How to Make an Alcoholic Root Beer Float
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Few desserts feel as nostalgic as a classic root beer float, and this three-step boozy twist brings all that creamy, fizzy sweetness into cocktail territory. Vanilla ice cream melts into cold root beer while a splash of bourbon adds warmth and complexity, turning a childhood favorite into an easy dessert drink for adults.
What makes this recipe work is balance—you want enough booze to add flavor without overpowering the vanilla and root beer. Depending on what spirit you use, you can lean richer and creamier or add notes of caramel, vanilla, or spice. It’s playful, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for cookouts, game days, or summer parties. If you love nostalgic cocktail-inspired desserts, you may also enjoy my honey deuce cocktail (yes, my version is inspired by the US Open fave) or this pineapple ginger smash.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nostalgic but elevated – All the flavors of a classic root beer float with a grown-up twist.
- Easy to make – Comes together in just minutes with minimal ingredients.
- Perfect for parties – Fun, customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Root beer – Root beer is made from the root bark of the sassafras tree. Today the flavoring is typically artificial sassafras with notes of vanilla, licorice, sarsaparilla, nutmeg and more. For a nationwide brand I like Stewart’s root beer and for a smaller brand I like Maine Root.
- Ice cream – While you can certainly get creative with your ice cream flavors, vanilla is classic in this recipe. My favorite is to use a rich French ice cream made with more egg yolks like the NY based brand Van Leeuwen.
- Bourbon – Bourbon is a type of American whiskey made primarily from distilled corn. Not all whiskey is bourbon, but all bourbon is whiskey. While both rye and bourbon can be used in this recipe, I prefer to use bourbon.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro Tip
Chill both the root beer and glasses before assembling. Cold ingredients help slow the ice cream from melting too quickly and prevent excessive foaming when poured.
Swaps & Substitutions
- Root beer: Use craft root beer for deeper spice notes or diet root beer for less sweetness.
- Vanilla ice cream: Swap with coffee, chocolate, salted caramel, or dairy-free ice cream.
- Liquor: Vanilla vodka, spiced rum, bourbon, amaretto, or coffee liqueur all work well.
- Whipped cream: Optional, but great for an extra indulgent finish.
- Garnishes: Maraschino cherries, chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle, or crushed cookies add fun texture.
How to Make an Alcoholic Root Beer Float (Step-by-Step)
- Add ice cream. Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a tall glass.
- Add the bourbon and root beer. Add the bourbon then slowly pour the root beer over the top, stopping to let the foam settle before adding more.
- Serve. Serve immediately with a straw and long spoon. Top the float with whipped cream or a maraschino cherry, if desired.
Are There More Alcoholic Ice Cream Float Flavors?
If you want to try something beyond the classic combination of vanilla ice cream and root beer, try these:
- Vodka + ginger beer or ginger ale + vanilla ice cream
- Hard apple cider + bourbon + caramel ice cream
- Vodka (plain or vanilla vodka) + orange soda + vanilla ice cream
- Kahlua + coke + vanilla ice cream
- Spiced rum + coke + butter pecan ice cream
How to Serve This Recipe
- Dessert Cocktail: Serve in chilled pint glasses or soda fountain glasses with long spoons and straws.
- Entertaining: Set up a float bar with different spirits, sodas, and toppings so guests can customize their drinks.
- Party Pairing: Serve alongside burgers, barbecue, or casual cookout foods for a playful summer dessert.
- Garnishes: Top with whipped cream, maraschino cherries, caramel drizzle, chocolate syrup, or crushed toffee.
How to Store This Recipe
- Root beer: Keep chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Once opened, carbonation is best within 1–2 days.
- Ice cream: Store tightly sealed in the freezer and let soften for 2–3 minutes before scooping for easier assembly.
- Liquor: Store at room temperature or chilled depending on preference; it keeps indefinitely when sealed.
- Assembled floats: These are best enjoyed immediately, since the ice cream melts quickly and the soda loses carbonation.
- Leftovers: Not recommended for storage once assembled, as texture and fizz deteriorate rapidly.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Bourbon, vanilla vodka, spiced rum, and coffee liqueur all pair well with root beer because they complement its vanilla, caramel, and spice notes. For a sweeter float, vanilla vodka is especially popular.
This recipe uses 2 ounces of alcohol per serving, which adds noticeable flavor while still letting the root beer and vanilla ice cream shine.
Pour the root beer slowly along the inside of the glass rather than directly over the ice cream. Using chilled glasses and cold root beer also helps reduce excess foam.
Yes. Simply omit the liquor for a classic root beer float, or add a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor without the alcohol.
It’s best to assemble them just before serving. While you can pre-chill the glasses and measure the liquor ahead of time, the ice cream melts quickly and the soda loses carbonation once poured.
Other Recipes to Try
Looking for more easy-to-make seasonal cocktail inspo? Try one of these other cocktails next:
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How to Make an Alcoholic Root Beer Float
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Ingredients:
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 cup root beer
Instructions:
- Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a tall glass.
- Add the bourbon then slowly pour the root beer over the top, stopping to let the foam settle before adding more.
- Serve immediately with a straw and long spoon.
Notes:
Nutrition:
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