Make a Root Beer Float

Check out how to Make a Root Beer Float! With bubbly root beer and creamy vanilla ice cream, it’s a great way to cool down and enjoy a treat!

This time of year is so exciting. We love the warmer weather and all of the summer holidays that come with it. That means we are also looking to pull out the nostalgic recipes and nothing could be more nostalgic than a root beer float.

There’s just something about that super fizzy soda bubbling around the melting creamy vanilla ice cream. So good and brings back all those childhood memories – especially when celebrating the summer holidays.

**Don’t miss our Italian Cream Soda recipe!

Did you grow up having floats as a kid? They are so simple and yet there’s something so special about making them and enjoying them with those you love.

We used to have an A&W near our house when we lived in NV and we would get them every so often and treat the kids. Now our closest one is about 3 hours away – so we haven’t made the trek to visit down there yet. Fortunately, it is so easy to make them that we don’t have to go there to enjoy a frosty one.

rootbeer float

Here are some commonly asked questions

How to drink a root beer float

Depending on your preference, you can either drink the float or use a spoon. This will depend on the ratio of ice cream to soda and how you like it. I happen to like more ice cream – but I’m an ice cream girl.

There isn’t a “proper way” to enjoy it – just go with how YOU like it!

rootbeer float recipe

The history behind the root beer float

The owner of Cripple Creek Brewing, Frank J. Wisner, made the first known root beer float on August 19, 1893. It is said that he was inspired by the snowy peaks of the Cow Mountains because they resembled ice cream floating in soda. He combined root beer and vanilla ice cream the next day and called it a “Black Cow”.

float root beer

How to make a root beer float

1. To make the float frosty, place the glasses or mugs in the freezer about 30 minutes before serving.
2. Add several scoops of ice cream to the chilled glasses.
3. Pour the root beer over the ice cream.
4. Add any toppings you like.
5. Serve immediately.

Ingredients for a root beer float

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Root Beer
• Maraschino cherries

recipe variations

• make with chocolate ice cream
• use another flavor of soda – such as cream soda, chocolate soda, or grape soda (yes it makes it into an entirely different drink – but still good)
• make with frozen yogurt instead to lighten it up and give a little tang

classic root beer float

Tips for making the BEST root beer float

• pour the root beer slowly and at an angle to reduce the added fizz
• always use the best possible slow churn ice cream so it is ultra creamy – or use homemade
• freeze the glasses prior to prep
• use your favorite root beer – a link to my favorite is below
• top with whipped cream and a cherry if desired – we left off the whipped cream here
• use tall glasses so you have enough space for at least 2 scoops of ice cream for an adult-portion
• try making this with a dairy-free “nice cream” – as we did here with our banana root beer float

how to make a rootbeer float

• vanilla ice cream
• root beer
• maraschino cherries
• mugs
• ice cream scooper
• paper straws

ice cream drinks

If you love this Easy float recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

If you love this recipe for this classic frozen drink as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!