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Home » Dessert Recipes » A&W Root Beer Float Recipe

A&W Root Beer Float Recipe

Published: Jun 21, 2013 · Modified: Oct 30, 2023 by Arlene Mobley · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Disclosure: This A & W Root Beer Float recipe post has been sponsored by Collective Bias. All opinions are my own.

Ahh, the creamy indulgence of a classic root beer float! There’s something magical about the combination of that cold, creamy ice cream with bubbly, foamy root beer. With its rich and comforting flavor, it’s no wonder why the root beer float has been a much-loved iconic treat for over a century. 

A&W Root Beer Float, Ice Cream, Floats, Summer, Nestle,
A&W Root Beer Float

When I was a kid it was a very special day when my mom could make us a Root Beer Float for dessert.

Root Beer Float Memories

We didn't have much money for extras with my mom being a single mother trying to raise three kids on her own. Money was tight but we had a close extended family.

My grandparents, aunt, and uncle all lived on the same block within walking distance of our home.

I have a lot of fond memories of those times. When we had a special ice cream treat like a root beer float then so did the rest of the family. My grandparents and usually my aunt would come to our house or one of us kids would walk the special treat over to their house.

Many times while enjoying a root beer float I would hear the story of how back in the day in Brooklyn where my family is from, my mom and her friends would go to the corner drug or candy store for an ice cream soda or an egg cream.

My mom tried explaining what was in an egg cream once. I don't remember what the ingredients were but I thought it was funny that a cold drink by the name of egg cream didn't have egg in it at all.

A&W Root Beer Float, Ice Cream Float, Edys, Ice Cream, Root Beer
A&W Root Beer Float

A&W is the only Root Beer

One of the best parts that I remember about having a root beer float was sucking the mountain of foam off the top of the glass. To get that light and airy foam head on the top of a root beer float you have got to use the best root beer there is. One that has a great fizz.

 My mom would sometimes skimp when it came to the brand of ice cream she used to make a root beer float by buying a store brand vanilla ice cream. But when it came to the root beer it had to be A&W Root Beer. No other root beer would do.

A&W Root Beer, Edys Ice Cream, root beer floats, ice cream, root beer, summer treats

How to Make an Old Fashioned A&W Root Beer Float

There are only two ingredients needed to make a root beer float. Start with the best ingredients available and you will be licking the creamy foam off the top of your own root beer float in a matter of seconds.

If you want to make your root beer float a little extra special like I did you can top it off with whipped cream and a cherry. If not it is just as delicious made with just root beer and the best vanilla ice cream you can buy.

  • Chilled A&W Root Beer
  • Edy's Grand  Vanilla Ice Cream
  • whipped cream ( optional )
  • maraschino cherries ( optional )
Edy's, Ice Cream, ice cream floats, root beer floats
a scoop or two of ice cream added to a glass

Step 1: Start by adding two or three scoops of Edy's Grand Vanilla Ice Cream to a glass.

How to make a root beer float, A&W, Ice cream floats, summer,
Slowly pour some chilled A&W Root Beer into the glass.

Slowly pour the A&W Root Beer over the ice cream. When the foam reaches the top of the glass stop pouring the root beer.

At this point you can add a straw to the glass and sip away at the root beer float until you run out of root beer or you get a brain freeze from drinking it too fast and have to grab your head and moan.

Or you can top the foam with a big swirl of whipped cream and top it with a cherry like I did.

A&W Root Beer Float, Ice Cream, Floats, Summer, Nestle,

And if one of your kids are anxiously waiting around for you to finish taking pictures you may just have to make another root beer float immediately for them before you can finish what you're doing.

Top your mug off with more root beer or use a spoon to eat the ice cream.

A&W Root Beer Floats, ice cream floats
A&W Root Beer Floats

Cool off this summer with an A&W Root Beer Float

Root Beer Floats are a perfect way to beat the heat this summer. They are also a great way to amaze your kids and their friends when they are hanging out at your house this summer. You'll be the coolest Mom on the block for sure.

You can find more Summer treat recipes on the Summer Treat recipes page.

root beer floats, a&w root beer, edy's ice cream, summer, floats

Hosting a summer birthday party and serving root beer floats? Make this Root Beer Float Cake Recipe too.

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Do you have any fond memories of A&W Root Beer? I'd love to hear them so leave me a comment and tell me your favorite A&W Root Beer memory.

Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Pouring root beer into a glass filled with ice cream to make a float.

A&W Root Beer Float Memories

Arlene Mobley - Flour On My Face
When I was a kid it was a very special day when my mom could make us an A&W Root Beer Float for dessert.
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 serving
Calories 347 kcal

Ingredients  

  • 6 oz. Chilled Root Beer
  • 2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
  • 1 scoop whipped cream (optional)
  • 1 whole maraschino cherries (optional)
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Instructions 

  • Place a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream in a tall glass.
  • Pour the chilled A & W Root Beer over the ice cream stop pouring once the creamy float foam rises to the top of the glass.
  • Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tall glassCalories: 347kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 266mgFiber: 1gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 563IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 179mgIron: 0.2mg
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About Arlene Mobley

Arlene Mobley author of Flour On My Face-a Food & Lifestyle website helping busy families get dinner on the table by serving easy recipes every week.

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Hi, I'm Arlene Mobley the cook & photographer here at Flour On My Face. I have been cooking for my family for over 40 years. I love sharing recipes to help busy families get dinner on the table.

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