An ice cream spider is the fizzy float that turns up at every Aussie kid’s birthday — a glass of soft drink with a scoop of vanilla ice cream dropped in, foaming up over the rim. Add a swirl of fresh whipped cream on top and it becomes a proper dessert. Here’s how to build one, the classic flavour combinations, and why that foam happens.
What is an ice cream spider?
A spider is a float: cold soft drink poured over ice cream. As the fizz meets the ice cream, the dissolved gas grabs onto the fat and sugar and erupts into a thick, creamy foam — that foaming head is the “spider”. In Australia it’s usually made with creaming soda or lemonade. The same drink gets called a float in other parts of the world.
The classic combinations
Creaming soda with vanilla ice cream is the original — the pink one most people picture. A coke spider (Coca-Cola and vanilla) is the other classic. Lemonade with vanilla is lighter and good for kids, and Fanta or another orange soft drink gives you something close to an orange Creamsicle in a glass.
How to make one
Start with a tall glass, chilled if you can — a cold glass foams less violently and overflows less. Add one or two scoops of vanilla ice cream, then pour the soft drink slowly down the inside of the glass. Pour too fast and you’ll wear the foam. Top with whipped cream and serve with both a spoon and a straw.
Finish it with fresh whipped cream
Whipped cream made in a dispenser holds its shape on top of the fizz instead of sinking into it. For a quick topping, whisk 2 tablespoons of icing sugar and a little vanilla into 500ml of cold cream, strain it into a dispenser, charge, and pipe it on. If you want the chocolate version for a coke spider, our chocolate whipped cream recipe is the same method with cocoa added.
Variations worth trying
Swap in chocolate ice cream and chocolate cream over cola for a chocolate spider. For an adults-only version, our alcohol-infused whipped cream on top turns it into a grown-up float. Or go the affogato route: vanilla ice cream, a shot of espresso, and a cap of cream.
The gear
All you need for the topping is a dispenser and a charger — the Skywhip Pro 500ml whipper and any charger from our cream chargers range.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a spider?
The webby, foaming head the ice cream makes when the fizz hits it. No one’s completely sure of the origin, but the foam is where the name comes from.
What soft drink is best?
Creaming soda is the classic; lemonade and cola are the other favourites. Any well-carbonated soft drink foams up nicely.
How do I stop it overflowing?
Use a cold glass and pour the soft drink slowly down the side, not straight onto the ice cream.
