk and 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract until combined. This tiny amount of milk smooths the texture when ice cream melts into the soda; take care not to overdo the peppermint—you want a hint, not a punch.Combine with soda:Pour the chilled 7 Up into the punch bowl, then stir in the milk-and-peppermint mixture gently to keep as much carbonation as possible. If you prefer a lighter soda presence, reserve 1 cup of 7 Up to top glasses for extra fizz at serving.Add ice cream:Scoop the vanilla ice cream into the soda-filled bowl or directly into individual glasses. Use rounded scoops—2 per serving for a generous float—and work quickly so the ice cream floats beautifully on the soda rather than sinking.Garnish and serve:Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over each glass, and serve immediately with a spoon and straw. Encourage guests to stir gently for a cloudlike froth and to enjoy the contrast of cold cream and sparkling soda.

Storage Tips

Because of the carbonation and ice cream, assembled servings should be consumed immediately. If you need to prepare components ahead, whisk together the milk and peppermint with the soda and chill in the fridge for up to 4 hours in a sealed pitcher; keep the ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer and only scoop when ready to serve. Leftover soda base can be kept sealed for up to 48–72 hours, but avoid shaking or opening repeatedly to preserve carbonation. Use airtight containers for any crushed peppermint candy (up to 2 weeks) and store at room temperature away from humidity to prevent clumping. When reheating or refreshing a partially melted float, use fresh ice cream and chilled soda rather than microwaving—heat destroys carbonation and the drink loses its character.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you need dairy-free options, swap the vanilla ice cream for a coconut milk vanilla or almond milk-based ice cream and use dairy-free milk for the 3 tablespoons—note the flavor will be subtly coconutty or nutty. For a less sweet float, use club soda plus a splash of lemon syrup or 50/50 mix of 7 Up and sparkling water. If you’d like a stronger mint profile, increase peppermint extract to 1/2 teaspoon but mix with the milk first and taste—peppermint can quickly become overpowering. For adults, replace 1 cup of soda with sparkling wine or add a tablespoon of peppermint schnapps per 6–8 servings for a spirited version.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in clear glass tumblers or tall soda fountain glasses so the layers show—the creamy scoop floating above the effervescent liquid looks festive. Garnish with a whole mini candy cane on the rim, a sprig of fresh mint for color, or a dusting of edible glitter for a party. Pair with gingerbread cookies, shortbread, or a slice of spiced bundt cake to complement the peppermint notes. For a kid-friendly dessert station, provide different sprinkles, crushed candies, and cookie crumbs to build-your-own floats.

Cultural Background

Floats have their roots in the early American soda fountain era where scoops of ice cream were paired with carbonated syrups to create simple desserts. The peppermint variation draws on winter holiday flavors—peppermint and vanilla—that are associated with Christmas in many Western traditions. This modern take uses a mainstream lemon-lime soda and a touch of extract to recreate that soda fountain charm at home with holiday flair.

Seasonal Adaptations

In winter, keep the peppermint theme but try swapping vanilla for eggnog ice cream and use ginger ale instead of lemon-lime soda for warmth. For summer, switch the peppermint to a light lemon zest and use lemon sorbet with chilled 7 Up for a bright, cooling float. Around Valentine’s Day, add a drizzle of cherry syrup and a maraschino cherry garnish for a seasonal twist that still retains the celebratory fizz.

Meal Prep Tips

Prep the mint-soda base up to 4 hours in advance and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Scoop ice cream into an insulated container for brief holding if you have to stage service, but avoid room-temperature delays. Set up a topping station with crushed peppermint candy, mini chocolate chips, and broken shortbread pieces so guests can personalize. Use a wide-mouth ladle or large spoon to portion the soda base into glasses and finish with ice cream right before passing the drinks around.

Making this float has become a simple ritual that brings a playful note to the table; it’s easy to scale, pleasing to many palates, and full of holiday cheer. Give it a try at your next gathering and encourage guests to mix and match toppings—the shared smiles make it worth the few minutes of prep.