The Adult Purple Cow – A Vodka and Nehi Grape Soda Float

Share this...

Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Leah Hall

A boozy version of the kid’s classic Purple Cow Float!

There are many flavors that can take you right back to your childhood, be it that cookie your grandma made, your favorite candy, or a treat. One treat for Leah was the Purple Cow. It’s a soda float made with vanilla ice cream and grape Nehi soda that was famous at soda fountains all across the Midwest.

What if we recaptured that childhood flavor but added a definite adult edge and made an Adult Purple Cow?

This post contains affiliate links for products that we think you as readers might find useful, and we make commission off of these! For more details about our affiliates, click our Disclosure and Contacts Page.

Luxardo Cherries / Highball Glasses / Paper Straws

We took a little road trip recently and at one of our stops we needed a little refreshment. That’s when we saw we had the chance to hit an old fashioned soda fountain where they had all kinds of vintage sodas. One of those sodas was Nehi Grape, which is classic soda that has been around since the 1920’s and was the choice of Radar O’Reilly in the show M*A*S*H*!

Drinking a Nehi Grape is like taking a trip back to your childhood, rolling down the sidewalk on your bike, watching fireflies on a hot summer night or spending the whole day outside with your friends! Nehi Grape tastes like you think the color purple might taste. It’s apologetically candy sweet and kind of artificial grape flavored, this soda tastes totally vintage like the glass bottles with the old fashioned letters that looks like something you might find in your grandma’s icebox.

If You are Looking for More Vodka Cocktails, Try These!

• Concord Grape Moscow Mule
• Latte Martini and Blueberry Pie Cocktail
• Galaxy Magic Moscow Mule
• Rosemary Grapefruit Moscow Mule
• Salted Bourbon Butterscotch White Russian
• Black and Tangerine Vodka Tonic
• Chai Toasted Cream White Russian
• Spicy Bloody Mary
• Polyjuice Potion
• Rhubasil

While this old fashioned soda might not have the most authentic natural flavor, it is really fantastic when mixed with vanilla ice cream to make a float. The sweet soda mixes with the creamy vanilla and makes a delicious lavender colored foam. The foam tastes like a grape creamsicle known as the Purple Cow float.

What Ingredients are Needed for the Purple Cow Float?

• Vodka
• Whipped Cream
• Grape Soda
• Vanilla Ice Cream

Being cocktail bloggers, it is only natural that we added a little boozy component to this creamy sweet treat. You know we love boozy desserts! We decided not to mess with the classic flavor of the Purple Cow, so we decided to go with vodka, a spirit that is relatively unflavored.

The sweetness of the Nehi Grape helps cut any burn from the vodka that might have been present. This makes this a prefect boozy float! Leave out the vodka and the kids can have the same drink as you!

We topped the whole float with some whipped cream and put a cherry on top! One of our brandied cherries of course! This brings the whole treat together!

Cheers!

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #gastronomcocktails so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

You can also subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a delicious recipe again!

Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Concord Grape Moscow Mule

Concord Negroni Flip Cocktail

Other Adult Ice Cream Floats

• Adult Root Beer Float – Cookie Rookie
• Russian Root Beer Float – Onion Rings and Things
• Kahlua Coke Float – Feast and West
• Boozy Cheery Coke Floats – Cooking Is Messy
• Champagne Floats – Eating Well

Continue to Content

Yield: 1

The Adult Purple Cow - A Vodka and Nehi Grape Soda Float

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

A childhood favorite has been turned into an adult favorite with vodka and Grape Nehi soda.

Print

Ingredients

Purple Cow Float with Vodka

• 1 ounce vodka
• 2-3 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 4-5 ounces Grape Nehi soda
• cherry for garnish
• whipped cream

Instructions

Add the ice cream to a tall glass.

Add the vodka.

Top with Grape Nehi soda.

Garnish with whipped cream and a brandied cherry.

Cheers!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Mikasa Laura High Ball Glass, 15.5-Ounce, Set of 4
• 
  Luxardo, Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries 400G Jar
• 
  Nehi Grape Soda, 12 Ounce (12 Glass Bottles)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 393Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 125mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 1gSugar: 28gProtein: 4.6g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Interested in stocking your own home bar? Make sure to see our favorites at our Amazon Store!

If you liked this post, don’t forget to subscribe for new (and of course free) recipes by entering your email address on the side bar (and get all the recipes delivered to your inbox when we post), so you don’t miss out on a thing. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Gastronomblog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Share this...