Everyone keeps asking me for this caramel apple cider float recipe after I posted a picture on Instagram last week. So here goes nothing. Honestly, I stumbled onto this by accident when I had leftover apple cider from a bonfire party and way too much vanilla ice cream in my freezer.
The first time I made this? Total mess. I poured the cider too fast and it fizzed everywhere because I didn’t realize cold ice cream + fizzy drinks = kitchen disaster. My counter looked like an apple cider explosion happened. But once I figured out the right way to do it (spoiler: pour slowly), this became my go-to fall treat.
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What Makes This Apple Cider Float Recipe Special
Now, here’s the thing about this caramel apple cider float recipe—it’s stupid simple. Like, almost embarrassingly simple. Three main ingredients. Five minutes. That’s it.
But the flavor? It tastes like fall decided to throw a party in your mouth and invited all your favorite cozy things. The cold, creamy vanilla ice cream mixed with the spiced apple cider and that sweet, salty caramel drizzle… it’s just chef’s kiss.
My neighbor Sarah tried one last weekend and literally asked if I’d gotten it from some fancy dessert place downtown. Nope. Made it in my kitchen while wearing sweatpants and watching reality TV. That’s the beauty of this thing.
Shopping for Your Homemade Caramel Apple Cider Float
Here’s what you need for this easy caramel apple cider float:
- 1 cup sparkling apple cider or ginger ale (I usually use ginger ale because it’s cheaper and easier to find)
- ½ cup apple cider (the real stuff—dark and cloudy, not that clear apple juice nonsense)
- 2-3 scoops vanilla ice cream (don’t cheap out here, get the good stuff)
- 3-4 tablespoons caramel sauce (I use Ghirardelli but honestly whatever you like)
- Optional: whipped cream, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg
About that apple cider—this is where most people mess up. You want actual apple cider, the kind that looks murky and brown and is only around in fall. It should say “apple cider” not “apple juice.” They’re different. Apple juice is filtered and clear. Apple cider is the good stuff with all the apple-y flavor intact.
I get mine from a local orchard when I can, but Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods usually have decent options. If you absolutely can’t find it, use apple juice in a pinch, but it won’t taste quite as amazing.
And about the ice cream—seriously, spring for good quality vanilla. This is not the time for that cheap stuff that’s more ice than cream. I learned this when I tried making these fall apple cider floats for a dinner party with budget ice cream. They were… fine. But not great. Good vanilla ice cream makes ALL the difference.
How to Make the Best Apple Cider Float Recipe
Okay, let me walk you through this. It’s so easy you’re gonna laugh.
Step 1: Grab your favorite glass. I use these big mason jar mugs I got from Target, but literally any large glass works. If you want to be extra (and who doesn’t?), stick your glass in the freezer for like 15 minutes first. Keeps everything colder longer.
Step 2: Drizzle some caramel sauce inside the glass. Just squirt it around the sides in a spiral pattern. Looks pretty and also means you get caramel in every sip. (Trust me on this one.)
Step 3: Add your ice cream. I usually do 2 big scoops, but if you’re feeling it, go for 3. This is a judgment-free zone.
Step 4: Pour in the apple cider first. Do this slowly—oh wait, I forgot to mention—pour it down the side of the glass, not directly onto the ice cream. Otherwise it’ll foam up like crazy and overflow. Learned that the hard way when I ruined my favorite shirt.
Step 5: Now add your ginger ale or sparkling apple cider. Again, slowly! Let the fizz settle between pours. Fill almost to the top but leave room for toppings.
Step 6: Top with whipped cream if you’re using it. I usually do because why not? We’re already eating ice cream for dessert, might as well go all in.
Step 7: Sprinkle with cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Both are good. I usually do a little of each because I can’t make decisions.
Step 8: Drizzle more caramel sauce on top. Go generous here. This is not the time for restraint.
Step 9: Stick a straw in there (preferably one of those wide bubble tea straws) and maybe a spoon because this is basically a drink and a dessert had a baby.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
My Random Tips for the Perfect Cozy Apple Cider Float
So I’ve made approximately a million of these at this point (okay, maybe like 30, but still), and here’s what I’ve figured out:
The ratio matters. Some recipes say to use all apple cider, no ginger ale. That’s fine, but I think the fizz from the ginger ale adds something special. It makes it more… fun? Festive? I dunno, it just works. I usually do a 1:2 ratio of apple cider to ginger ale, but play around and find what you like.
Speaking of caramel sauce, make your own if you have time. It’s not hard and it tastes SO much better than store-bought. But honestly? I use jarred caramel 90% of the time because I’m lazy and it still tastes incredible. Ghirardelli and Trader Joe’s both make good ones.
Actually, you know what? If you really want to blow people’s minds, use salted caramel sauce. The little bit of salt against the sweet cider and ice cream is incredible. My husband doesn’t even like caramel normally and he went back for seconds when I made it that way.
Want to make this apple cider float dessert even more extra? Rim your glass with caramel and cinnamon sugar before you start. Just dip the rim in caramel sauce, then dip it in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Looks fancy, tastes amazing, takes 30 extra seconds.
This is also really good with caramel ice cream instead of vanilla. Or vanilla bean. Or even cinnamon ice cream if you can find it. I tried it with butter pecan once and it was… weird. Would not recommend.
Why Kids (and Adults) Love This Festive Apple Cider Float
My kids are obsessed with these. Like, they ask for them constantly now. I’ve created monsters.
But here’s the thing—this is a way better option than letting them have soda, right? I mean, it’s got ice cream in it so maybe I’m delusional, but at least there’s real apple cider involved. That’s… fruit-adjacent? I’m counting it.
My 10-year-old calls this a “fancy float” and insists on taking pictures before she drinks it. My 7-year-old just wants to eat the ice cream off the top and leave the rest. Kids are weird.
But adults love it too. I made these for a Halloween party last year and they were the hit of the night. Everyone wanted the recipe. One person asked if there was alcohol in it (there wasn’t, but that’s not a bad idea actually… note to self).
The Bottom Line on This Christmas Morning Drinks… Wait, Wrong Holiday
Okay so this isn’t really a Christmas drink but you could totally make it then too. It’s more of a fall thing. September through November is prime caramel apple cider float season.
This recipe is not fancy. It’s not complicated. You’re basically just throwing stuff in a glass and calling it dessert. But somehow it works? The combination of cold ice cream, spiced cider, fizzy ginger ale, and sweet caramel is just… right.
It reminds me of going to apple orchards as a kid and getting fresh cider and cider donuts. Except in float form. With more caramel. Which is objectively better.
If you’re looking for an easy dessert that actually tastes good and looks impressive without any real effort, this is it. Make one right now. Seriously. I’ll wait.
Let me know how yours turns out! Do you prefer more ginger ale or less? Do you rim your glass? Are you team nutmeg or team cinnamon? Drop a comment because I’m genuinely curious how other people make theirs.
Happy sipping! 🍎🍦
