Dr Pepper Float Ice Cream Review: A Creamy, Fizzy Float In A Bowl
To most Texans (and fans across the southern United States), Blue Bell ice cream and Dr Pepper are both pretty big deals. And the fact they are now combined into one delicious ice cream flavor is an even bigger deal. As die-hard fans of both of these treats, we knew we had to try the new Dr Pepper Float ice cream ASAP.
Blue Bell has been delighting taste buds since 1907, offering a rich and creamy indulgence that embodies the region's love for all things sweet. The brand has become synonymous with Southern comfort and tradition. In much the same way, Dr Pepper is also a Texas native that has a distinct and refreshing taste. Enjoying its unique blend of 23 flavors is a one-of-a-kind experience.
This exciting combo represents the fusion of two beloved Southern favorites, satisfying cravings with every creamy spoonful and fizzy sip. The partnership was presented as a delightful symbol of the region's rich culinary heritage. To anyone who has ever created a Dr Pepper float at home, this new flavor might sound like a dream come true. Here are our thoughts on it all.
Is there really Dr Pepper in Dr Pepper Float ice cream?
Blue Bell has really pulled off a marvel of food science with this new flavor. When the other Texas sweetheart Whataburger introduced its Dr Pepper-flavored shake, the actual ice cream was Dr Pepper-flavored. While we thought the milkshake was delicious and did in fact taste just like a creamy version of our favorite soda, Blue Bell was tasked with recreating an ice cream float in a cup.
To do this, the ice cream is not Dr Pepper-flavored; rather, the Texas creamery has combined its famous Homemade Vanilla ice cream with Dr Pepper-flavored sherbet. The ratio of each texture in the tub is such that each bite is perfectly balanced between the two. The reaction of the sherbet with the ice cream gives the treat the same exact sizzle that makes a float so appealing.
When we took our first bite, we had to sit back for a moment as we were so impressed. It was as if someone had poured a can of Dr Pepper onto our ice cream right there in front of us. If you've ever had a Dr Pepper icee, you will recognize the flavor and texture of the Dr Pepper sherbet.
What is in Dr Pepper Float ice cream?
The ingredients of Blue Bell's Dr Pepper Float ice cream are pretty standard. The list includes skim milk, corn syrup, milk, cream, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, stabilizers (modified cellulose gum, cellulose gum, guar gum, carrageenan, carob bean gum), and annatto color.
While there's no soy or nuts in Dr Pepper Float ice cream, other Blue Bell flavors do contain these ingredients. The company does batch produce flavors and deep-cleans its equipment after each production day, so no two flavors are created on the same line on the same day. However, it's worth keeping in mind if you have a severe allergy that requires you to avoid any potential cross-contamination.
Dr Pepper Float ice cream nutrition information
We tend to eat dessert solely for enjoyment, but knowing some of the nutritional facts about the Dr Pepper Float flavor ice cream can help you decide if it's a good fit for you. A serving size is ⅔ of a cup, which is roughly 105 grams. In that serving, there are 6 grams of fat (three of which are saturated), 15 milligrams of cholesterol, and 55 milligrams of sodium. There are also 29 grams of carbs and 22 grams of sugar, 18 of which are added. These figures tend to be pretty consistent for most Blue Bell flavors.
The ice cream is a great source of calcium and includes 100 milligrams per serving. You'll also get 3 grams of protein and 130 milligrams of potassium. We are strong believers that gains are gains, especially if they come from dessert.
What's the best way to eat Dr Pepper Float ice cream?
There is no right way to eat ice cream and there are plenty of ways to enjoy Blue Bell's Dr Pepper Float flavor. The dessert comes in two sizes: to share and not to share. While their official names are "half-gallon" and "pint," the smaller option is an excellent choice for those who want to sample the flavor before committing to a large portion. The sherbet vanilla swirl is perfect as a classic scoop in a bowl or as the base ingredient in an extra-flavorful Dr Pepper float.
While the Dr Pepper taste was very strong while eating the ice cream alone, we were curious how it would taste with even more Dr Pepper poured on top! While there should have been no question, we can honestly say it made things even more delicious. The flavor of the Dr Pepper sherbet inside the treat matches perfectly with the flavor of the famous soda. As the official Dr Pepper social media accounts have been excitedly chatting with fans about the flavor and helping them locate the treat, one thing is for certain: It's the real deal.
Where can I buy Dr Pepper Float ice cream?
Blue Bell is only available in certain regions of the U.S., which is unfortunate because this means that some fans will not have a chance to buy Dr Pepper Float ice cream at their local store. Sadly, most of the northern states are left out, including New England, the Midwest, and the west coast. If you live in the southern part of the country, particularly the southeast, you should be able to find the flavor at every grocery store, gas station, or other business that sells Blue Bell products.
But fear not! If you live out of the service area and still want to try this treat, Blue Bell will ship four half-gallons of the Dr Pepper Float ice cream to anywhere in the continental USA for just $142. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, the company will still ship to you, it will just cost slightly more.
There is no word yet on whether this is a limited-time flavor or a part of the permanent lineup. We assume the ice cream's staying power will be determined by sales, so if you want to try it out, you might want to do so sooner rather than later.
Are the fans on social media excited?
When Blue Bell announced the flavor on May 18, 2023, fans went wild. The ice cream already has a kind of cult-like following, so when combined with another beloved treat, the outpouring of excitement was immediate. "Dreams really do come true! I've been making DP floats my whole life. Sign me up!" reads one of the top comments on Facebook. "Two of the greatest Texas treats combined! Well done Blue Bell!" read another.
Over on Twitter, the reaction was just as positive. "Full sugar Dr Pepper over Blue Bell Dr Pepper ice cream, stirring together a double shot Dr Pepper ice cream float! Make it an extra large. Sure, it's wrong, but I don't wanna be right!" tweeted one dessert connoisseur. The online chatter around the flavor is framed as a huge and exciting, once-in-a-lifetime ultimate crossover by fans of Blue Bell and Dr Pepper. We simply couldn't find many who were disappointed by the news or didn't absolutely love the flavor.
The final verdict on Blue Bell's Dr Pepper Float ice cream
In addition to our own taste test, we had multiple fans try the new flavor, as well. Some said it is a bit too sweet or kind of tastes like cherry cough medicine, but then that's what the haters tend to say about Dr Pepper in general.
If you love the soda, you'll love this ice cream just as much as we did. We were impressed by the accuracy and strength of the Dr Pepper flavor. We also loved the sizzle of the sherbet swirls and how they perfectly mimicked the texture of mixing soda with vanilla ice cream.
We hope that Dr Pepper Float ice cream is a mainstay in the Blue Bell lineup for years to come. The treat combines two of our favorite food brands in a delicious marriage of flavor and fun and we will definitely be adding it to our regular dessert rotation.