Sweet Tea Ice Cream Float Recipe

Ever open the fridge on a hot day and just stand there for a second?

Not really looking.

Just hoping something cold, comforting, and a little bit fun magically appears?

Yeah. Same.

That’s usually how a Sweet Tea Float begins. Not with a plan. Not with a recipe card. Just with a feeling. The kind that says, it’s too hot for effort, but I still want something nice.

Down South, sweet tea already runs the show. It’s on the table before you sit down. It’s what guests reach for without asking. It’s what cools tempers, stretches conversations, and somehow makes everything feel more settled. So when sweet tea decides to meet vanilla ice cream and a little fizz? Well… that’s not a trend. That’s just good sense.

What you’ll need (nothing fancy, promise)

• 2 Southern Breeze Original family-sized tea bags

• 4 cups boiling water

• 1 quart club soda

• Vanilla ice cream, 1–2 scoops per glass

If you’ve got tea and ice cream, you’re already halfway there.

What to do (easy enough to remember)

Step 1
Place the Southern Breeze Original family-sized tea bags into a half-gallon pitcher. Slowly pour the boiling water over them. No rushing. Let the tea steep for a full 10 minutes so the flavor comes out strong and balanced.

Step 2
Remove the tea bags. Transfer the pitcher to the refrigerator and let the tea chill completely. This matters. Cold tea keeps the float refreshing and clean.

Step 3
Once the tea is fully cold, gently stir in the club soda. Just enough for a light sparkle. Nothing aggressive.

Step 4
Grab a tall glass and add 1 to 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream. Use your judgment. Some days earn the extra scoop.

Step 5
Slowly pour the tea mixture over the ice cream. Let it foam, swirl, and melt naturally.

Step 6
Serve immediately. No waiting. No overthinking. Just enjoy.

Before you take that first sip

Pause. Just for a second.

Notice how the ice cream softens around the edges. How the tea turns creamy as it melts. This drink doesn’t rush you. It invites you to sit down, lean back, and stay awhile.

Very Southern behavior.

Why this tastes like summer

A Sweet Tea Float is summer with its shoes kicked off. It cools you down without being sharp, sweetens the moment without being heavy, and somehow manages to feel refreshing and comforting at the same time.

As a Summer Dessert Drink, it pulls double duty. It quenches your thirst and satisfies your sweet tooth, which is exactly what you want when the heat’s doing the most and nobody’s in the mood for effort.

It’s the kind of drink that makes people smile halfway through and say,

“Well now… that’s real good.”

When does this Ice Cream Float belong?

Honestly? Anytime sweet tea already belongs, which is most of the time.

Backyard cookouts where folks keep wandering back to the kitchen.

Sunday lunches that turn into long conversations.

Family get-togethers where someone eventually says, “Y’all want something cold?”

It’s also perfect for those unplanned moments when guests drop by or when you’re standing barefoot in the kitchen thinking you deserve a little treat today.

And yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to make one just for yourself. Standing at the counter. Spoon in hand. No audience required.

A little Southern wisdom

Serve it in a clear glass or mason jar so you can see what’s going on in there. Let everyone choose their scoop count, because ice cream opinions run deep, and we respect that.

No garnish needed. No fancy tricks. This drink shines because it’s simple and familiar, not because it’s dressed up.

Why you’ll love this Sweet Tea Float

You’ll love it because it feels easy. Because it reminds you of slower days. Because each sip starts bright and finishes creamy, and before you know it, your shoulders drop a little.

The tea is steady and refreshing. The vanilla ice cream is soft and comforting. Together, they make something that feels nostalgic, even if it’s your first time having one.

It’s not just an Ice Cream Float Recipe. It’s a pause. A moment. A small reminder that summer doesn’t need to be complicated to be wonderful.

One last Southern thought (about the tea itself)

What makes this Sweet Tea Float work so effortlessly is starting with good tea. Southern Breeze takes care of the sweetness for you, so there is no guessing, no extra sugar scooping, and no fuss. Just real tea flavor that shows up right every single time. It is the kind of tea you can trust, whether you are fixing a quick afternoon treat or serving a porch full of people.

When the base is already good, everything else feels easier. Lighter. Happier. And that is what Southern Breeze Original family-sized tea bags brings to the table. Tea that lets you enjoy the moment instead of managing it.

So if this float becomes a regular thing around your house, don’t be surprised.

Some ideas are just meant to stick, especially the sweet, simple ones.