If you’ve never made a homemade root beer float, you’re in for such a treat! I’ve tested and perfected this classic recipe so you can make the best root beer float right at home. It's creamy, fizzy, and full of nostalgia!
This isn’t just any float recipe, it’s one my family makes all the time, and I’ve found all the little tricks to make the vanilla ice cream melt just the right way into the bubbly root beer!
I’ve spent plenty of time experimenting (and sipping!) to make sure this version tastes exactly how a perfect root beer float should, cold, creamy, and full of those signature bubbles that make you smile.
There’s something so fun about making floats together as a family. My kids love getting their tall glasses, picking their fun straws, and watching the fizz rise when the soda hits the ice cream. It’s pure magic in a cup! Sometimes, we even dip cookies into the floats or drizzle a little chocolate syrup over the top for extra fun. It’s not just a dessert, it’s an experience.
This recipe is so simple and nostalgic. When I was a kid, we’d make these on hot summer nights, and now I get to share that same tradition with my family. There’s just something comforting about a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into bubbly root beer. Every spoonful is creamy, fizzy, and sweet, it’s basically the taste of happiness.
Jump to:
A Little Root Beer Float History
The classic root beer float has been around for over a century! It was invented in the late 1800s when someone decided to pour soda over ice cream (genius, right?).
That’s how the “Black Cow,” as it was originally called, was born. Over the years, people started making all kinds of floats with different sodas, but the root beer float always stayed the most loved. There’s something about that mix of creamy vanilla ice cream and bubbly root beer that just works every single time!
Ingredients to Gather
You don’t need much to make the best root beer float, but the quality of your ingredients makes all the difference! Here’s what to grab:
- 2–3 scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream. If you've got some leftover ice cream, make a vanilla milkshake!
- 1 cup cold root beer soda (your favorite brand)
- A drizzle of chocolate syrup.
- Whipped cream. Make your own homemade whipped cream to take it to the next level!
- 1 or 2 maraschino cherries for topping
- A fun straw and a long spoon for serving
- Tall glasses, this is a big milkshake after all!
Pro tip: Chill your glasses and root beer in the freezer for about 10–15 minutes before you start. It helps keep everything icy cold and slows down the melting for that perfect root beer float moment.
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card for full recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the vanilla for chocolate ice cream and drizzle extra chocolate syrup on top. The chocolate lovers will love this!
- Add crushed cookies between scoops of ice cream before pouring in the root beer. It will make a cookies and cream version!
- Give it a fruity twist! Try cherry or orange soda for a fruity version of this classic recipe.
- Have an ice cream party! Mix and match, try creamy vanilla ice cream with a swirl of caramel, or even a scoop of coffee ice cream for something different.
- Make mini floats for kids! Make small versions in short glasses with tiny fun straws, the kids will love it!
How To Make a Classic Root Beer Float
Step 1
Add your ice cream to the large glass. Place a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream (or two!) into the bottom of the glass.
Step 2
Pour the root beer slowly. Tilt your glass slightly and pour the root beer over the ice cream.
Top it off. Add whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and a maraschino cherry on top.
Tips and Tricks
- If you want to take things up a notch, you can even blend the ice cream and root beer together in a blender for a frothy, milkshake-like version.
- Chill everything. Put your tall glasses in the freezer while you gather your ingredients. Cold glasses make all the difference!
- Make sure to pour the root beer slowly. Nice and slow so you don’t overflow with too much fizz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pour the soda slowly down the side of the glass and leave a little room at the top. The slower you pour, the less fizz you’ll have bubbling over!
Not really. Floats are best made right before serving so you can enjoy all that frothy, fizzy goodness.
Use your favorite! A good, strong root beer soda makes a big difference in flavor. Some people love A&W, while others prefer Barq’s or IBC.
Absolutely! Use a dairy-free creamy vanilla ice cream and a naturally caffeine-free root beer for a totally plant-based dessert.
The Perfect Root Beer Float
Equipment
- Ice Cream Scoop
- Large Glass
Ingredients
- 2 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1 cup Root Beer Chilled
Instructions
- Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream into a tall glass.
- Slowly pour chilled root beer over the ice cream. Pour gently to avoid too much foam.
- Add whipped cream and a cherry
Notes
- Make sure to chill your glasses! Cold glasses and soda help keep the ice cream from melting too quickly and give you that frosty, creamy texture.
- Pour the root beer down the side of the glass to reduce foam and avoid overflowing bubbles.
- Slightly firm (not melted) ice cream helps create those perfect creamy swirls without turning your float watery too fast.
Leave a Reply