Easy Dairy-Free Ice Cream Float Recipe (3 Ingredients!)

Nothing says summer quite like a refreshing ice cream float! Whether you’re hosting a pool party, planning a girls’ night or simply craving a sweet treat, this dairy-free ice cream float recipe is the perfect combination of creamy, fizzy and delicious. Best of all? You only need three ingredients! I originally made these summer floats for a girls’ night filled with manicures, catching up and a 13 Going on 30 movie marathon. Anyone else still obsessed with that movie?! My girlfriends loved them, and I’ve been a fan of this easy, non-alcoholic summer treat ever since. If you’re looking for a fun dairy-free dessert or refreshing summer drink, here’s how to make your own Dr Pepper ice cream float in minutes!

Dairy-Free Ice Cream Float Ingredients

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 floats

One of my favourite things about this recipe is how incredibly easy it is to make. No blender, complicated ingredients or fancy equipment required!

You’ll Need:

• 8 scoops dairy-free vanilla coconut milk ice cream (4 scoops per glass)
• 24 oz Dr Pepper or root beer (approximately 12 oz per glass)
• 2 fresh strawberries for garnish

Optional: Cute serving glasses and colourful reusable straws.

You can also substitute oat milk or almond milk ice cream if you prefer. Just make sure your chosen ice cream is dairy-free and check the labels if you’re preparing this recipe for someone with food allergies.

How to Make a Dairy-Free Ice Cream Float

Step 1: Add Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream

Start by adding approximately four scoops of dairy-free vanilla ice cream to each glass. I love using coconut milk ice cream because it has a rich, creamy texture that pairs beautifully with fizzy soft drinks. It’s also a delicious alternative to traditional vanilla ice cream if you’re avoiding dairy. Oat milk ice cream works well, too! You can find dairy-free ice cream at many grocery stores, including Walmart, depending on your location and what’s in stock.

Step 2: Slowly Pour in Dr Pepper or Root Beer

Next, slowly pour your favourite soft drink over the ice cream. I love using Dr Pepper because its cherry-like notes pair perfectly with creamy vanilla ice cream. It creates a deliciously sweet, fizzy summer float that feels like a nostalgic childhood treat! For this recipe, I used most of a 12-ounce bottle per glass. Pour a little at a time because the soda will foam as soon as it touches the ice cream. If you prefer a more traditional flavour, root beer is another delicious option. Either way, you’ll end up with a creamy dairy-free ice cream float that’s perfect for summer.

Step 3: Add a Strawberry Garnish and Serve

Now for the fun part: making your ice cream float look extra cute! Add a colourful straw and garnish each glass with a fresh strawberry. I love the pop of colour, especially when serving these drinks at a girls’ night or summer party. Serve immediately while the ice cream is cold and the soda is bubbly. Give everything a gentle stir before sipping if you prefer a creamier consistency. And voilà! Your homemade dairy-free summer float is ready to enjoy!

Easy Dairy-Free Ice Cream Float Variations

Want to switch things up? One of the best things about homemade ice cream floats is how easy they are to customize. Here are a few fun combinations to try at your next summer gathering.

Classic Dairy-Free Root Beer Float: Combine root beer with dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic, creamy treat.

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream Float: Use Dr Pepper and dairy-free vanilla ice cream, then garnish with fresh cherries.

Orange Creamsicle Float: Pair orange soda with dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a sweet, citrusy dessert inspired by a classic creamsicle.

Strawberry Soda Float: Combine strawberry soda with dairy-free vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberry slices for a pretty pink summer drink.

Chocolate Cherry Float: Try dairy-free chocolate ice cream with Dr Pepper for a rich, chocolate-cherry flavour combination.

If you’re hosting friends who prefer something lighter and fruitier, you’ll also love my Starbucks-inspired strawberry watermelon iced tea recipe. It’s another refreshing summer drink that’s perfect for sharing!

One of my favourite things about hosting a girls’ night is adding little details that make everything feel special. Cute glasses, colourful straws and a stylish bar cart can turn a simple three-ingredient recipe into something that looks party-ready. Many of the original items featured in this post were available at Walmart when I first shared this recipe. The bar cart pictured in my photos has since sold out online, but I also loved this gold 2-tier bar cart for only $79 and this larger bar cart a little over $100. Prices and availability may have changed since the original publication.