Kool-Aid Floats
A refreshing, fruity float combining strawberry Kool-Aid, orange juice, and ginger ale, topped with sherbet—perfect for parties and hot days to delight family and friends.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In large pitchers, prepare Kool-Aid with sugar and water according to package directions.
- Stir in the thawed orange juice concentrate.
- Just before serving, add the chilled ginger ale to the Kool-Aid mixture.
- Pour the mixture into tall glasses.
- Add scoops of sherbet to each glass before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using a sugar substitute or reducing the amount of sugar to taste. You can also experiment with other flavors of Kool-Aid or mix in different frozen juice concentrates for variety. If you're looking for a more vibrant presentation, try adding fresh fruit slices like oranges or strawberries to the mixture. This can enhance both flavor and appearance.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Kool-Aid floats in tall glasses with a colorful straw for a festive touch. They pair beautifully with summer desserts like Butterscotch Lush or can be offered as a refreshing drink alongside BBQ dishes such as Key West Ribs. For a fun twist, you can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of sherbet for creaminess.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Kool-Aid floats in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it's best to keep the ginger ale separate until just before serving to maintain its fizz. If the mixture becomes too flat, you can mix in additional chilled ginger ale to revive the carbonation.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Kool-Aid Floats contains roughly 379 calories, with 4g protein, 92g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (148% of the Daily Value), potassium (36% of the Daily Value), and calcium (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different flavor of Kool-Aid?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different flavors of Kool-Aid to suit your taste. Tropical flavors like pineapple or mixed berry can add a unique twist to the float. Just keep in mind that the sweetness level might vary depending on the flavor choice.
Is this recipe suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, this recipe can easily be made vegan by ensuring that the sherbet used is dairy-free. Many brands offer delicious vegan sherbet options that would work perfectly in this recipe. Additionally, check that the Kool-Aid and orange juice concentrate are free from animal-derived ingredients.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
While you can prepare the Kool-Aid mixture in advance and refrigerate it, it's best to add the ginger ale and sherbet right before serving. This helps retain the fizz of the ginger ale and the texture of the sherbet, ensuring a refreshing and enjoyable float experience.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).