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  • Makes 1
  • 5 minutes
  • Difficulty Easy
  • 5 Ingredients

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The good old-fashioned spider drink is an Aussie classic that every kid loves making and every parent feels nostalgic about. And if you fancy whipping some up for movie night or a birthday party, scroll down for a simple recipe that tastes just like the ones you had growing up.

What exactly is a Spider drink?

A Spider is a type of fizzy-slash-creamy beverage made using soft drinks and scoops of ice cream. Also called an ‘ice cream float’, it’s usually served in a tall glass and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles or a cherry on top.

Basically, Spiders have all the yumminess of a milkshake, but with the added fun of fizz!

The story goes that the famous drink dates back to 1874 when a quick-thinking vendor use ice cream in his drinks when he ran out of ice. Customers went crazy for the wacky drink, and the vendor ended up offering a host of different flavoured syrups for people to try.

What’s in it?

Ice cream float drink

In Australia, the traditional Spider drink recipe calls for Coke and vanilla ice cream, but the imagination is the limit with how you make yours. You might try Fanta with chocolate ice cream for all the Jaffa vibes, or maybe raspberry soda with strawberry ice cream for a next-level pink party drink. All you need to do is let your taste buds lead the way.

Why is a Spider drink called that?

It’s a very good question and the good news is that it actually has less to do with creepy crawlies and more to do with webs. You see, Spiders are so-called because when the fizz (or carbonation) of the soda combines with the ice cream, it froths up and creates a web-like effect.

The webby frothiness is quite short-lived, though. Once little (or big) hands start stirring the drink, it quickly becomes more of a murky soup!

How to make a Spider:

Whether you’re treating the kids to their very first Spider, or just want to take a trip down memory lane, this recipe contributed MoM Member, Rebecca, will have you sorted in a matter of minutes. All you’ll need is some ice cream, your choice of soft drink and a tall glass. Enjoy!

Spider drink recipe by Rebecca
Spider drink recipe contributed by Rebecca

 


Ingredients (makes 1 Spider Drink)

  • 1 can coke/lemonade/passiona/solo (your soft drink of choice)
  • 2 scoops vanilla ice cream (or your favourite flavour)
  • optional chocolate ice cream topping (or caramel/strawberry etc)
  • optional sprinkles
  • 1 paper straw

Method

  1. Scoop ice cream into a tall glass, add a swirl of chocolate topping if you choose.
  2. Fill slowly with soft drink. Be careful not to over fill.
  3. Top with sprinkles and serve with straw and spoon.

Planning a party? Take a look at these recipes contributed by our members:

 
  • Spider is my kids fav. They love the maccas spiders too, frozen coke and soft serve icecream on top!

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  • Love drinking these as a child and my children love them too. Remember my older boys showing one of their cousins how to make one at a wedding. His guardian was horrified that someone would drink something like this. They were happy making and drinking them.

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  • A twist on the root beer float- love it!

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  • I always forget about this classic drink! I need to do it for our kids one night soon.

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  • Wow I haven’t had a spider since I was a kid!

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  • Haven’t had one of these in years!!!

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  • Wow what a great idea thank you for sharing

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  • I remember having these as a kid. My kids have tried them but not for a long time.

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  • Oh wow! I used to love making spiders! I don’t think my kids have ever had one… :/

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  • OMG haven’t had a spider in years! I think I was a kid at Pizza Hut all you can eat.

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  • Step 2 . Fill slowly with soft drink……..
    we’ve all filled the glass a bit too quickly and watched it foam all over the edge 🙂

    Reply

  • This is a great summer special treat for kids.

    Reply

  • One of my grandkids had one recently at a school event, they called them Ice Cream Sodas (very American lol). He was in heaven and can’t wait to have one again but they rarely get soft drink.

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  • I remember having these drinks when I was young. There was no limit to the flavours you can make.

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  • I love Spider’s. Used to love getting them from Pancake Palour or DD’s Cafè. Blue Heaven was always the best flavour!!! I try making em at home, now as an adult but they don’t seem to taste the same.

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  • Wow! This takes me back. We did introduce our son to spider drinks years ago as a treat. I remember them fondly as such an amazing treat. Sadly there’s so many more options now.

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  • These used to be my favourite thing as a kid!

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  • It’s been soooo many years since I’ve had a spider. I could see my kids loving this. Think I’d best give them one.

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  • Love spiders I’ll go the lime soft drink and vanilla ice-cream as my favourite

    Reply

  • I love the good old Spiders my all time favourite one has to be Creaming Soda

    Reply

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