Prep time: 10 min   Serves: 2   Difficulty: Easy   Dairy-free option: Yes

Remember those strawberry floats from childhood? The ones with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream bobbing like a cloud across a pool of fizzy pink soda, melting just fast enough that you were willing to risk a brain freeze just to slurp it down before the cream began melting over the rim? This is the elevated, grown up-friendly version, made with ingredients that won’t leave you riding the waves of a wild sugar high followed by the inevitable crash that came right after.

Instead of ice cream, we're making a protein crème base using Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and a scoop of vanilla protein powder that becomes a light, fluffy, perfectly sweet whip that’s seductively satisfying and genuinely good for you. We’re skipping the sugar-saturated soda, replacing it with a summertime favorite, Strawberry Bubbles, to bring you a dessert-inspired drink with sunshine-ripe strawberry flavor that tastes just like the real thing.

The result? A float that offers a subtle sparkle, a creamy finish, and a pop of protein that’s low in sugar and big on bold, fruit-forward flavor. Whether you're making it for a post-workout refuel or a secretly healthy treat, this one's guaranteed to become a regular recipe repeat.

What You’ll Need:

For the Protein Cream Base

• 1 scoop (approx. 25g) vanilla protein powder
• ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (regular or reduced-fat)
• 1 tablespoon powdered monk fruit sweetener (or powdered erythritol)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Float

• 1 can (16 fl oz) Strawberry Bubbles, well chilled
• 6 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced, plus 2 whole for garnish
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream (optional, for topping)

What You’ll Do:

1. Make the protein cream base. In a mixing bowl, beat together the Greek yogurt, cream cheese, monk fruit sweetener, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute. Fold in the vanilla protein powder and mix until fully combined and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetener if needed. Chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes while you prep everything else.
2. Whip the cream (optional). If using, whip the heavy cream with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. Keep cold until ready to use. Skip this step if going whipped-cream-free, the float is excellent either way.
3. Layer the strawberries. Divide the sliced strawberries between two tall, chilled glasses. Press a few slices against the inside of the glass for a pretty layered look.
4. Add the protein cream. Spoon a generous dollop of the protein cream base over the strawberries in each glass, about half the mixture per glass.
5. Pour the Strawberry Bubbles. Slowly pour the Strawberry Bubbles down the side of each glass, dividing evenly. Go low and slow to preserve the bubbles and create that classic float effect. Do not stir.
6. Top and serve. Top each float with whipped cream (if using) and a whole fresh strawberry on the rim. Serve immediately with a wide straw and a long spoon. 

Tips & Swaps

• Protein powder pick: Use a vanilla whey or plant-based protein with a clean ingredient list and under 3g sugar per serving. Unflavored or lightly sweetened works too since Strawberry Bubbles brings plenty of flavor on its own.
• Make it dairy-free: Swap the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt, the cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative, and skip the whipped cream or use coconut whipped cream instead.
• No monk fruit? A small drizzle of honey or maple syrup works.  Just know it will add a little sugar. Taste as you go; the Strawberry Bubbles offers a zero-sugar burst of subtly sweet flavor.
• Keep the fizz alive: Pour the sparkling water slowly down the side of the glass over the cream base and resist the urge to stir. The float effect is the whole vibe — don't rush it.