Cinnamon-Spiced Mocha Floats

• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 3/4 cup boiling water
2. 1/2 cup finely ground espresso (1 ounce)
3. 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4. 1 teaspoon cinnamon, preferably Vietnamese (see Note), plus more for sprinkling
5. 2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
6. 1 cup heavy cream
7. 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8. Chilled club soda

1. In a glass measuring cup, pour the boiling water over the espresso. Cover the measuring cup with a small plate and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the espresso through a paper filter into a small saucepan.
2. Whisk 1/4 cup of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon into the espresso and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to moderate and simmer for 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the chocolate and, using a wooden spoon, stir until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the mocha mixture into a small bowl and let cool to room temperature, stirring a few times.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla until the cream holds soft peaks. Add the cooled mocha mixture and whip until the cream holds firm peaks. Cover the mocha cream and freeze until set, about 3 hours.
4. Using a medium ice cream scoop, add 3 or 4 small scoops of the frozen cream to tall soda glasses. Add club soda and sprinkle cinnamon over the top. Serve at once with a straw and a long-handled spoon.