Embrace the spirit of celebration with a truly unique and refreshing dessert: our vibrant Matcha Ginger Floats! This delightful concoction features creamy, homemade green tea ice cream, beautifully complemented by the zesty kick of fizzy ginger ale. It’s a treat that not only captivates with its naturally bright-green hue, making it perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but also tantalizes your taste buds with its harmonious blend of earthy matcha and spicy ginger.

Why Matcha Ginger Floats Are Your New Favorite Festive Treat

While St. Patrick’s Day might be considered a minor holiday by some, it offers a fantastic excuse to dive into fun, festive culinary creations. Our blog is brimming with ideas, from traditional Irish fare to boozy adult delights, but sometimes, the best way to celebrate is with a dish that simply brings joy through its vibrant color and incredible flavor. Last week, we explored various ways to celebrate, including boozy recipes, authentic Irish dishes, and playful green treats that might not be traditionally Irish but are definitely in the holiday spirit.

You all loved our Shamrock Shake Macarons, so we knew we had to follow up with another show-stopping green creation today. And what could be more visually striking and palate-pleasing than these magnificent ice cream floats?

The Magic of Matcha: Flavor and Color

The breathtaking color of these floats is 100% natural, derived from high-quality matcha. Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, traditionally consumed in East Asia. Unlike regular green tea, where leaves are steeped and then discarded, with matcha, you consume the entire tea leaf, receiving a more concentrated dose of its unique flavors and nutritional benefits.

Matcha imparts an earthy, slightly grassy, and subtly sweet flavor that provides a wonderful depth to the ice cream. This distinctive taste creates an unexpected yet perfect harmony with the spicy notes of ginger. Beyond its incredible flavor, matcha is also celebrated for its potential health benefits, packed with antioxidants. You can easily find matcha powder online, or pick up a small amount from a local coffee shop or health food store. If you end up with extra, explore other delicious matcha recipes to savor its versatility.

Crafting Your Own Green Tea Ice Cream

Our journey to the perfect float begins with a homemade green tea ice cream, and trust us, it’s much simpler and more enjoyable to make than you might think! This creamy delight forms the heart of our float, offering a rich, smooth texture and that unmistakable matcha essence. The process involves a few straightforward steps, transforming humble ingredients into a luxurious frozen treat.

First, you’ll gently heat egg yolks, sugar, matcha, and milk together. The key here is to cook the mixture slowly over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a beautiful, silky custard. This tempering process is crucial to ensure a smooth ice cream base without scrambled eggs. Once thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in rich heavy cream and a touch of vanilla extract. The vanilla enhances the sweetness and rounds out the earthy matcha notes.

After chilling the custard thoroughly (preferably overnight for best results), it’s ready for your ice cream maker. Pour the chilled base into the machine and let it churn. The ice cream maker does all the hard work, transforming the liquid custard into a luscious, soft-serve consistency. This churning process incorporates air, giving the ice cream its characteristic light and airy texture. Finally, transfer the soft ice cream to a loaf pan and freeze it until it’s firm enough to scoop beautifully. The result? A velvety smooth, intensely flavored matcha ice cream that elevates these floats to gourmet status.

The Zest of Homemade Ginger Ale

To complement our exquisite matcha ice cream, we turn to the exhilarating fizz of homemade ginger ale. While store-bought ginger ale works perfectly well, making your own adds an extra layer of freshness and customization that truly sets these floats apart. For this recipe, we utilized a Sparkling Beverage Maker, which made the process incredibly fun and interactive. My kids absolutely adored pulling the lever to carbonate the water – it quickly became the highlight of our afternoon!

Homemade ginger ale allows you to control the intensity of the ginger flavor and the level of sweetness, ensuring it perfectly matches the matcha ice cream. The spicy, aromatic qualities of ginger, combined with the refreshing bubbles, create an irresistible counterpoint to the creamy, earthy ice cream. This vibrant soda base is not just a mixer; it’s an integral part of the flavor profile, making each sip a delightful dance of contrasting yet complementary tastes. Get ready for a summer filled with bubbly drinks, as this machine promises endless possibilities for refreshing beverages.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

No ratings yet

Matcha Ginger Ice Cream Floats

Servings:
6 servings

Prep Time:
30 mins

Cook Time:
25 mins

Freeze Time:
1 d

Total Time:
14 hrs 55 mins

Homemade green tea ice cream is topped with fizzy ginger ale, for these fun and festive Matcha Ginger Floats! The earthy, grassy flavor of this creamy treat pairs perfectly with spicy ginger soda, and you’ll love the naturally bright-green color for St. Patrick’s Day!

