Description
The Rainbow Island Float is a vibrant and refreshing non-alcoholic drink perfect for parties and summer gatherings. Layered with colorful syrups, topped with rainbow sherbet, fresh fruit, and whipped cream, this eye-catching float offers a fun and fruity experience that delights both the palate and the eyes.
Ingredients
Scale
Syrups and Liquids
- 1/4 cup grenadine syrup
- 1/4 cup orange syrup or orange juice concentrate
- 1/4 cup blue raspberry syrup or non-alcoholic blue curaçao syrup
- 1/4 cup green apple or lime syrup
- 1/4 cup grape syrup or grape juice concentrate (optional)
- 1-2 oz non-alcoholic coconut syrup or extract
- 2-3 cans (12 oz each) chilled lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or clear sparkling water
Dessert and Garnishes
- 1 pint rainbow sherbet (orange, raspberry, and lime flavors)
- 1 can (15 oz) chilled whipped cream
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced or quartered
- 1 cup fresh blueberries or blackberries
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks, bite-sized
- 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced into half-moons
- 1 orange, thinly sliced and halved or quartered
- Maraschino cherries, with stems
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Rainbow sprinkles or colorful candy pearls
- Optional: Tropical drink umbrellas, long spoons, colorful straws
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Thoroughly chill all liquid components including syrups and soda as well as the glasses. Slightly soften the rainbow sherbet by letting it sit out of the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes to make scooping easier. Wash, hull, peel, and slice all fresh fruits as needed, then arrange them on a platter for easy and attractive garnishing.
- Layer Syrups: In each chilled, clear glass, carefully pour 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of grenadine syrup to establish the red base layer. Using the back of a spoon held just above the syrup layer, gently pour 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of orange syrup next. Repeat this layering technique with green apple or lime syrup, then blue raspberry or non-alcoholic blue curaçao syrup, and optionally add grape syrup. Pour each syrup slowly to keep the layers distinct and colorful.
- Add Coconut Flavor & Soda: Drizzle 1 to 2 ounces of non-alcoholic coconut syrup evenly over the blue/purple layer to add tropical flavor. Next, slowly pour the chilled lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or sparkling water over the back of a spoon until the glass is about three-quarters full. This prevents the layers from mixing and maintains the visual appeal of the float.
- Add Sherbet & Garnish: Gently place a large scoop of rainbow sherbet into the center of each glass so it floats on top of the soda layers. Artfully arrange sliced strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and pineapple chunks around the sherbet for color and texture contrast. Top each glass with a generous swirl of chilled whipped cream, then sprinkle liberally with rainbow sprinkles or colorful candy pearls. Finally, add a maraschino cherry and a fresh mint sprig as a finishing touch. Optionally, insert a tropical drink umbrella and a colorful straw. Serve immediately for best flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Chill all liquid ingredients and glasses ahead of time for best layering results.
- Slightly soften sherbet before scooping to avoid breaking the float.
- Pour liquids slowly over the back of a spoon to maintain distinct syrup layers.
- Use clear glasses to showcase the vibrant colorful layers attractively.
- Feel free to customize fruit garnishes based on seasonal availability.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the float at its optimal texture and visual appeal.
