Scoops of vanilla ice cream floating in bubbly foamy root beer makes for the quintessential summer treat.
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Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated November 28, 2023
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Do you remember the first time you had a root beer float?
I do. I must have been around 7 years old and we were visiting my grandparents in Phoenix, in the summer.
Have you ever been to Arizona in the summer? Must be why I find Sacramento so tolerable. Let's just say it's hot.
I still remember all of us greedy kids, still in our swim suits, having been cooling off in the pool all day, lined up in the kitchen, wide eyed as we watched my father scoop ice cream into tall glasses, and then slowly pour root beer over them.
The concoction would start to foam up and sometimes spill over (of course we would lick the sides of the glass when that happened). The foam would eventually recede a bit and we would get another dose of root beer to top us off.
Then we would poke at the ice cream with our straws until it dislodged from the sides of the glass and floated to the surface.
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Sometimes my father added the scoops of ice cream to our root beers. But usually it was ice cream first, because then you could control the foam up more carefully.
If you just add a scoop of ice cream to root beer, better be ready to catch all the foam as it comes erupting over the sides!
Next to a vinegar and baking soda volcano, a root beer float is God's gift to chemistry experiments for kids. Not that we cared at all about the chemistry.
Where does the foam come from? Little bubbles of carbonation sticking to the sides of the ice cream and attracting other bubbles until the bubbles get really big and float to the surface. (You can read all about it here.)
And why does the ice cream float? Because it's ice cream, churned with air and composed of a lot of fat, both which are lighter than water.
Now if you really want to get all Martha on us you can make your own root beer from scratch, and serve it with homemade vanilla ice cream. In many parts of the states sassafras grows wild, and you can easily make sassafras root beer from it. If you have access to sassafras, I highly recommend giving it a go!
Do you have a favorite childhood memory about root beer floats? Please let us know about it in the comments.
Root Beer Float
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Serving1 float
Ingredients
Vanilla ice cream
Root beer
Method
Spoon a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream into a tall glass. Slowly pour root beer into the glass, allowing the foam to rise and then recede before adding more root beer.
Serve with straws and spoons.
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| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 450 | Calories |
| 15g | Fat |
| 77g | Carbs |
| 5g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 450 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 15g | 19% |
| Saturated Fat 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol 58mg | 19% |
| Sodium 162mg | 7% |
| Total Carbohydrate 77g | 28% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 3% |
| Total Sugars 74g | |
| Protein 5g | |
| Vitamin C 1mg | 4% |
| Calcium 191mg | 15% |
| Iron 0mg | 2% |
| Potassium 267mg | 6% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of food and beverages, particularly non-alcoholic delights, let me delve into the intricacies of the root beer float – a classic that has graced the tables of families for generations.
The nostalgic recounting of a childhood memory involving root beer floats by Elise Bauer is a vivid illustration of the timeless appeal of this delightful treat. Having explored various facets of culinary delights, it's clear that the root beer float holds a special place in the hearts of many, evoking memories of warm summer days and joyous family gatherings.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts embedded in the article:
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Root Beer Float Creation: The article provides a simple yet delightful recipe for crafting the perfect root beer float. It involves the artful combination of two primary ingredients – vanilla ice cream and root beer. The method encourages the slow pouring of root beer over scoops of vanilla ice cream, allowing the foam to rise and recede before adding more root beer.
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Chemistry of Root Beer Floats: An intriguing aspect highlighted in the article is the connection between root beer floats and chemistry experiments for kids. The foam in the root beer float is explained as resulting from little bubbles of carbonation adhering to the sides of the ice cream, attracting other bubbles, and gradually forming larger bubbles that float to the surface. This provides a fascinating glimpse into the scientific principles at play during the creation of this beloved treat.
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Floatation of Ice Cream: The article elucidates why the ice cream floats in the root beer. It attributes this phenomenon to the nature of ice cream, which is churned with air and composed of a significant amount of fat. Both characteristics make the ice cream lighter than water, causing it to effortlessly float in the effervescent root beer.
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Personalization and Root Beer Making: For those inclined to elevate their root beer float experience, the article suggests a Martha Stewart-esque approach by making root beer from scratch. It hints at the possibility of using wild-grown sassafras to concoct homemade root beer, adding a layer of artisanal flair to the beverage.
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Childhood Memories and Engagement: The article engages the audience by prompting them to share their favorite childhood memories related to root beer floats. This fosters a sense of community and nostalgia, transforming the reading experience into a shared journey down memory lane.
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Nutritional Information: Lastly, the article incorporates a nutrition facts section, providing a glimpse into the calorie and nutrient content of the root beer float. This inclusion caters to the health-conscious reader, offering transparency about the nutritional aspects of the indulgent treat.
In conclusion, the root beer float transcends its status as a mere recipe; it becomes a conduit for shared experiences, scientific exploration, and the celebration of culinary traditions. The article seamlessly weaves together elements of storytelling, science, and gastronomy, making it a delightful read for both enthusiasts and novices in the world of mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
