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    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Beverage Recipes

    Purple Cow Float

    Modified: Oct 18, 2023 Published: Jul 9, 2021 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    If you've never had a purple cow float, then I highly recommend you try one soon. They're a perfect blend of purple and white in every cup and absolutely as much fun to drink as they are to look at.

    Recipe: $0.71 | Per Serving: $0.71 | Servings: 1

    Glass cup with grape soda float, whipped cream, blackberries garnish.

    What is a purple cow? A purple cow float is an older-style drink recipe that used to be popular back in the 1930s. Traditionally made with vanilla ice cream and grape soda, we have since adapted it to be a healthier frozen drink with grape juice instead, but both ways are delicious.

    My summer days are full of making cold drinks for the kids, like floats and Kool Aid Slushies. With so many different drink options, we're still returning to these purple cows pretty often.

    For more fun drink recipes, make sure to check out our Italian Sodas, Single Serving Lemonade, Banana Oreo Milkshake, and Blue Lagoon Mocktail.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions for Purple Cow Recipe
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Beverage Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. It's easy. If you have ever made a root beer float, then you already know how easy this purple cow drink will be to make. Super simple and easy but always fun because of the unique color.
    2. You can make it more health-conscious. You may discover that this grape soda float is equally, if not more, enjoyable when substituting grape juice. Listed below are various enjoyable ways to modify this purple cow recipe to enhance its nutritional value, all while preserving the delightful vanilla grape flavors. For more "better for you" drinks, check out our Keto Italian Soda.
    3. The kids love it! What kid wouldn't love soda or ice cream? This nostalgic drink is perfect for hot summer days and treats.

    🥘 Ingredients

    ingredients needed to make purple cow float plus a glass cup.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Vanilla ice cream- You can use an old-fashioned, plain, vanilla bean, slow-churned, or any other vanilla ice cream variety of your choice as there is a LOT to choose from. For a different choice, you can even use vanilla frozen yogurt.

    If you still have ice cream on hand make sure to try one of our fabulous milkshake recipes like Brownie Milkshakes, Cookies and Cream Milkshakes, and Fruit Loop Milkshakes.

    Grape juice or grape soda- Depending on whether you want to enjoy your float with the carbonated bubbly taste of soda or want to keep it healthier with grape juice instead, the option is yours as this drink can be served either way and still taste great. We love using grape juice and vanilla ice cream.

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    🔪 Instructions for Purple Cow Recipe

    Glass cup with scooped vanilla ice cream, grape soda, ice cream in background.

    Step 1: Add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream to your tall drinking glass.

    Grape soda in glass with vanilla ice cream, ice cream scooper aside.

    Step 2: Pour in grape juice or soda until it almost reaches the top of the glass.

    Step 3: Serve your drink cold with a straw or spoon as desired.

    a glass cup full of purple cow float with spoons and berries to the side.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Is purple cow an alcoholic drink?

    This purple cow ice cream float recipe version is completely kid-safe and non-alcoholic. Don't confuse this purple cow recipe with that of its adult version. The adult's only alcoholic version is a combination of grape juice and vodka.

    Is a grape soda float good?

    Both kids and grown-ups are gonna love this combo of grape juice (or soda) and vanilla ice cream. It's a cool way to switch up your usual dessert game, add a pop of fun summer vibes, or simply because it's awesome!

    What does purple cow taste like?

    This one's a crowd-pleaser loved by both kids and grown-ups. It's a scrumptious and tangy twist on the traditional root beer float. But it's made by mixing vanilla ice cream with grape soda.

    Purple cow float with straws, whipped cream, blackberries garnish.

    ❤️ More Delicious Beverage Recipes

    • cinnamon toast crunch milkshake in a glass topped with whipped cream, cereal and a strawberry.
      Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shake
    • a glass of oreo flavored milkshake made without ice cream and topped with whipped cream, a cherry, and an oreo cookie.
      Oreo Milkshake Without Ice Cream
    • a glass of watermelon milkshake topped with whipped cream and a slice of watermelon.
      Watermelon Milkshake
    • a mason jar filled with frozen whipped lemonade and fresh lemons in the backgorund.
      Whipped Frozen Lemonade

    If you tried this Purple Cow Float, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    a cup full of grape soda float with blackberries and whipped cream for garnish.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Purple Cow Float

    If you've never had a purple cow float, then I highly recommend you try one soon. They're a perfect blend of purple and white in every cup and absolutely as much fun to drink as they are to look at.
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings: 1 float
    Calories: 685kcal
    Cost Recipe $0.71
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Drinking Glasses
    • Ice Cream Scooper
    • Straws
    • Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 1-2 scoops vanilla ice cream ($0.42)
    • 1 cup grape juice or grape soda (possibly more) ($0.29)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Scoop ice cream into cup.
    • Add grape juice/soda.
    • Serve cold with a straw or spoon.

    Notes

    This purple cow ice cream float recipe version is completely kid-safe and non-alcoholic. Don't confuse this purple cow recipe with that of its adult version. The adult's only alcoholic version is a combination of grape juice and vodka.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1glass | Calories: 685kcal | Carbohydrates: 85.1g | Protein: 8.4g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 22.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.6g | Cholesterol: 196.9mg | Sodium: 143.2mg | Potassium: 599.1mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 80.1g | Vitamin A: 389.5IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 278.2mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Author Nicole Durham
    Course Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

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    A photo of Nicole from Beeyond Cereal

    Hey, I'm Nicole

    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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