The BEST summer treat: Root Beer Floats!
We’re kicking off Summer with the best root beer floats, because it’s a root beer float kind of season, don’t you think?! What’s more American than a root beer float?
Now you might be thinking who needs a recipe for a root beer float?! Well to get the best ever root beer floats, there’s a few more steps, like chilling the mugs, and don’t forget the cherry on top! If you’ve ever had a root beer float where the ice cream instantly melts when the root beer meets the ice cream, these steps can guarantee the best root beer float yet!
Ingredients for THE BEST Root Beer Floats:
- 1 – 2 liter bottle of A&W root beer soda
- 1 half gallon container of bright white vanilla bean ice cream
- 1 jar of maraschino cherries WITH the stems
- 1 tub of cool whip or canned whipped cream
How To Make A Root Beer Float:
- For the best ever root beer floats, freeze the root beer in a plastic bucket with a lid on until it’s frozen to a slush consistency. This takes about 2 1/2 hours or more depending on your freezer.
- Chill the mugs: Fill the mugs with ice then add cold water filling it almost to the top. Put the mugs in the freezer for 5-7 minutes. When the mugs are frosted, just empty them and keep them in the freezer until ready to use.
- When ready scoop vanilla ice cream into each frosted mug. Gently pour the slushy root beer into each one. Top with a dollop of cool whip or whipped cream and a cherry on top. Enjoy!
You can also make your root beer float into a root beer freeze. How? Stir the frozen root beer soda with the ice cream in your chilled mugs until you have yourself a root beer freeze!
Now that you’ll be making the best root beer floats in the neighborhood, you need to have a root beer float party! We made a cute printable party invite so you can host a fun gathering outside! Because hosting in the Summertime is the best!
Recipe FAQ’s:
What is the best root beer for root beer floats? We love A&W to make the best root beer floats. It has the best sweet and smooth taste, and we think it’s what root beer should taste like, but you can use whatever your favorite root beer is. Mug brand root beer is also a great option.
How do you eat a root beer float? The best way to eat a root beer float would be to use a slender spoon to eat the ice cream that is left over after drinking it with a skinny straw.
What is the best ice cream for a root beer float? Vanilla Bean ice cream (whatever your favorite brand) is the best ice cream to use, the bright white of the vanilla pairs well with the root beer, although some people also use a french vanilla ice cream as well.
What is the difference between an ice cream soda and a root beer float? An ice cream soda is usually a drink made with club soda, a flavored syrup of your choice and ice cream. A root beer float is a drink made with a soft drink (in this case root beer) and ice cream.
Make mini Root Beer Floats:
- Frankfurt Sampler Mugs
- Long skinny spoons
- Skinny straws
We love using these mini mugs for root beer floats, but you could use them for so many different drinks or desserts! These little mini mugs are only 4 ounces. These mugs are all about presentation; something as simple as a root beer float becomes a conversation piece at the end of a dinner party. We think they’re the cutest! All things mini are cute! Here’s a tip with these little mugs…long skinny spoons and skinny straws. The spoons need to be skinny enough to fit into them.
To give you a visual reference, here’s a 20oz. mug next to the 4oz. mini mugs. Doesn’t it make them look so tiny?!
The Best Root Beer Floats
For the best root beer floats, you want to start with frosted root beer to get a delicious slush consistency.
Ingredients
- 1 2 liter A&W Root Beer
- 1 half gallon container vanilla ice cream
- 1 jar maraschino cherries WITH the stems
- 1 small tub Cool Whip or canned whipped cream
Instructions
-
For the best ever root beer floats, freeze the root beer in a plastic bucket with a lid on until it's frozen to a slush consistency. This takes about 2 1/2 hours or more depending on your freezer.
-
Chill the mugs: Fill the mugs with ice then add cold water filling it almost to the top. Put the mugs in the freezer for 5-7 minutes. When the mugs are frosted, just empty them and keep them in the freezer until ready to use.
-
When ready scoop vanilla ice cream into each frosted mug. Gently pour the slushy root beer into each one. Top with a dollop of cool whip or whipped cream and a cherry on top. Enjoy!
Making This Recipe? Tag us on Instagram: @NoBiggie using the hashtag #NoBiggieRecipes, so we can see what you are making in the kitchen!
Have you tried this recipe?! Using the star icons below: RATE and COMMENT! I would love to hear your experience.
Kristina P. says
You are right about all things mini. These are adorable. And delicious.
dandee says
that wins for cutest thing I've seen today. love anything teeny tiny.
Sarah says
Love those mini mugs! Did you thrift them? I will be so proud if you did, but sad too – casue I want some as well.
Funny how tiny things makes them cute. When I worked in the NICU everyone thought everything was cute – even a blood pressure cuff. It was two inches long but it was "cute"! 🙂
Ruth H. says
These are fun! I became a big fan of the mini dessert when I joined my husband on a business trip last fall. They had all kinds of tiny, delectable desserts at one of the company parties. I couldn't stop! Seriously, the presentation is what makes such a little thing become such a big deal!
marta says
oh my darling. really, i am in luv.
Shaunee says
So cute! I love those!
Lisa says
I am so jealous if you thrifted them!!! They are $88.00 on Amazon!! Out of my price range…. I'll just stare at yours 🙂
Debbie says
Those must be tiny compared to the cherries on top. But a root beer float…yum.
kami @ no biggie says
Hi Ladies! They're not thrifted, I wish they were. But I'll keep an eye out for something similar.
Marie {Make and Takes} says
So great. I need a mini version of every treat, then hopefully I won't eat so much!
Megan says
so absolutely adorable. and i'm usually not the biggest rootbeer float fan.
melanie says
These bring back memories! So where did you end up finding them?
Susan says
I love this post. I immediately set out to find these mini mugs on (where else) ebay. I wsa worried about shippping costs though. I found 18 of them from one seller for 12.00. SCORE! I'm doing a mini party theme for my baby girls next birthday and these will be perfect.
Michelle says
These are SO cute! I'm lucky enough to live in the land of Libbey so I'm going to run over to their store tomorrow. Thanks for posting. I can thin of 101 uses already!!