Print Recipe
Leave a Review
Save Recipe

Ingredients

For the Matcha Ice Cream:

• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons matcha powder
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.13 teaspoon) kosher salt
• 3/4 cup (183 ml) milk
• 1 1/2 cups (357 ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Homemade Ginger Ale:

• 1 liter cold water
• 1 packet ginger ale soda mix (or your preferred homemade ginger ale syrup)

For Garnish:

• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherries

Instructions

For the Matcha Ice Cream:

1. Freeze the canister of an ice cream maker overnight, or according to manufacturer instructions, ensuring it’s thoroughly chilled.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks, granulated sugar, matcha powder, and kosher salt. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is well combined and slightly pale.
3. Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Cook until small bubbles begin to form around the edges of the pan and wisps of steam gently rise from the surface. Do not let it boil.
4. Slowly temper the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture. To do this, gradually pour a small amount of hot milk into the egg mixture while continuously whisking. This prevents the eggs from scrambling. Continue adding the milk in a slow, steady stream until all of the hot milk has been incorporated.
5. Transfer the entire custard mixture back to the saucepan. Continue to heat over medium-low, whisking constantly, until the custard is hot and slightly thickened, coating the back of a spoon. It should reach about 170-175°F (77-79°C).
6. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean, heat-safe bowl to remove any potential bits of cooked egg or matcha lumps, ensuring a perfectly smooth base. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Cover the bowl and chill the mixture in the refrigerator, preferably overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours, until it is thoroughly cold.
7. Once chilled, pour the ice cream base into the prepared (frozen) canister of your ice cream maker.
8. Churn the ice cream according to your machine’s instructions, typically for about 15-25 minutes, or until it reaches the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.
9. Transfer the churned ice cream to a loaf pan or an airtight container. Cover and freeze for several hours, or until it is firm enough to scoop, usually overnight.

For the Homemade Ginger Ale:

1. Attach a bottle of chilled water to your KitchenAid® Sparkling Beverage Maker (or preferred soda maker).
2. Lower the handle on the machine to carbonate the water in short bursts until desired fizziness is achieved.
3. Remove the bottle from the machine and carefully add the ginger ale soda mix (or prepared ginger syrup). Gently swirl to combine.
4. Chill the homemade ginger ale thoroughly before serving to ensure maximum refreshment.

To Assemble the Floats:

1. Place 3 to 4 generous scoops of the frozen matcha ice cream into a large glass or beer stein.
2. Carefully pour the chilled homemade ginger ale over the ice cream. The fizz will create a delightful foam.
3. Garnish each float generously with a dollop of whipped cream and a bright red maraschino cherry for that classic float appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Calories: 343kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 214mg, Sodium: 90mg, Potassium: 97mg, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 1345IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 1.2mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert, Drinks

Tried this recipe?
Mention @bakingamoment on Instagram or tag #bakingamoment.

Tips for the Perfect Matcha Ginger Float

• Quality Matcha Matters: For the best flavor and color, invest in ceremonial or culinary grade matcha. Lower quality matcha can taste bitter.
• Thorough Chilling is Key: Ensure both your ice cream base and the ginger ale are thoroughly chilled before churning and assembling. This guarantees optimal consistency and refreshing temperature.
• Tempering Eggs Safely: When adding hot milk to egg yolks, do it slowly and continuously whisk. This gentle process prevents the eggs from cooking too quickly and creating lumps.
• Don’t Overcook the Custard: Cook the custard just until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Overcooking can lead to a grainy texture.
• Adjust Ginger Ale Sweetness: If making your ginger ale from scratch using ginger syrup, adjust the sugar level to your preference. Some prefer a spicier, less sweet ginger ale to balance the ice cream.
• Serve Immediately: Ice cream floats are best enjoyed right after assembly to experience the full fizz and creamy contrast.

Variations to Explore

While the Matcha Ginger Float is perfect as is, you can certainly experiment with variations:

• Different Sodas: Not a ginger ale fan? Try lemon-lime soda for a brighter, citrusy float, or even cream soda for an extra layer of sweetness.
• Spiked Adult Version: For an adult twist, add a splash of gin, vodka, or even a ginger liqueur to your float.
• Matcha Intensity: Adjust the amount of matcha powder in the ice cream base to suit your preference for a milder or stronger green tea flavor.
• Extra Ginger Kick: If you love ginger, consider adding a thin slice of candied ginger as a garnish, or grate a tiny bit of fresh ginger directly into your glass before adding the ice cream and soda.

Conclusion: A Festive Delight You Can’t Miss

These Matcha Ginger Floats are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. They combine the rich tradition of ice cream floats with the exotic, healthful appeal of matcha, all while delivering a burst of festive green color and invigorating flavors. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, hosting a spring gathering, or simply craving a unique and refreshing treat, this recipe promises to impress. The satisfaction of crafting your own vibrant green tea ice cream and pairing it with a homemade fizzy soda is truly unparalleled. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your ice cream maker, and get ready to create a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to devour!