Lime Rickey Float With Raspberry Sauce

raspberry float

A fun adaptation of the classic Raspberry Lime Rickey soda fountain drink!

This float is so easy to make and is just as refreshing as the soda fountain drink.

This Lime Rickey summer drink is a fizzy, fruity throwback to the days of soda fountains and spinning barstools complete with homemade raspberry sauce and a scoop of citrusy sherbet.

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Tips for the Perfect Lime Rickey Float

  • Chill everything first: Pop your soda, glasses, and raspberry sauce in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before assembling it helps the float stay fizzy and frosty longer.

  • Pour slow: Add soda slowly down the side of the glass to keep that dreamy fizz from overflowing.

  • Layer your flavors: A little raspberry sauce at the bottom, some in the middle, and a drizzle on top creates that perfect tart-sweet balance in every bite.

raspberry
raspberry sauce

HISTORY OF THE LIME RICKEY SODA FOUNTAIN DRINK

Attached are articles on the history of the Lime Rickey drink and a recipe for the original drink.

https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/04/lime-rickey-soda-fountain-history.html

https://newengland.com/today/food/beverages/raspberry-lime-rickey-recipe/Make it stand out

🥤 5 Reasons Why This Lime Rickey Summer Drink Is a Must Try

  1. It’s Pure Soda Fountain Nostalgia
    This fizzy float brings back the magic of mid-century diners and soda shops — it’s like sipping history through a paper straw.

  2. Sweet Meets Tart in the Best Way
    The zingy lime soda, creamy vanilla ice cream, and bright raspberry sauce are a match made in retro heaven.

  3. It’s a Showstopper in a Glass
    Layers of fizz, fruit, and ice cream make this float as gorgeous as it is delicious — perfect for parties, photo ops, or treating yourself.

  4. Easy to Make with Everyday Ingredients
    No fancy equipment here — just scoop, pour, drizzle, and enjoy. It’s quick, budget friendly, and totally customizable.

  5. Kid-Friendly or Cocktail-Ready
    Keep it sweet and soda-shop classic, or spike it with a little gin or vodka for a grown-up twist. One recipe, endless possibilities!

Lime Rickey Float with Homemade Raspberry Sauce

Circa 1940s–1960s Soda Fountain Classic

Bring the charm of a vintage soda fountain right to your kitchen with this refreshing Lime Rickey Float!

Tart raspberry sauce meets zesty lime sherbet and fizzy lemon-lime soda for a nostalgic treat that's sweet, tangy, and oh-so satisfying.

🕰 Tips Before You Begin:

  • Place float glasses in the freezer while making the raspberry sauce for a frosty, soda shop feel.

  • Try layering both raspberry and lime sherbet for an extra zingy twist.

  • Raspberry sauce will naturally thicken as it cools.

⏰ Prep & Cook Time

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes

  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

  • Chill Time: 30 minutes

  • Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Raspberry Sauce:

  • 12 oz fresh or frozen raspberries

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Float:

  • Lime sherbet (or lime & raspberry combo)

  • 1 can of 7UP or lemon-lime soda

  • Whipped cream

  • Fresh lime slices (for garnish)

  • Optional: fresh raspberries

Raspberry Sauce Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, add water and sugar over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.

  2. Add raspberries and bring to a gentle boil.

  3. Reduce heat to low-medium and simmer for 25–30 minutes.

  4. Strain sauce using a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds.

  5. Chill sauce in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before using.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Assemble the Float

  1. Drizzle chilled raspberry sauce into the bottom of each frosted glass.

  2. Add 2 scoops of lime sherbet.

  3. Pour lemon-lime soda slowly over the sherbet to avoid overflow.

  4. Add a second drizzle of raspberry sauce on top.

  5. Top with whipped cream and garnish with lime slices and/or raspberries.

  6. Serve with a straw or long spoon and enjoy the vintage vibes!

Love vintage drinks? Bookmark this one and explore our Retro Menu for more soda fountain favorites!

The Raspberry Lime Rickey float would be fun to serve at a summer party!

  • nonalcoholic

  • fun for kids

  • can be served in spring & summer.

  • refreshing

  • nostalgic

  • The raspberry sauce recipe

  • makes enough for 6 floats.

Whether you’re sippin’ poolside or serving up smiles at your next backyard bash, this Lime Rickey Float is a zesty little showstopper!

Be sure to bookmark this one because fizzy fun never goes out of style.

Want more vintage dessert drinks? Just click the button above and cruise the full retro recipe lineup!

Until next time - Shelly

💌 This recipe is part of the Vintage by the Bite collection where 1940s–1960s recipes live on in today’s kitchens.

From fizzy drinks to Sunday suppers, we’re preserving the past one bite at a time.

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