This Ninja Creami soda recipe turns a classic fizzy drink into a fun, creamy frozen dessert with a nostalgic float-style flavor. It’s simple to make, easy to customize, and a playful way to enjoy soda in a thicker, scoopable form.
Ingredients
- 2 cups soda, any flavor
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk, dairy or dairy-free
- 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar, optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- Pinch of salt
Optional mix-ins:
- Crushed cookies
- Chocolate chips
- Maraschino cherries
- Whipped cream pieces
- Caramel drizzle
- Chopped nuts
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Candy pieces
Instructions
- Let the soda go flat slightly.
Pour the soda into a large measuring cup or bowl and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes so some of the carbonation can settle. This helps prevent too much foam when mixing and gives you a smoother base. - Mix the base.
In a medium bowl, combine the soda, heavy cream, milk, sugar if using, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir gently until smooth and fully blended. Try not to whisk too aggressively so the mixture does not foam too much. - Taste and adjust.
Taste the base before freezing. If you want it sweeter, add a little more sugar. If you want a stronger float-style flavor, add a touch more vanilla. The base should taste slightly sweeter than you want the finished dessert to be because freezing dulls sweetness. - Pour into the pint.
Transfer the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container. Make sure it stays below the MAX FILL line. Leave a little room at the top if you plan to add mix-ins later. - Freeze completely.
Place the lid on the pint and freeze it upright for at least 24 hours. For the best result, freeze it on a level surface so the mixture sets evenly. - Spin in the Ninja Creami.
Remove the pint from the freezer and place it into the outer bowl assembly. Attach the lid and process it using the Ice Cream or Lite Ice Cream setting depending on the texture you want. - Check the texture.
After the first spin, the mixture may look crumbly or a little dry. This is normal. Use a spoon to check the center before deciding whether it needs more liquid. - Re-spin if needed.
If the texture is not creamy enough, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and run the Re-spin cycle. Repeat once more if necessary until smooth and scoopable. - Add mix-ins.
If you want extra texture, make a small well in the center of the ice cream, add your mix-ins, and run the Mix-ins cycle to distribute them evenly. - Serve.
Serve immediately for a soft-serve texture, or freeze for 30 to 60 minutes if you want a firmer scoop.
Recipe Tips
- Cream soda, root beer, orange soda, and grape soda all work well.
- Letting the soda sit before mixing helps reduce foam and overflow.
- Vanilla pairs especially well with most soda flavors.
- Whipped cream and maraschino cherries make a classic float-style finish.
- If the soda flavor seems faint after freezing, add a little extra syrup or extract before freezing next time.