Wow. What a full-of-fun, fast paced two weeks we’ve had. Our two precious grandchildren are packing up to go home today after two weeks with us. And, wow, did those two weeks fly by! Most of the past two weeks were spent exploring the northern part of the state of Arizona, including the Grand Canyon. It was a tremendous experience for all of us and I’ll be sharing a post on that trip soon. But after flying back and forth, and walking miles each day, this Nana is worn out. Even so, I’d do it all over again in a minute. Nothing like grandkids.
One of the things that I think the kids find truly entertaining, other than sightseeing around huge canyons and meteor craters, of course, is when BeeBop and I talk about the “old days.” You know – when we were kids – before cell phones and computers. And since we both grew up in very small southern towns, our old days talk can be somewhat quaint. One day I was talking about things my sisters and I did during summer vacation when we were children. Our vacations involved some work in the garden and preserving vegetables, etc., but we had loads of fun, too. And almost every day in the late afternoon we had a little snack. A real southern treat. Coke with salted peanuts.
I realize that many of you have never heard of this peculiar southern treat. But those folks around my age who grew up anywhere in rural south Georgia will know exactly how to do this. Take an 8 ounce Coca-Cola in the bottle. It has to be a bottle. No cans. Drink a few swallows so that there’s some room in the bottle. Now pour in a small package of salted peanuts. No more than an ounce. Drink the Coke and munch the peanuts. It’s a sweet and salty treat that I still enjoy, being the country girl that I am and all.
So while talking about Coke and peanuts, I found out that my grandchildren have never had Coke in the 8 ounce bottles. What! I knew I had to remedy that right away so I went straight to the store and picked up a six-pack. Of course it was more of a novelty than anything else, but they so enjoyed those little bottles of Coca-Cola. And at the end of the week there was one little bottle left. Hard to split that between two, so I came up with another childhood favorite for them to try – Coke Floats! According to them, they’d never enjoyed this particular treat either but were willing since it involved ice cream.
As simple as pie – just scoop some vanilla ice cream into a glass, pour over the Coke and enjoy! I added a little whipped cream and a cherry just for good measure.
After these last two weeks talking about our childhoods, BeeBop and I are now officially dinosaurs :-)
An Old-Fashioned Treat – Coke Floats
Ingredients
For each serving use:
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 4 oz. Coca-Cola
- Whipped Cream
- Cherry
Instructions
- Scoop the ice cream into tall glasses. Pour over the Coca-Cola. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.
Notes
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This post originally published June 18, 2012.
More recipes for floats you might enjoy:
- 9 Ice-Cold Summer Floats from Bon Appetit
- Ice Cream Float Recipes from Taste of Home
- Shakes and Floats Recipes from AllRecipes
[email protected] says
atOh my goodness!! My one son would love the Coke and peanuts – definitely going to have to “surprise” him with that one! I haven’t made Coke floats for them in ages so I guess I am gonna have to do that too :-)!
Sounds like you had a fabulous two weeks!!
Lana says
atNancy, we did have a fabulous time with them.
Can’t wait to hear your son’s reaction to the Coke and peanuts. That’s a real oldie and one that little southern country girls (and boys) know very well.
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
atSo glad to hear you had a great time with the grandkids. I think having one of these would make me feel like a grandkid…so I think it’s a must don’t you Lana? :)
Lana says
atDefinitely a must, Barbara. What’s life if you can’t indulge in a treat once in a while, right?
Cookin' Canuck says
atIt sounds like you had such a wonderful visit with your grandchildren. My kids are always enthralled with stories about the “old days”, too. They still have a hard time comprehending what black & white TV was all about. These coke floats are such a fun treat.
Lana says
atHa! Mine don’t have any idea what a rotary dial phone is!
Eileen says
atWhat fun to read your post today, especially since I’ve just enjoyed a week with my grandson and felt the love! Absolutely had many a Coke with peanuts….I will remember to do this and the Coke floats with him next time. We talked about the old TV but I was able to share the time BEFORE my family ha TV and we small children would peek in the neighbors’ window to see it! I appreciate the day brightener, thank you!
Lana says
atThat’s so funny, Eileen! We always had television, but there were only three channels :-)
Mary says
atGreat photos and great recipe – my girls are going to love these!
Mary x
Lana says
atI hope they enjoy them!
Cyndia says
atCo-cola and peanuts was one of my favorite treats, and I still enjoy it when I can! Thanks for sharing this!
Pam says
atI’ve only had root beer floats… these coke floats look amazing.
Miss P says
atDo I recall that Mama frowned upon us when we put peanuts in our co-cola’s? That it was somehow not exactly ladylike? Hummmmm….
Side note – I was always of the impression that the Coca Cola bottlers used the same amount of syrup in the 6 ounce bottles as the 10 ounce bottles. Thus, the smaller bottles had more of a jolt and were preferred. Wonder if there is any truth to that.
Looks like ya’ll had a great time.
Miss P
[email protected] says
atYay, so much fun!! I want one. :)
RecipeNewZ (@RecipeNewZ) says
atI never actually made floats… such a terrible gap in my culinary education. Now that I found your recipe I can finally fill it :-). These floats look absolutely delicious!
I found this post though Pinterest. The photo was so beautiful that I just had to come here to read the recipe! And I am so glad I stopped by – love your site!
I would like to invite you to share your recipes on a new photo based recipe sharing site that launched in May. The idea is simple: all photographs are published within minutes of submission. And, of course, the images link back to the author’s site. It’s called RecipeNewZ (with Z) – http://recipenewz.com
Hundreds of bloggers have already joined. I hope you too get a chance to visit and try it out. It would be a pleasure to have you on board :-)
Kay says
atHave to try these. Jayden is gonna love them. Cola is a rare treat for him :)
Trudi says
atThank you, as always!! I knew something was missing from the July 4th menu. I’m going to stick a little paper flag in the cherry.
Sues says
atI love this old-fashioned treat and it’s seriously been soooo long since I’ve had Coke, too. This hot weather definitely calls for a Coke float!
Claire says
atSuch a great post, my kids gonna love this <3