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Pineapple Floats

With Coconut Ice Cream.

float

I’m practicing for when I move to Hawaii.

My friends used to love hanging out at my house when we were younger, probably because my mom was the best hostess. She’d always be prepared for guests with freshly-baked cookies, brownies, or even English muffin pizzas. Come summertime, one of her favorite treats to serve (and one of my friends’ favorite things to be served) was a root beer float. I’ve never liked soda, and so she’d make me a special Orange Juice float.

Last night, when my friends came over for a girls’ night, the drinks I created for them reminded me of those oj floats my mom used to make. Except these were pineapple-flavored: Pineapple Floats!

pineapple drink

Pineapple Floats

  • 4 cups fresh or canned pineapple
  • stevia or sugar of choice to taste
  • optional: rum or rum extract
  • coconut ice cream (I used my favorite Ice Cream Recipe)

Freeze the pineapple in a container. Once frozen, thaw it until you can easily blend it. (You don’t need a Vita-Mix for this recipe!) Blend with the optional sweetener and rum or extract. Do not add water. Pour into glasses, and serve topped with coconut ice cream.

float with ice cream

 You could also make a float from my Watermelon Ice Cream.

Just thaw the frozen watermelon longer than the recipe calls for, and pour it into a glass instead of a bowl.

float

Oh, and with the floats I also served Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Published on July 8, 2011

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117 Comments

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  1. teabagginit says

    i’d so rather be a guest – but i ALWAYS bring something i know i’ll eat. i’m so picky about my food & getting protein/good carbs at every meal that i won’t trust others to provide what i want. anal/control freak? perhaps. hungry? nope!

  2. Rebecca says

    This float looks like just the thing for a hot day!

    I’d rather be a guest most of the time, I like the freedom to come and go when I want.

  3. Leslie says

    I’d say hostess, but if you were serving me one of those floats I would totally have to change my answer to guest!

    • Lisa C. says

      Oh me too. I would rather be in charge of the party and know where everything is and have control (control freak!). But I would make an exception for a CCK party! I can see why everyone’d want to come to your house! Your friends are smart people. 🙂

  4. Ragnhild says

    Yum yum- looking fresh!

    I love to host, and I always make my friends come over for dinner. I also make them breakfast and brunch! I also always bring foods when Im not the host. I love to convince friends that vegan healthy foods are yummiiii 😀

  5. Emma says

    Gah! It is sooooooo hot here, and this would be perfect! I’m so excited you don’t need a vita-mix for it too. That’s on my wish list, but until I get one, I’m stuck with a rusty old blender. So excited it’ll work for this!

  6. Michaela says

    I absolutely love hosting parties!! I love preparing the food, chosing music, decorating the place… But I also enjoy being the guest and having not to worry about anything 😉

  7. Jenny says

    I would definitely rather host a party! Or be a part of a team or group that’s hosting a party. 🙂 I think being a caterer for parties, banquets, or any sort of celebration would be so much fun! I was always super involved in planning my own birthday parties as I was growing up, even though the majority of my friends always left it up to their moms to decide everything.

    Also… I’ve never had a root beer float, or any sort of float-y thing. Definitely missed out on a lot of “traditional” North American treats and foods, having grown up mostly in South East Asia and having a ‘non-traditional’ [but still super amazing, of course] mom. I don’t like soda either! Or any sort of carbonated drink, actually! The fizz burrrns! Haha but this still looks super interesting. I think I wouldn’t mind one of your milkshakes + some ice cream on top. Would that qualify as a float? 🙂

    T.G.I.F.!

    • Julia says

      Can you believe it, neither have I! I’ve never even had root beer!
      Mmm, I think anything could qualifly as a float as long as something was floating… so yeah, I think the ice cream shake float would work.
      Maybe someday I will have to try root beer, but for now that pineapple concoction looks way better!

  8. The Teenage Taste says

    I’ve never been a huge fan of root beer floats, but these pineapple floats look FABULOUS! They remind me of the pina coladas I look forward to ever Summer vacation. Virgin, of course! 😉

  9. Sarah says

    These are SO beautiful! I love the coconut ice cream, and I really love how it’s dripping down the side in the photo. So artistic. And yummy besides, which is more important, right? 😉

  10. Abby says

    ZOMG! Katie, I am running to my kitchen to freeze the pineapple ASAP! NEED one of these floats. Yes, need.
    Oh, and like some of the other commentets, I like to be in control, so I like being the hostess. But I also like being waited on. So a guest in my own home maybe?

