On one particular day earlier in the week, the weather here in Northern Ireland was the warmest December day since 1964. It was a little breezy, but it felt like a prairie chinook-warm and humid, and wonderful compared to the weather that we would normally be having at this time of year. In fact, the temperature was warmer than many days over the summer!
I’ll admit, it is more difficult to get into the festive feeling of the season without snow, blizzards, snowmen, ‘proper’ winter clothing, and the twilight twinkling off the snow as one walks or drives through the city looking at the Christmas lights.
After 13 years, you’d think I’d be used to it. But I’m not.
The other day I was looking through the cupboard and saw a bottle of The Good Cider of San Sebastian in a Wild Berry flavour and I was feeling a bit naughty so I thought I’d have some fun.
Wild Berry sounds like a great choice for summer or autumn, but I’m from a place where on the coldest day of winter and the windchill drops to -50C, ice cream is a hot seller – I kid you not! So I thought I’d try to combine the feel of summer and the cheerfulness of Christmas together.
Could it be done?
It surely can be!
This is the easiest Cider Float Ever!

Pour half a bottle of Wild Berry cider into a tall glass.
Add a generous scoop of ice cream (I found that raspberry ripple was a perfect match).
And add a few candy sprinkles on top for extra-specialness (This is indeed a word – in my world).
Add a bendy straw and a long spoon so that you can reach the ice cream that will be at the bottom of your glass. You won’t want to miss one little taste.
If you really want a treat, add a Jules Destrooper Butter Crisp (USA link here).
Now sit down, turn up the Christmas tunes, read your copy of Mom For The Holidays (USA link), and enjoy a little taste of summer, while the colours are certainly festive. You’ll soon be ready to start your wrapping and card writing (don’t tell me I’m the only one who hasn’t put any into the post yet?).
