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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Published: Jul 9, 2021 by Nicole This post may contain affiliate links.

    Purple Cow Float

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    promotional graphic for 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.

    angled view of a glass cup filled with a grape soda float and topped with whipped cream and blackberries for 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.

    Why This Recipe Works

    1. It's easy. If you have ever made a root beer float, then you already know how easy this recipe will be to make. Super simple and easy but always fun because of the unique color.
    2. You can make it healthier. You can find this grape soda float to be just as delicious (if not more so) when using grape juice. Included below are several fun ways you can customize this purple cow recipe to be healthier without losing out on any of the fun or delicious vanilla grape flavors.
    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.
    Jump to:
    • What is a purple cow?
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🍽 Equipment Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    ingredients needed to make purple cow flaot plus a glass cup, ice cream scooper and straws next to fresh flowers

    🥘 Ingredients

    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 healthier choice, you can even use vanilla frozen yogurt.

    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.

    🍽 Equipment Needed

    BeeyondCereal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

    • Tall drinking glasses
    • Ice cream scooper
    • Drinking straws
    • Spoons

    🔪 Instructions

    Check out how to make purple cow float with these simple step-by-step instructions:

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

    scooped vanilla ice cream in a glass cup with ice cream and grape soda in backround

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

    grape soda in a glass cup of vanilla ice cream with an ice cream scooper to the side

    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

    💭 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.

    angled downward view into a purple cow float drink garnished with straws, whipped cream and blackberries

    More great beverage recipes to try

    • Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shake
    • Oreo Milkshake (No Ice Cream)
    • Homemade Shamrock Shake
    • The BEST at Home Iced Coffee Recipes
    • How to Make an Italian Soda

    📖 Recipe

    a close up view of 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 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Servings: 1 float
    Calories: 685kcal
    Cost Recipe $0.64
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Tall drinking glasses
    • Ice Cream Scooper
    • Drinking straws
    • Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 1-2 scoops vanilla ice cream ($0.29)
    • grape juice or grape soda (about 1 cups) ($0.35)
    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 NicoleDurham
    Course Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

    More Hot and Cold Beverages

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    I'm Nicole and I am the owner and recipe developer here at Beeyond Cereal. I love saving money and one of the best places to trim expenses is in the kitchen. With this site, we are serving up tasty and frugal homemade dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

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