Root Beer Float Jello Recipe • Pint Sized Baker (2024)

FAQs

Do you put ice cream or root beer first in a float? ›

Try making your root beer floats by first filling clear plastic cold cups a little more than half with soda. Then scooping in your desired amount of ice cream and topping it with a lid. Finish by adding the last little bit of soda to fill the cup.

This classic root beer float, also known as a 'black cow' or 'brown cow', starts with scoops of vanilla ice cream. Then, the ice cream is topped with root beer, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry.

If you want a root beer float without the extra foam, take a page from the trusty bartender's manual: Slightly tilt the mug or glass (about 20 degrees) while s-l-o-w-l-y pouring in the root beer. Just like frothy beer, this prevents a “head” full of bubbles from forming at the top of the glass.

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.

Tips for Making the Best Root Beer Float:

Pour the root beer in slowly at an angle to reduce fizz and risk of overflow. Use a quality vanilla ice cream, always start with two scoops, but you can do more if you prefer to enjoy your floats with a spoon instead of a straw. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.

Also known as a "black cow" or "brown cow", the root beer float is traditionally made with vanilla ice cream and root beer, but it can also be made with other ice cream flavors. Frank J. Wisner, owner of Colorado's Cripple Creek Brewing, is credited with creating the first root beer float on August 19, 1893.

One idea is to store your carton of ice cream upside down so that ice crystals form on the lid instead of the surface of the ice cream. Another tip is to ensure your freezer is at or below 0 F to halt freezer burn. Don't let your ingredients sit out on the counter too long before assembling your floats either.

The root beer helps to free air bubbles trapped in the ice cream. The fat in the ice cream coats the bubbles, protecting them and allowing them to expand to create the foam you see on root beer floats.”

As for Ice cream, we love Breyers Natural Vanilla. They make a few other vanillas but Natural is the best, with tiny flecks of vanilla bean throughout. Then, assemble. My favorite part of the float is when the ice cream becomes so root beer-saturated that it's like a slush (or mini milkshake).

What is the difference between a black cow and a root beer float? ›

A Black Cow is simple, really. Just soda (we used Coca-Cola) with vanilla ice cream. You might call it a root beer float or an ice cream soda. In New Zealand and Australia, they call it a Spider, and in the UK, it's known as a co*ke float.

🍧 We've got Root Beer for a Root Beer Float, Pineapple Juice for a Dole Whip Float, and so many more options for whatever floats your froyo!

Best for Root Beer Floats

For many, the only way to enjoy root beer is in a root beer float. Once you grab the best vanilla ice cream from the freezer, our Test Kitchen recommends pouring Frostie Root Beer over the top to finish this soda fountain classic. This root beer has a deep, dark color with bold flavor.

Sonic Drive In developed the classic blended root beer float taking vanilla ice cream and root beer and placing it in a blender until smooth and creamy.

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. What's more, the fat in the ice cream coats these bubbles. Thus, protecting them and allowing them to expand.

But according to Sugar and Soul, there happens to be one trick that never misses: Before pouring the root beer into the glass, let the glass sit in the freezer. In about 10 to 20 minutes, it'll be the perfect temperature for a root beer float.

Ice floats because it is less dense than the water.