How To Make The Best Root Beer Float - Savory Experiments

Do you want to know how to make the perfect root beer float? You can whip this ultimate root beer float up in literally no time at all for the kids and even make an alcoholic adult version for you and your friends to enjoy on a hot day.

What's In This Article

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• What is Root Beer?
• Gather This
• Best Root Beer
• Tips for the Perfect Float
• Switch Things Up
• Root Beer Float Recipe
• More Drink Recipes

What is Root Beer?

Root beer is a popular un-caffeinated soft drink in North America, but rarely found outside of the states. While it is popular all over, it is most prevalent along the Eastern seaboard where the sassafras tree is native.

Root beer is made from the root bark of the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum) or the vine of Smilax ornata. It’s roots (pun intended( date back to the indigenous people of the Americas.

Similar to root beer is sarsaparilla, which is also a soft drink but more popular in Asian countries. While root beer is made from the root of the sassafras tree, sarsaparilla is made from the vine.

Gather This

You only need four simple ingredients to make the ultimate root beer float. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.

• Root beer – I personally prefer root beer out of a glass bottle, but you can use any you prefer. Check the section below for different brands.

• Vanilla ice cream

• Whipped cream

• Maraschino cherries

Best Root Beer

The best type of root beer is really a matter of personal preference, but here are the most popular brands. Some will also tell you that there is a huge amount of importance in how the beverage is stored: in a glass bottle or a can. Most people believe the best way is in glass.

• Barq’s
• A&W
• IBC Root Beer
• Dad’s Root Beer

• Stewart’s Root Beer
• Virgil’s Root Beer
• Frostie Root Beer
• Hires Root Beer

Tips for the Perfect Float

Making the ultimate root beer float is super easy, but I do have some tips to ensure to comes out perfectly.

1. Start with cold ingredients. Duh! The ice cream will be cold, but also freeze the root beer for 10-20 minutes before assembling. The colder your Root Beer, the slower it will melt your ice cream. (Word to the wise, don’t forget about the root beer in the freezer. It can and will explode leaving you with a sugary mess if forgotten about.)
2. Your glass is an ingredient here. Be sure they are nice and frosty before you start to assemble. Rinse them with cold water and then pop them into the freezer for a bit.
3. Root Beer + ice cream = bubbles! I don’t know what the chemistry is behind this, but many root beer float assemblers will overflow their glass by adding ice cream to a full glass of root beer, wasting the precious creation on kitchen towels.
4. Pick your ice cream wisely! Classic Vanilla Bean is my favorite because it is the most intense vanilla flavor. In my opinion, French vanilla is too sweet and regular vanilla too muted. Make your own at home for the most intense flavor. If you are watching your waistline, opt for vanilla frozen yogurt. Of course, you’ll need a good ice cream scoop.

Switch Things Up

You can upgrade your ultimate root beer float in so many ways! Here are a few of our favorites.

• Add a syrup – Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or caramel sauce to the inside of the cold glass before pouring.
• Make it frozen – Place it in a blender to make a milkshake or frozen style root beer float.
• Switch up the ice cream – You could try chocolate ice cream or even peanut butter ice cream for a fun twist.
• Try a different soda – Of course, changing the soda also means it is just another frosty treat. Try using orange soda for an “orange cow” or grape soda for a “purple cow”.
• Make it boozy – And if you are in the mood for a boozy float (adults only and please drink responsibly), add a shot of vanilla vodka, bourbon, or Rum Chata to your float. An alcoholic root beer float will make your day better.

Root Beer Float Recipe

4.46 from 11 votesThe Ultimate Root Beer Float will elevate your traditional recipe to stardom! Just 4 ingredients with servel fun modifications. Prep Time: 20 minutes minsTotal Time: 20 minutes minsCook ModePrevent your screen from going darkServings: 2 root beer floats Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved! Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 2 root beers , chilled
• whipped cream
• maraschino cherries

Instructions

• Freeze the glasses for 10-20 minutes.
• Evenly divide the 2 cups vanilla ice cream to each glass. Slowly add the 2 root beers to both glasses, pouring at an angle.
• If desired, place back into the freezer for 10 minutes.
• Top with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Notes

And if you are in the mood for a boozy root beer float (adults only and please drink responsibly), add a shot of vanilla vodka, bourbon, or Rum Chata to your float.

Nutrition

Calories: 273 kcal, Carbohydrates: 31 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 14 g, Saturated Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 58 mg, Sodium: 105 mg, Potassium: 262 mg, Sugar: 28 g, Vitamin A: 555 IU, Vitamin C: 0.8 mg, Calcium: 169 mg, Iron: 0.1 mgAuthor: Chef Jessica FormicolaCalories: 273Course: Dessert, DrinksCuisine: AmericanKeyword: how to make a root beer float, root beer float recipe Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!

More Drink Recipes

From coffee drinks to cocktails, these are my favorite drinks to sip on no matter the occasion.

• Champagne Float
• Sparkling Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
• Orange Julius

• Roy Rogers Drink
• Horchata Recipe
• Tropical Rum Punch

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