Guinness Float

If you’re not a regular Guinness drinker and the mere sight of the dark and heavy-looking pints has been enough to scare you away, I’ll let you in on a secret: Guinness is actually low in both alcohol and calories. It’s creamy, smooth and slightly sweet, with notes of coffee, dark chocolate and roasted nuts. People have often compared the smoothness of this iconic Irish beer to milkshakes and lattes.

Several things set Guinness apart from other beers—the most noticeable being its dark, almost opaque color. This Irish stout’s color and caramelized flavor come from roasting the barley, similar to coffee beans, before adding it to the mash. Malted barley is also used to create Guinness. The malting process adds a sweet nuttiness to the beer and gives it a creamy texture and mouthfeel.

This Guinness float takes the Irish stout’s rich and complex flavors and enhances them with a deliciously creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream. I’m fairly certain that ice cream was not on the mind of Arthur Guinness when he opened his Dublin brewery in 1759. Nor are you likely to find a Guinness float on a pub menu in any of Ireland’s 22 counties. At least not yet. When word gets out about this boozy treat, it may become the official dessert of the Emerald Isle. The Guinness float might be the best beverage invention since, well, Guinness itself.

Ingredients for a Guinness Float

• Vanilla ice cream: Of all the flavors of ice cream to choose from, nothing beats a good scoop of premium vanilla ice cream to balance out the rich and roasted flavors of the stout. Choose a high-quality ice cream for maximum flavor and creaminess.
• Guinness Irish Stout: You’ll notice there is more than one variety of Guinness available at the store. For this recipe, choose the Guinness Draught over the Extra Stout. When a pint of Guinness is poured at a pub, it uses a mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas. This is different than a regular beer that uses straight carbon dioxide. The results of nitrogen are smaller bubbles and creamier, velvety textured beer. When buying Guinness in the store, the Guinness Draught cans or bottles have a tiny widget inside, filled with nitrogen to produce the same effect and flavor at home. The Extra Stout is stronger, smokier and more robust, with a higher alcohol content and less creamy profile.
• Chocolate syrup: A couple of tablespoons of chocolate syrup will add sweetness and enhance the dark chocolate notes within the stout. Try making your own chocolate syrup for a better taste and lower cost than store-bought syrup.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ice cream and stout

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Place a scoop of ice cream at the bottom of two pint glasses. Carefully pour 1 cup of Guinness Irish Stout down the side of each glass while holding it at an angle.

Step 2: Finish with chocolate syrup

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Allow the stout to settle, and then add a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Serve immediately.

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Guinness Float Variations

• Add caramel sauce: Introduce a new flavor to the Guinness float by adding a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top. The caramel will enhance the slight toffee notes already present in the stout.
• Make it minty: Replace the vanilla ice cream with mint ice cream for an adult twist on a Shamrock Shake for St. Patrick’s Day.
• Give it a Caribbean accent: Give the Guinness float a tropical twist by subbing in coconut ice cream and adding a shot of spiced rum. It will make it a boozier drink that’s the perfect finish to an outdoor cookout.

How to Store a Guinness Float

Since ice cream is a primary ingredient in this recipe, we don’t recommend storing leftovers, or waiting long to serve the drink. You can make a Guinness float and place it immediately into the refrigerator to keep the ice cream from melting too quickly if you’re whipping up a large batch of these treats.

Guinness Float Tips

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Can these Guinness floats be made alcohol-free?

They can. Guinness Draught is now available as a nonalcoholic beer. The same creamy, rich and velvety profile can be made into a virgin version of the Guinness Float. Look for cans labeled Guinness Non-Alcoholic Draft at your local market.

Can I make a Guinness beer float stronger?

If you want to add a little more alcohol, you can spike the floats with a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream or your favorite Irish whiskey.

Can I add additional toppings?

Definitely. Add whipped cream and crushed pistachios or pecans. Top it off with a delicious Luxardo cherry to take your Guinness float to the next level of decadence.