Alcoholic Root Beer Float (2024)

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By: Becky HardinPosted: 5/17/24Updated: 5/17/24

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There are few things better on a hot summer day than a root beer float! I mean, what could be better…? How ’bout this: an alcoholic root beer float! It’s a fun twist on an old favorite, combining three of my favorite things: good root beer, vanilla bean ice cream, and vanilla vodka.

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When summer is in full swing, I love to mix up myco*cktailgame with a cold, refreshing alcoholic root beer float! This is one of my favorite summertime treats: so simple, so tasty.

What’s in This Alcoholic Root Beer Float Recipe?

Vanilla Vodka: I like Smirnoff. It’s smooth and clean tasting. Whipped cream-flavored vodka would also work well.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Use your favorite brand, and if you can get vanilla bean, go for it!
Root Beer: Everybody will have their own thoughts on this, but my favorite root beer brand has always been IBC. My dad used to buy it by the case and swear, there was no better root beer in America. I have tried many different types and have never found one I like better. This drink will work with whatever your favorite type is, so try to locate whichever brand brings back the best memories.

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Tips for Success

Serve with a strawanda spoon!
Pour the root beer slowly at an angle to reduce fizz and the risk of overflow.
Start with two scoops, but you can use more if you prefer to enjoy your floatswith a spoon instead of a straw.
Put mugs in the freezer for 30 minutes before serving time for frosted glasses.
Top with whipped cream and a cherry.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this creamy, boozy root beer float with classic diner dishes, like burgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, or chili dogs.

They’re super refreshing on a hot day paired with barbecue staples, like grilled chicken, St. Louis ribs, or pulled pork. Or, sate your sweet tooth by pairing them with a slice of New York cheesecake or cherry pie!

Recipe

Alcoholic Root Beer Float

4.74 from 23 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Total: 5 minutes minutes

Serves1 float

Print Rate

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Root beer over vanilla ice cream is a classic dessert–just add vodka to turn this into a Root Beer Float co*cktail!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

▢ 4 ounces vanilla ice cream (¼ pint)
▢ 8 ounces root beer IBC recommended (¾ bottle)
▢ 1½ ounces vanilla vodka Smirnoff recommended (1 shot)

Instructions

Place 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream into a tall glass.
4 ounces vanilla ice cream
Fill halfway up with root beer.
8 ounces root beer
Pour 1 shot of vanilla vodka, and then top with root beer to fill to the top of the glass.
1½ ounces vanilla vodka

Becky’s tips

Try changing up the alcohol by swapping in whipped cream-flavored vodka, dark rum, Bailey’s, or Kahlua. You could even swap the root beer for a hard root beer!
Swap the vanilla ice cream for your favorite flavor, like butter pecan, chocolate, or cherry! You can even swap the root beer for your favorite soda, like co*ke, Pepsi, orange soda, or cream soda.
Nutritional information will vary depending on the size of the mug, the brand of ice cream, and the size of your ice cream scoop. This recipe assumed a 1.3-ounce scoop, which is the average size. Learn more here. The brand of ice cream used in this recipe contains 59 calories per ounce.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1float Calories: 426kcal (21%) Carbohydrates: 51g (17%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 12g (18%) Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 50mg (17%) Sodium: 121mg (5%) Potassium: 228mg (7%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 48g (53%) Vitamin A: 477IU (10%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 156mg (16%) Iron: 0.2mg (1%)

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How to Make an Alcoholic Root Beer Float Step by Step

Scoop the Ice Cream: Place 2-3 scoops (about 4 ounces) of vanilla ice cream into a tall glass.

Make the Float: Fill halfway up with 4 ounces of root beer. Pour 1 shot (1½ ounces) of vanilla vodka, and then top with the remaining 4 ounces of root beer to fill to the top of the glass.

More Spiked Drink Recipes To Try

Spiked Raspberry Sweet Tea
Spiked Chai
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Spiked Strawberry Shortcake Floats
Thai Iced Coffee
Adult Raspberry Italian Cream Soda

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

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11 Comments

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Eric

Posted on 12/19/2020

I love IBC as well. For those that want a less subtle bubbly root beer, maybe an off brand. I think as far as mixing it up, because of the foam forming after pouring in the root beer with ice cream, pour root bear or vodka first, then add ice cream then of course more root beer. I found that if you add ice cream then root beer then vodka, the vodka tends to stay in the foam. But hey trial and error right? Over all, amazing and very good.