A&W Root Beer Float

This A&W Root Beer Float is made with vanilla ice cream, root beer, whipped cream and fresh or maraschino cherries.

Do you remember your first root beer float? I think I must have been 8 years old when I first tried it. My family had just moved back to the United States from Mexico, where most of my dessert consisted of flan and pan dulce. I was absolutely obsessed. My brother was so obsessed with root beer that he would order it every Sunday when my family would go out to eat. Sundays were special and it was the only day we ever ate out.

You can use chocolate ice cream but it is traditionally served with vanilla. When you pour the root beer into the glass of vanilla, it will gas up so don’t overspill. Chilling the glasses ahead of time will make them frost, so put the glasses in the freezer for around 10 to 20 minutes and it will be so delicious.

If you love this recipe, feel free to try this and pair with my Shiitake Mushroom Burger or my Ranchera Meat.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tip
• A&W Root Beer Float
• Food safety

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• A&W Root Beer
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherries

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Hint: You can use chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

Substitutions

Ice Cream: I have seen a ton of different variations of root beer floats, although traditionally it uses vanilla ice cream. 

Root Beer: You can use any brand of root beer, although my favorite will always be A&W Root Beer without a doubt!

Whipped Cream: I love using the canned whipped cream because it makes the drink look very pretty. You can use coconut whipped cream or cool whip. 

Variations

Cooking is a chance to be creative! Have fun with it and feel free to make your own variation.

• Deluxe - rim the glass with white sugar and a dash of salt.
• Kid friendly - add chocolate chips or candy inside.

Check out this Hot Cheetos Elote.

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Stone bakeware takes longer to heat up than metal pans, and also retain heat for longer, which could make the recipe more watery, or burnt on the outsides.

I love using my Caraway pots, pans and baking sheets for best quality. Get yourself a discount by clicking here!

Storage

This will be good in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.

Top tip

Feel free to get creative with the brand of root beer, the type of ice cream and whipped cream.

Print

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.