  11. Bianca- Vegan Crunk says

    Ooh, yum! Katie, do you eat dessert everyday? You have to to make all this awesomeness. I’m totally J.

    As for parties, I love to be the hostess, but I HATE cleaning up the mess. So I like to host a few parties a year, but I like to attend plenty as well.

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Of course! I eat dessert at least twice a day. Let’s see… today I’ve already had some of my Endangered Species chocolate-raspberry bar, and it’s only just noon. I’m having some ice cream very very very soon… it’s so hot here!

  12. Charissa says

    *Fainting* I am in love with this idea. In fact, I wish I could have it right this second, but there is no pineapple in the house (SNIFF!)…I shall dream of it. Over and over.

  13. Brittany *Sparkles* says

    OMG My best friend is OBSESSED with pineapple – I’ll definitely have to try these out!! I’ve never liked Pina Coladas much because I cannot stand the syrup-y fake flavoring but fresh pineapple sounds like a win!

  14. Sof says

    Hi!

    First off, this seems incredibly delicious and I’m thinking of buying pineapple and trying this right now! And as to question of the day, I like being the hostess, but I’d be glad to give up this position if you’d have a party and cooked everything there 🙂

    I don’t know if you remember me – I wrote a comment about how you’ve helped me to change my lifestyle to healthier, but that was quite a while ago. Well since then, I managed to exclude sugar from my life, and I started to think about becoming a vegetarian – and maybe, eventually, a vegan.
    The question I would like to ask is, did cutting off meat, dairy and eggs have noticeable health benefits for you, or do you have more energy now?
    And as much as I love animals and don’t eat a lot of meat anyway, I think that being a vegan and still giving my body enough nutrients might be very challenging for me – do you take supplements for Iron, B12 and stuff like that and did you find it hard to stay healthy in the beginning, too?
    Thanks a lot for answers!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Hi Sof!

      I went vegan when I was around 14 or 15, so it’s hard to know if my clear skin and high energy as a teen were due to veganism or just my normal self… but I DO have a TON of energy! And I hardly ever get sick.
      I do take an omega3 supplement, just in case. And I make sure to get enough b12 from food sources such as fortified foods and nutritional yeast. A really good book is “The Vegetarian Way” by Deborah Messina (I think that’s who writes it anyway). It has chapters on all the nutrients :).

  15. Heidi @ Food Doodles says

    That looks delicious! I need to make this at some point.
    My whole life I’d much rather be a guest than host a party but now that I’m older and can actually cook and bake I’d love to host a party 😀

  16. Anna says

    That looks tasty! At some point in my childhood I began disliking root beer. Instead I would add grape juice!

    I often prefer being the host. I like making new dishes for my friends to try and by hosting I am always kept busy 🙂

  17. Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says

    I would rather host a party! I love having people come over to my place!

  18. Aine @ Something to Chew Over says

    Hmm I like both, it depends on my mood really. Sometimes it’s nice to be looked after by others but I love cooking for everyone too!

  19. Jen says

    These are basically pina colada floats. You’re a genius. Growing up, I drank waaay too many sugar-laden pina coladas every summer in Mexico. And about the watermelon idea, another blogger recently made watermelon-mint floats, and they looked amazing. You should definitely try that variation if you haven’t already! By the way, your mom’s orange floats make me think of creamsicles. I loved those as a kid!

  20. Holly @ The Runny Egg says

    These look so refreshing Katie! I love pineapple.

    I’d rather help the hostess — you know, when someone tells the hostess “oh everything is so wonderful” and then the hostess can turn to me and say “I couldn’t have done it without Holly!” That way I’m not the center of attention but I feel somewhat important 🙂

  21. Elise says

    Freezing cold pineapple drink = winner!!! I loved coke floats when I was a kid. I wasn’t allowed them very often though because I used to get so hyper from drinking coke I wouldn’t sleep and drove everyone crazy! My mum actually told my friend’s parents not to give it to me 🙁

    Luckily I grew out of that one and I don’t really like coke now anyway!

    I’d like to be both please 🙂 I actually always take food with me when I eat at someone’s house anyway. I’m pretty much the only vegan I know and people still aren’t sure what to feed me, so it’s easier that way!

