Strawberry Splash Recipe
lemonade, cotton candy & gummy peach floatie
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Ingredients
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Cotton Candy Lemonade Base
Strawberry Swirl
Gummy Peach Floaties & Garnish
Method
Cotton Candy Lemonade Base
Make lemonade
In a pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 cups cold water and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Infuse with cotton candy
Add the 2 oz of pink cotton candy to the pitcher and stir gently until it fully dissolves into the lemonade, turning the liquid a pale pink and adding a light cotton-candy aroma. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding up to 1 tbsp more sugar if desired.
Add 3 cups of ice to the pitcher to chill the lemonade. Keep the pitcher chilled while you prepare the strawberry swirl.
Strawberry Swirl
Make strawberry puree
Place 1 cup hulled strawberries, 2 tablespoons simple syrup and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. If you prefer a thinner swirl, add 1–2 teaspoons cold water and blend again. Strain through a fine mesh sieve for a smooth sauce if desired.
Transfer the strawberry puree to a small squeeze bottle or a measuring cup with a spout to make it easy to create a swirl in each glass.
Gummy Peach Floaties & Assembly
Prepare glasses
Chill four tall glasses in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill with ice while assembling to keep the drink cold.
Add strawberry swirl
Drizzle 1–2 tablespoons of the strawberry puree around the inside of each glass, letting it naturally streak down the sides to create a swirl effect.
Pour lemonade
Fill each prepared glass about three-quarters full with the cotton candy lemonade from the pitcher, pouring gently to preserve the swirl.
Add ice cream float
Place one generous scoop of vanilla ice cream (or peach sorbet) on top of each drink so it floats and slowly melts into the lemonade, creating a creamy top layer.
Garnish and finish
Garnish each glass with a lemon slice on the rim, a small tuft (about 0.125 oz) of extra pink cotton candy perched on top of the ice cream (add just before serving so it doesn't dissolve), and 1–2 fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately with a straw and a long spoon.