Pink Panther (Raspberry Lemonade Ice Cream Float)
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These Pink Panther drinks are an 80s/90s classic mocktail! Super easy to make, pink lemonade ice cream floats.
As a child growing up in the 90s, going to a restaurant and ordering a Pink Panther mocktail was truly the height of sophistication.
It would often come to the table with a lit sparkler sputtering away – a spectacle that would be unlikely to pass the health and safety rules of today.
When my best friend Katie was pregnant with her second baby, she told me one day that she fancied a pink panther drink. Neither of us could remember what went into it, but with a little bit of experimentation, we created a drink that satisfied both of our memories.
The best thing is that these are so easy to make, and you only need three ingredients (four if you want to top them with whipped cream, as I did for these pictures. And I love whipped cream, so I had to do it.)
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and printable recipe, or keep reading for ingredient tips and process photos.
Pink Panther Ingredients
- Vanilla Ice Cream – I have a suspicion that the original Pink Panther drinks may have been made with cream rather than ice cream, but I like the extra chill that the vanilla ice cream gives. You can just use a basic vanilla-flavoured ice cream here; there’s no need to splash out on the fancy stuff.
- Lemonade – I’ve made these with both Sprite and Schweppes lemonade, and both work well.
- Raspberry Cordial – The internet is torn as to whether cordial or grenadine would have been more common, but raspberry cordial is much easier to find. I used Schweppes.
- Whipped Cream – Optional, but highly recommended.
HOW TO MAKE A PINK PANTHER DRINK
First, pop a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream into a tall glass, and pour over some raspberry cordial.
Add a splash of lemonade, and give it a good stir with a fork or long-handled spoon. I found the fork best for breaking up the ice cream and making a nice, smooth, evenly pink drink.
Then just top it up with more lemonade. At this point, you can scoop off a little of the froth if you want. Nothing wrong with froth, but if there is too much, then you’re not left with much to actually drink. But if you’re into the froth, then go on and leave it.
Top with whipped cream (either homemade, or cheat like I did and use whipped cream from a can) and sprinkles, if you like.
The sprinkles aren’t traditional; if I remember rightly, they were usually topped with just whipped cream and sometimes a paper umbrella or a flamingo cocktail pick (neither of which is pink panther related, but they are fun).
I didn’t have either of those on hand, so sprinkles it is (I always have those on hand!)
These are also the perfect Valentine’s Day mocktails, dressed up with some pink and red sprinkles.
Enjoy! xx
More Recipes You May Like…
- Nutella Milkshakes – Deliciously easy chocolate hazelnut milkshakes with cute Nutella-hazelnut-rimmed glasses.
- Coffee Milkshakes – The perfect pick-me-up coffee milkshake.
- Mocha Milkshakes – The perfect blend of coffee and chocolate, topped with whipped cream.
- White Chocolate and Raspberry Fudge Slice – Smooth, creamy white chocolate fudge with crunchy biscuit chunks and pops of freeze-dried raspberries.
Pink Panther – Raspberry Lemonade Ice Cream Float
Ingredients
- 2 large scoops vanilla ice cream
- 2 tablespoons raspberry cordial
- 1 can lemonade
- whipped cream for the top optional
Instructions
- Place one scoop of ice cream and 1 tablespoon of raspberry codial into each tall glass.
- Add a splash of lemonade and stir with a fork or long handled spoon until the ice cream has broken up and the cordial is well combined.
- Top up with lemonade. At this stage you can scoop off a little of the froth and top up with more lemonade.
- Top the glasses with a spoonful of whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.
