Root Beer Float Recipe

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Jul 11, 2016, Updated Jun 04, 2025

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This Root Beer Float recipe is made with root beer and vanilla ice cream. A classic American Summer dessert that’s easy to make and creates an amazing mix of flavors!

Root Beer Float - Consisting of root beer and vanilla frozen yogurt, this American Summer classic is easy to make and creates an amazing mix of flavors!

Ain’t that just a big ol’ glass of summer?! ☀️ Hi friends! I’m popping in with the sweetest throwback treat, Root Beer Floats!

I don’t think I’d had one since I was like… 12? But here I am, full-grown and fully obsessed again. My latest version is made with a scoop of frozen yogurt, and let me tell you, it’s every bit as refreshing and fun as I remember.

Why You Should Make a Root Beer Float

Because it’s a frozen sip of childhood. Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, that combo of vanilla ice cream and fizzy root beer hits every single time. I used to get the biggest root beer floats during open campus lunch, served in tall frosty glasses, even in the middle of winter. It’s pure nostalgia in a glass.
Root beer floats are ridiculously easy to make. We’re talkin’ two ingredients. No stove, no prep, no mess. Just scoop, pour, and sip your way to happiness. You can even swap in frozen yogurt or dairy-free ice cream if that’s more your vibe.
It’s a vibe for every season. Root beer floats scream summer, but honestly? I had them year-round growing up, and I fully support keeping that tradition alive. Make one for your kids, your partner, or just for yourself; you deserve a retro treat that feels like a mini party.

Root Beer Float Ingredients

Vanilla Ice Cream – You can also use frozen yogurt or dairy-free ice cream.
Root Beer – Choose a good-quality root beer for the best flavor. I always use A&W.
Whipped Cream – Optional, but it adds a sweet finish to a root beer float.
Maraschino Cherries – For that classic soda shop touch!

Recipe Tips

Use super cold root beer. The colder, the better! It helps keep the ice cream from melting too fast and gives you that frothy, fizzy top we all love in a root beer float.
Pour slowly. Root beer foams quickly, so pour it gently down the side of the glass to keep everything contained and avoid spills.
Freeze your glasses. Stick your glasses in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before assembling. It keeps the root beer float colder longer and gives that classic frosted look.
Top it off. Whipped cream, maraschino cherries, or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup can take your float to the next level. Or keep it classic—just root beer and ice cream.

Serving Suggestions

Root beer floats are the perfect way to wrap up a laid-back summer meal. We love serving them after grilled favorites like my BBQ chicken skewers, juicy grilled chicken thighs, or a stack of California burgers hot off the grill. They’re also a great treat to pair with something lighter, like grilled vegetables or a big summer zucchini salad. Think of it as your backyard BBQ dessert! It’s chill, fun, and totally nostalgic.

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Root Beer Float served in a tall glass, topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

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