The Best Root Beer Float Recipe — Sugar & Cloth (2024)

Root Beer Float —The classic root beer float is the quintessential nostalgic treat! The perfect pairing of root beer and ice cream makes it the best frozen dessert drink.

Updated September 2020

You’re never too old for a root beer float. It’s been around for centuries.

So the perfect pairing of ice cream and root beer makes for a classic nostalgic treat.

I,Alexcan’t help but smile as I pour the soda over the ice cream. It’s always fun watching the ice cream fizzle and foam up and over the cup.

Making a root beer float is quite easy and quick. But I’ve also got some tips and tricks to make the best root beer float.

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Table of Contents

Ingredients Needed For A Root Beer Float

Ice cream — Vanilla ice cream is the traditional choice, but you can also opt for chocolate ice cream.
Root beer soda — Diet root beer can also work.
Maraschino cherries – Optional for topping

Want to go over and beyond and make your own homemade ice cream? Check out our easyno churn ice creamrecipe.

How To Make A Root Beer Float

Add two scoops of ice cream to a highball glass, tall glass or mug.

Grab your glass and pour in the root beer until it begins to bubble and froth over.

Top your ice cream float with a Maraschino cherry.

Serve immediately with a straw or spoon!

What Ice Cream Is Best For Root Beer Floats?

Vanilla Ice cream.

Start with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, but you can add more if you prefer to eat them with a spoon instead of a straw. Serve with whipped cream and cherries.

Tips For Making The Best Root Beer Float

Chill your glass ahead of time for any extra frothy drink! Simply place them in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving.

A chilled glass ensures that your ice cream doesn’t melt as fast.

You want to avoid as much fizz as possible when your pour. So tilt your glass and slowly pour in your root beer.

This is the same trick when pouring alcoholic beer to avoid an abundance of foam.

A good ice cream scoop goes a long way! And because ice cream is such a big staple in our household we invested in a quality one.

An Easy Ice Cream Trick When Serving To A Crowd

To serve these for a crowd, use this ice cream trick for easy scoops throughout the evening:

Slightly soften a half gallon of ice cream on the counter.

Tightly wrap plastic wrap around a baking sheet, making sure it’s taught on top.

Then, scoop out rounded balls of ice cream and place onto the prepared baking sheet.

Continue to do so with the entire container, leaving space between each scoop.

Next, place the baking sheet in the freezer to allow the individual scoops to harder.

When ready to serve, the scoop will slide off the plastic wrap for perfectly portioned root beer floats throughout the night!

So much easier than having to re-scoop every time someone needs a refill!

More Fun Toppings For Your Root Beer Float

Another classic garnish for ice cream floats is a dash of whipped cream.

Chocolate syrup, caramel syrup and mini chocolate chips will please any chocolate lover! You can first garnish your glass with syrup before scooping in your ice cream.

And/or also drizzle some syrup top with chocolate chips.

You can also mix it up with scoops of vanilla ice cream and chocolate ice cream.

Adult Root Beer Float | Boozy Ice Cream Float

Turn your childhood drink into an adult drink. Simply add in a shot of alcohol before scoop in your ice cream and pour the root beer soda.

I love using vanilla vodka to highlight the root beer.

If you prefer a stronger alcohol content, rum pairs well with root beer since they both have a vanilla flavor.

Rum will also give your root beer some spice and a nice kick!

More Classic Recipes To Try

Now, who’s ready to impress some guests with a frozen treat and your new pro-tip for serving ice cream?!

For more easy and fun nostalgic recipes, check out a few from our archives below–

Boozy Salted Caramel Root Beer Float— Another delicious (adult only) root beer float to try if you’re a salted caramel fan.
Frosted Animal Cracker Cake — The icebox cake recipe features a classic childhood treat.
Toasted S’mores Rice Krispie Treats — Our playful twist on the staple outdoor snack.
Raspberry Heart Shaped Pop Tarts — Hearts will skip a beat with this homemade pastry.
No Bake Peanut, Butter And Jelly Cheesecake — These mini creamy desserts are a riff off of a classic peanut, butter and jelly sandwich.
Pina Colada Snow Cone— An adult twist to a summer staple.

Beer Float Recipe

Root Beer Float Recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

There's nothing like a classic root beer float for a nostalgic treat! The perfect pairing of root beer and ice cream makes it the best frozen dessert drink.

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Desserts

Equipment

Ice cream scoop

Ingredients

2 scoop vanilla ice cream or chocolate if you prefer
8 oz root beer diet root beer can also work
1 Maraschino cherry optional for topping

Nutrition

Servings: 1

Calories: 374kcal

Notes

Tips For Serving The Best Ice Cream Float

Chill your glass ahead of time for any extra frothy drink! Simply place them in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving.
You want to avoid as much fizz as possible when your pour. So tilt your glass and slowly pour in your root beer.
To avoid the ice cream sticking to the scooper: Keep a bowl of warm water nearby. Dip the scooper in the water each time to before you scoop to moisten the spoon.

Serving To A Crowd

Slightly soften a half gallon of ice cream on the counter.
Tightly wrap plastic wrap around a baking sheet, making sure it’s taught on top.
scoop out rounded balls of ice cream and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
Continue to do so with the entire container, leaving space between each scoop.
Next, place the baking sheet in the freezer to allow the individual scoops to harder.
When ready to serve, the scoop will slide off the plastic wrap for perfectly portioned black cauldrons throughout the night!

Instructions

Add two scoops of ice cream in a highball glass, tall glass or mug.
Slowly pour in the root beer until it begins to bubble and froth over.
Optional: Top the glass a maraschino cherry.
Immediately serve with a straw or spoon.

KEYWORD: boozy desserts, chocolate, drinks, frozen drinks, frozen treats, ice cream, ice cream float, root beer, root beer float, sugar and cloth, vanilla