Rock Hill is still mired in the hot, sticky, dog days of summer, but here at the Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company, we can’t stop thinking about autumn and apples. Apples of all varieties will soon be rolling in by the bushel. When it’s this hot, an apple pie seems a bit much, even à la mode. Here’s a delightful recipe for Apple and Sprite Floats that makes great use of apples and produces an ice cream treat to stave off the remaining heat of summer.

Ingredients

• 2 apples (tart varieties work best), peeled, cored, and chopped into ½ inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup apple cider (fresh squeezed is best)
• 1 cup Sprite
• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Caramel sauce (optional)

Instructions:

• Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add the chopped apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Cook, stirring often, until the apples have browned a little and are starting to get soft. 
• Pour the cider over the apple mixture. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and the liquid has reduced slightly to form a flavorful apple compote. This step should take 10-15 minutes, depending on the variety of apples that you choose.
• Once the apples are cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool.
• Spoon a generous amount of the cooled apple compote into the bottom of large serving glasses.
• Slowly and carefully pour the Sprite over the apple compote, allowing it to fizz and mix with the flavors.
• Add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream on top of the apple compote and soda mixture in each glass.
• To really maximize the effect, drizzle caramel sauce over the ice cream and add a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Serve the apple soda floats immediately with a straw and a long spoon for scooping up the delicious layers.

These Apple Sprite Floats are sure to satisfy your need for apple-y goodness while still being cool enough to relieve you of the summer heat.