  22. Niki (Life's a Payne) says

    HOSTESS! I am hosting my own birthday bbq tonight! It will be complete with loot bags and everything. I actually came on here today to scope out some of your lovely desserts before I head to the grocery store! Suggestions?

  23. Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says

    I’m practicing for when I move to Hawaii = NO! Move to San Diego 🙂

    These look awesome and they look perfect for San Diego, too. Just sayin’ haha!

    I am not a big root beer float girl. Something about root beer (actually beer too)..I don’t like it. But pineapple is one of my great loves. And with coconut ice cream or banana softserve or put some rum in it. Rum please, not rum extract…lol….

    They look awesome! And I would rather host. No wait, I’d rather be waited on….hah 🙂

  24. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says

    Lahhhve. I love being a party host — it’s so exciting to prepare all the food and decorations, and put on a pretty dress!

  25. Dawn @ Blonde on a Mission says

    This is such a cute & different idea! So tropical! I’m all for moving to Hawaii 🙂

    And I want to be a hostess, not a guest for parties… I want to plan a really cute summer themed party with healthy treats. You’ve inspired so many dessert ideas!

    • Laura says

      I so want to do that too! Like a healthy-themed luauo with these floats and maybe some pina colada fudge babies. And lots and lots of coconut themed foods!

  26. sheila @ Elements says

    oh no!!! Why oh why did I have to go and finish off the last of my fresh pineapple last night?????? I want this pineapple float SO BAD!!!!

    I think I’m gonna try making my own homemade coconut ice cream and then try the pineapple float. I’m putting a fresh pineapple on my list. Can’t wait to try this! I’m so happy you’re sharing this recipe, and by the way…I’d much rather be a guest at a party. 🙂

  27. Marissa L. says

    I put the pineapple in the freezer as soon as this popped into my google reader this morning. And I just had the float for a snack. The coconut ice cream MAKES this recipe! Oh my gosh, so so good! I loved it and only wish I had frozen more pineapple!

  28. Tiina McKay says

    Oh my gosh this looks AMAZING! I was just wondering what to do with the pineapple in my fridge, along with the coconut milk in my pantry. Just perfect. Thanks! Oh, and come visit me in Hawaii!! I will be more than happy to let you continue your kitchen experiments here, umm, I mean, I will gladly be a hostess, lol!!! 🙂

  29. Moni'sMeals says

    Yum! I am off to Vegas in a few days and I know I will be having some pina coladas for sure. Until then, I can have a healthier version! I love Pineapple!

  30. Mary @ Bites and Bliss says

    Yummmm!!! It’s been much, much too long since having a float of some kind. This looks perfect!

    As for the party, I abaolutely love hosting! The planning and putting all the food together’s so much fun.

  31. Mary says

    This looks SOOOO perfect for the hot weather we’re having right now. I wonder if I could make it with mango. I’m going to try!

  32. Em says

    I like being a guest. Once you become a mom, you might just feel the same way! You’ll want someone to wait on you hand and foot for a change ;).

  33. O.C. says

    I loveee coconut ice cream! This looks like a tropical dream 🙂
    And I love playing the hostess and throwing parties.

  34. Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFIles says

    Mmmm I’ve been loving pineapple lately! Lucky for me I have a bunch in the fridge!

    I definitely love hosting. My mom hates it so we were never hosts when I was younger but now it’s so much fun! I love creating spreads and putting together a gathering my friends and family enjoy. It’s so satisfying!

  35. Sarahishealthy says

    And now I remember why you are my absolute favorite blog. Not that I’d forgotten! 😉
    Every post just keeps getting better and better!
    You are AWESOME!

  36. Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says

    I LOVE to be the hostess with the mostess 😉 haha. This recipe is bookmarked to use for my next shindig!! (or maybe tonight…..)

  37. Errign says

    Um, okay, seriously, I want to come to parties at your house.

    Now that I am grown up (sort of) I really want to host a dinner party – and then I’ll probably be good with just going to get-togethers. (English muffin pizzas for the win, by the way!)

