Few desserts capture the joy of summer — or any season — quite like the Vanilla-Berry Ice Cream Float “Twist”. This irresistible recipe combines creamy vanilla soft-serve, fizzy homemade berry soda, and fresh British berries. It creates a dessert drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Crafted using the premium Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix 2 L, it delivers that signature soft-serve texture and a slow-melt finish. This holds perfectly in warm weather. And because its flavour is timeless, you can enjoy this creamy, fizzy indulgence all year round. It fits from sunny garden parties to cosy winter dinners.
A Dessert for All Seasons
This isn’t just a summer dessert — it’s an all-year-round indulgence. In spring and summer, the fizzy berry soda keeps things light and refreshing. In autumn and winter, serve it with warm berry compote. Or you can drizzle it with hot chocolate sauce for a comforting twist.
The combination of creamy vanilla soft-serve, sparkling soda, and fresh fruit makes this dessert timeless, versatile, and always crowd-pleasing. Thanks to Arla’s Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix, it also stays picture-perfect longer — ideal for entertaining, catering, or home enjoyment.
Recipe
This dessert is easy to prepare, fun to serve, and endlessly adaptable — the perfect addition to your Nicol Retailer Limited recipe collection:
Vanilla-Berry Ice Cream Float Twist
Ingredients
For the Soft Ice Cream:
- 600 ml 600 ml Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Homemade Sparkling Berry Soda (makes 400 ml):
- 100 g strawberries, chopped
- 50 g raspberries
- 50 g blueberries
- 2 tbsp caster sugar (or to taste)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 250 ml sparkling water (chilled)
- Ice cubes (optional)
For Assembly:
- Fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries (about 1 cup total)
- 4 mint sprigs for garnish
- 4 tall dessert glasses
- Paper straws
Instructions
Make the Sparkling Berry Soda
- Add strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a small saucepan.
- Simmer on low-medium heat for 5–7 minutes until the berries release their juices and soften.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract as much syrup as possible.
- Allow the syrup to cool completely, then mix with chilled sparkling water just before serving.
- Optional: Adjust sweetness with a little more syrup or sugar to taste.
Prepare the Ice Cream
- Pour 600 ml of Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix into your soft-serve machine and churn until thick and creamy.
- No machine? Freeze the mix in a shallow container for 1–1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes until it reaches soft-serve texture.
Assemble the Floats
- Add a few fresh berries to the bottom of each glass.
- Pour in about 100 ml of the homemade sparkling berry soda.
- Add one large swirl (or scoop) of soft ice cream.
- Top with more berries and a mint sprig.
- Add a straw and serve immediately — watch the fizz bubble up beautifully!
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
he Vanilla-Berry Ice Cream Float “Twist” is wonderfully versatile — a dessert drink that’s as fitting at a summer BBQ as it is after a festive roast dinner. With its mix of creamy vanilla soft-serve and fruity fizz, it complements a wide variety of flavours, making it an easy centrepiece for any menu or celebration. Below are some delicious ways to serve and pair this dessert for maximum impact.
Sweet Treat Pairings
- Classic Shortbread Biscuits – Crisp, buttery, and lightly sweet, shortbread is the perfect companion for a creamy dessert. Its crumbly texture contrasts beautifully with the smoothness of the ice cream float.
- Mini Meringues or Pavlova Pieces – Add crunch and sweetness with crushed meringue. It is especially lovely when topped with extra berry syrup for a touch of decadence.
- Lemon Drizzle Cake – The light citrus notes of a classic British lemon drizzle pair wonderfully with the soft vanilla base. They enhance the tangy berries.
- Sponge Fingers or Madeleines – Elegant and airy, these delicate cakes soak up the fizzy berry soda. They do this just enough to enhance each bite.
- Vanilla or Almond Wafers – Add a nostalgic touch with wafer rolls or almond biscuits — ideal for dipping into the creamy layers.
Flavour Add-Ons & Seasonal Twists
Summer: Add crushed pistachios, toasted coconut, or a drizzle of mango syrup for a tropical flair. Serve with grilled peaches or nectarines for an alfresco dessert.
Autumn: Drizzle caramel or maple syrup over the ice cream for a toffee-apple twist. -Pair with cinnamon shortbread or spiced apple crumble bites.
Winter: Replace the chilled soda with warm berry compote or mulled fruit syrup. Add grated dark chocolate or a splash of Irish cream liqueur for a comforting, grown-up version.
Spring: Use fresh rhubarb syrup or add edible flowers such as violets or pansies for a floral touch.
How to Serve for Impact
For Home Entertaining: Use tall clear glasses or mason jars to show off the colourful layers. Add a reusable straw and serve on small dessert plates with biscuits on the side.
For Parties or Catering: Prepare the berry syrup and soda in advance, and churn the ice cream just before serving. Offer toppings such as chocolate flakes, chopped nuts, or fruit purees so guests can customise their floats.
Expert Tip from Nicol Retailer Limited:
Because Arla Slower Melt Soft Ice Mix holds its texture longer than standard soft ice, you can serve this dessert confidently at buffets, outdoor events, or high-volume service — no more melting mess before your guests dig in!