National Root Beer Float Day

National Day Of

August 5, 2022

National Root Beer Float Day

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This used to be my favorite treat when visiting my aunt and uncle.

I realize that there may be some who have never heard of a root beer float. If you are a fan of root beer and vanilla ice cream then you need to try this. The classic float only consists of a 12 oz. can of root beer and 1-2 scoops of vanilla ice cream. Oh, and let’s not forget the best part. Frost the mug in the freezer for 20 minutes first. I know, I know. You’re thinking it sounds too hard to do at home. Seriously, start with your ice cream in a tall glass or cup and slowly add the root beer. PSA: Go SLOW when adding the root beer! It’s going to erupt over the glass if you go too fast. It’s going to foam, regardless. Let’s face it. The foamy eruption is part of its appeal. That’s the absolute simplicity of National Root Beer Float Day, friends.

If you’re looking for a slight twist on an old favorite then look no further. I found this recipe on International Delight’s website.

1/2 c Root beer
1/2 c Club soda
1/4 c International Delight French Vanilla Creamer
1 scoop Vanilla ice cream

Combine the root beer, club soda, and International Delight coffee creamer French Vanilla flavor in a tall glass. Top with ice cream and serve immediately.

I also found this root beer float pie recipe that sounds incredible. I mean she distinctly says it tastes EXACTLY like a root beer float! Follow this link for the recipe. Enjoy this pic of it first. I am going to try the recipe for myself for sure!

Root Beer Float Pie – Together as Family

There is no information out there as to when National Root Beer FLoat Day started, but we can find plenty on the history of the Root Beer Float.

Contents

1 History of the root beer float
- 1.1 Variations of the concoction
2 So What makes it foam, you ask?
3 Share this:
4 Like this:

History of the root beer float

Now bear with me here because history takes a few turns before its final stop. One claim is that Robert McCay Green invented the first ice cream float in Pennsylvania in 1874. It was during the Franklins Institute’s 25-year celebration. The abbreviated story goes…

On a particularly hot day, Green ran out of ice for the flavored drinks. Instead, he used vanilla ice cream from a neighboring vendor. Thus, inventing a new drink.

The actual birth of the root beer float has a more contentious origin with three claiming the credit: Fred Sanders, Philip Mohr, and George Guy (one of Robert Green’s employees). But, it is Frank J. Wisner who gets the official recognition. Owner of Colorado’s Cripple Creek Brewery, Wisner created the first root beer float August 19th, 1893. That would be some 19 years AFTER Green claimed to have invented it so I’m not sure how Wisner gets the credit except that he had the money or the wherewithal to make the claim more publically. I’m not sure how it all worked out in his favor, but it did.

Variations of the concoction

The definition of a “black” or “brown” “cow” root beer float varies depending on the region. In most regions, a traditional float is made with strictly vanilla ice cream. If chocolate ice cream s used instead it is a “chocolate” or “brown” cow. In other regions, using any cola instead of root bear makes it a “black cow”. Meanwhile (and this one makes the most sense to me), in Northern Wisconsin and Illinois, “black cow” refers to when a portion of the vanilla ice cream and root beer are mixed together. Then, you continue filling the glass with alternate scoops of ice cream and soda, giving it the appearance of a cow.

So What makes it foam, you ask?

A root beer float consists of three forms of matter:

Solid: the scoop of ice cream.
Liquid: the root beer.
Gas: what’s released when the ice cream and the root beer are combined.

When the carbonated root beer comes into contact with the ice cream, carbon dioxide bubbles release. Likewise, the soda frees air bubbles trapped in the ice cream. The fat in the ice cream coats these bubbles. This protects them and allows them to expand. THat is what creates the huge heads of foam you see on root beer floats.

Here’s a little experiment to try.

There are quite a few more days to celebrate today: