Pina Colada Floats
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Pina Colada Floats are the easy and family-friendly version of everyone’s favorite Pina Colada! Pineapple sherbet, coconut milk, and lemon-lime soda take just a few minutes to combine and enjoy. Try these for a summer party—or anytime you want some vacation vibes!
Move on over Root Beer Floats because you have met your top competitor! Pina Colada Floats. They are out of this world incredible! Floats are always a big hit with kids, but even adults can get behind this beachy treat. You’ll feel like you’re lounging poolside with the sun on your skin with the very first sip.
Family-Friendly Pina Colada Floats
Fresh pineapple sherbet is drenched with a mixture of lemon-lime soda, creamy coconut milk, and coconut flavor for a delightful float that contains the most coveted flavors of the tropics. I can tell you beforehand this is going to be one of my summertime favorites. It is such a fun, exciting twist on a classic.
It’s an easy party punch for a summer bash or pool party, but if you want to make it in the dead of winter to pretend it’s summer vacation… I won’t tell. Adding a wedge of pineapple on the edge is a fun garnish, and silly straws are extra festive for kids. I’ve also thought about sprinkling coconut flakes on top or swirling in a spoonful of crushed canned pineapple! Topping it with a maraschino cherry in a tall glass will also give you that grown-up Pina Colada vibe.
Other variations could be using a pineapple soda, which I occasionally see at my local stores, coconut sorbet or coconut milk-based ice cream, or blending up frozen pineapple for a healthier icy treat.
Go on now, it’s time to kick back in the warm sun rays that are finally coming out of hibernation, and enjoy one of these utterly refreshing Pina Colada Floats.
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Pina Colada Floats
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp coconut milk
- 1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp imitation coconut extract or flavor
- 1/2 cup lemon lime flavored soda , such as Sprite
- 1/2 cup pineapple sherbet , recipe follows*
Pineapple Sherbet
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk , well chilled
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt , well chilled
- 2 Tbsp light corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp heavy cream , well chilled
- 3 cups chilled pineapple puree that has been forced through a fine sieve , from 1 large pineapple**
Instructions
- In a bowl whisk together coconut milk, sugar and imitation coconut extract. Stir mixture about 30 seconds until sugar dissolves. Pour lemon lime soda into mixture and give it a quick stir (you just don't want to stir out the carbonation so barely stir once you add the soda just to combine ingredients). Scoop pineapple sherbet into a glass then pour soda mixture over sherbet. Serve immediately.
- *If you don't have an ice cream maker you could also use store bought pineapple sherbet, but if you do then I think the homemade sherbet is a must =). My recipe for Pineapple Sherbet is mostly pineapple where as store bought is often mostly water and sugar.
- Recipe Source: Easy Cooking Zone
Pineapple Sherbet
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturers directions. Freeze mixture until firm about 3 hours.
- **To make the puree, peel and core a pineapple. Dice pineapple and place in a food processor. Puree pineapple 1-2 minutes until very smooth. Force puree through a fine sieve into a bowl, then measure out 3 cups for recipe and chill completely.
- Recipe Source: Easy Cooking Zone