Root Beer Float
An American Classic - Root Beer Float is the quintessential summer treat! With scoops of vanilla ice cream ‘floating’ in bubbly foamy root beer.
Ingredients
- 1 liter root beer chilled (A&W®, Virgil’s, IBC, Barq’s, Henry Weinhart’s, Dad’s, or your preferred)
- 4-8 scoops vanilla ice cream
Optional Toppings
- whipped cream
- Maraschino cherry
- Root beer candies
Instructions
Method 1: Root Beer First
- In chilled tall glasses, pour the chilled root beer in slowly at an angle to reduce fizz and risk of overflow. Fill three-quarters of the way with root beer.
- Place 1-2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in each glass.
- Sprinkle the crushed root beer candies over the top.
- Serve immediately, with long straws and long-handled spoons.
Method 2: Ice Cream First
- Spoon 1-2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into tall chilled glasses.
- Slowly pour root beer at an angle into the glass, allowing the foam to rise and then recede before adding more root beer.
- Top with whipped cream and a cherry. For crunchy fun, sprinkle crushed root beer candies on top.
- Serve with long straws and long-handled spoons.
Notes
A FUN FAMILY and FRIENDS NIGHT OR KIDS FLOAT BAR
I sincerely hope you enjoy and recreate our favorite summer ice cream treats by having a family, friends fun night. Plan a Float Bar with a variety of beverages and ice cream flavors and a Shortcake Bar including a variety of baked or purchased cakes hugging delicious flavored ice creams (I’m already thinking shortcakes with lemon custard ice cream, fresh blueberries and toasted pistachios), and all sorts of toppings and add-ins. Kids would have a blast with this fun party idea.
Variations: There are many.
If you’re not too keen on the taste of sassafras, try recreating a float using Vernors ginger ale and vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect alternative.
Root Beer Floats was one of our favorite parts of the long, hot summers, along with running through sprinklers and riding bikes after dark. As kids we enjoyed all kinds of flavored beverages and ice cream combinations way before we knew there were names for them. Ah, the crazy fun we could have had knowing these names:
Black Cow - root beer with chocolate ice cream
Dream Float - orange soda and vanilla ice cream
Purple Cow - Welch’s grape soda and vanilla ice cream
My dad was a sherbet fan. His all time favorite float: vanilla ice cream, a scoop of orange sherbet and orange soda.
Enjoy❤️