  38. Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says

    Wow I’ve never had a float, but that looks AMAZING!! Coconut ice cream…mmmm 🙂

    And WHAT do you mean moving to Hawaii?! Hellooo, LONDON?! No, wait, I’ll move to Hawaii too so it’ll all be good and we can have floats ALL DAY LONG!! 😀

  39. Emily@RunningPerspective says

    best. idea. ever!
    can you come to my house and make this for me!!!!!! its my birthday 🙂 hahaha

  40. Kristen @ The Red Velvet Life says

    I’m with you — I like being the hostess! In fact, I played hostess to my in-laws this weekend at our new place in La La Land! I find it a wee bit stressful, but I also kind of thrive on it! 🙂

    And this float looks amazing!

  41. Albizia says

    I’d rather be the guest. It would be great to organize parties but I am just not funny enough and I don’t want to check if boredom can really kill 🙂 . And with a host like you, it must be a pleasure to be a guest.

  42. Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! says

    I love the cooking / welcoming / socializing aspect of hosting parties, but I’m not a huge fan of all the cleaning and work that usually goes along with it. haha.

  43. Tara says

    I love hosting parties! I love it when everyone tells me they enjoyed the food, had a great time, etc. I can’t say I enjoy cleaning up, but getting everything organized and prepared is so much fun!
    I definitely want to try this! I loved the watermelon in my smoothie, I bet this would taste pretty similar. I have some frozen pineapple, so maybe that would work too.

  44. Jayme @ Runner-n-Spice says

    Yum! that looks delicious! Reminds me totally of my rootbeer floats from when I was little!

    TGIF! Have a good weekend CCK!

  45. Lauren says

    Mmmm just had one for breakfast! I might just be the most popular mom in the world now, thanks to you CCK! 🙂 They were delish!

  46. Alexandra (Veggin' Out in the Kitchen) says

    Katie!!!! Those floats look absolutely fantabulous!!! And I just bought some pineapple which I was going to eat plain, but I think that might change 😉

    And when you move to Hawaii, can I PLEASE go with you!! It’s my fave place on earth and would be even better with a chocolate-covered friend 😀

    I looooove being the hostess too! It gives me an extra excuse to bake 🙂

    <3 <3

    p.s. We didn't go to Santorini, but you should have stowed away in my suitcase anyway! We would have had the BEST time EVER!! 😀

  47. Allie says

    I just whipped one of these up for me and my mom. We both loved them! My mom especially liked the coconut ice cream :).
    Hey, and I’m the third A name comment in a row :).

  48. Amanda @ the beauty notebooks says

    what an interesting combination! sounds like the perfect summertime treat 😉

  49. Amy says

    Yum! I bed that would be delicious with mango, too!
    On the party front, I LOATHE hosting. I love to come to your house, bring food and help YOU out, but I’d rather spork my eye out than host on a regular basis!

  50. Ann Claire says

    Wow, this looks amazing!
    Hmmm whenever I’m the hostess I always worry about making sure everyone is having a good time and making sure everything is perfect and stuff that I don’t always like it. My friends seem to enjoy coming to my house and I do like cooking for them and stuff and I always have a good time, it just worries me a bit. So yeah, I kind of like a mix of being a hostess and letting other people host.
    I do love planning dinner parties with my mom though. Planning the menu and cooking is so much fun….I just wish my friends had a taste for fancier food 🙂

  51. Dalai Lina says

    Funny, It’s almost midnight and we just got back from a superb dinner party – with monogrammed cocktail napkins, perfect flower centerpieces and homemade pesto as a take home gift – and I said to my husband, I LOVE going to parties like this but would hate to host one! Pizza, beer and cards. That’s what you’ll get from me!

  52. Marianne says

    I’ve never been a root beer float person either – my ultimate float would have to be an orange pop float (or soda for you Americans). But these look delicious – almost like a pina colada. I bet some Malibu coconut rum would be excellent in them.

  53. Danielle says

    Is the recipe for the orange juice floats on here? I love orange juice and would probably love the float! 😉

  54. Chocoholic says

    I would rather be the guest. But I absolutely LOVE planning parties, making food, and decorating but I wouldn’t want them at my house.

  55. Lyn, a baby boomer who loves food and gets younger every day says

    There are so many different ways to make great floats. You can use practically any type of juice or soda as well as any flavor of ice cream. What I really like about this option is that it’s much healthier than most floats (like the traditional root beer float). Coconut ice cream (especially if it’s homemade) would be pretty healthy and with fresh pineapple and a sugar substitute it would be excellent.

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