Amaro Float Recipe

Chill and choose

Chill your glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes so the float stays cold longer. Decide which amaro variant you will prepare: (a) Cappelletti with vanilla, (b) Amaro di Angostura with vanilla/chocolate swirl, or (c) Branca Menta with chocolate.

Slightly soften soft serve

Let the chosen soft serve or ice cream sit at room temperature for 1–2 minutes until scoopable but still cold and stiff. You want it malleable enough to form a scoop but not melting.

Add amaro

Pour 3 tbs (about 45 ml) Cappelletti into the chilled glass. Swirl the glass gently so the amaro coats the inside slightly.

Top with soft serve

Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, add about 2 heaping tablespoons (approx. 1/3 to 1/2 cup) of vanilla soft serve into the glass so it sits partially immersed in the amaro but still peaks above the rim if desired.

Garnish & serve

Express an orange twist over the float to add bright citrus oil, drop it on the rim, and serve immediately with a spoon. Sip the amaro through the melting vanilla or scoop bites of soft serve alternately with sips of the amaro.

Add amaro

Pour 3 tbs (about 45 ml) Amaro di Angostura into the chilled glass. If you prefer a touch of sweetness to bridge bitter notes, stir in 1 teaspoon simple syrup into the amaro.

Add swirl soft serve

Spoon in about 2 heaping tablespoons (approx. 1/3 to 1/2 cup) of a vanilla/chocolate swirl soft serve so it sits in the amaro. The marbling of vanilla and chocolate pairs with Angostura's spice.

Serve

Insert a short spoon or straw and serve immediately. Encourage alternating sips and spoonfuls so the bitter amaro and creamy swirl balance on the palate.

Add amaro

Pour 3 tbs (about 45 ml) Branca Menta into the chilled glass. The minty liqueur is bright and sweet, so no additional sweetener is usually needed.

Add chocolate soft serve

Add about 2 heaping tablespoons (approx. 1/3 to 1/2 cup) of chocolate soft serve into the glass so it partially floats in the Branca Menta.

Garnish & finish

Grate a little dark chocolate over the soft serve and add a mint sprig for aroma. Serve immediately with a spoon or straw.

Adjust amaro quantity: 3 tbs is a guideline (about 45 ml). For a stronger boozy hit, increase to 1.5 oz (45 ml) or reduce to 2 tbs for a gentler flavor. Use high-quality soft serve or artisan ice cream for best texture.

If using scooped ice cream instead of soft serve, soften just enough so it nests in the glass but doesn't melt quickly. Prepare glasses right before serving to preserve the float texture.