Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: August 6th, 2022. Did you know today is National Root Beer Float Day? I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t mind having a Ice Cream Float to celebrate today. But I would prefer Coke instead of Root Beer. How about you?

National Root Beer Float Day

Here are five facts about Root Beer:

1. Root Beer is made out of 16 Roots, and Herbs.
2. Colonist were actually the first people to make Root Beer.
3. The A and W in A&W stands for Alan and Wright.
4. Hires Root beer was introduces by Charles Hires in 1876 Philadelphia’s Centennial Exposition.
5. The most original ingredient was Sassafras. It comes in an Alcoholic drink also.

Diet? Not on August 6. It’s National Root Beer Float Day, after all — a time to enjoy one of the best beverage/dessert combos on the planet. On that day, some even compete for root beer float greatness. It all started in Colorado back in 1893. Frank J. Wisner was inspired. Surrounded by Cow Mountain where his Cripple Creek Brewing Company was located, Wisner came up with a novel idea. While mountain gazing, he didn’t see snow-covered peaks. Instead, Wisner envisioned scoops of ice cream floating in root beer.  Crazy, right? So, today, enjoy the tallest, fizziest root beer float you can find!

HISTORY OF NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY

The taste of Ice Cream with Root Beer is unlike anything else. This Summertime beverage has a history as rich as its texture and flavor!

Frank J. Wisner, the owner of Colorado’s Cripple Creek Brewing, is the person to thank for creating the Root Beer Float on August 19, 1893. The idea behind this extraordinary innovation came to Wisner when he was looking at the snowy peaks of Colorado’s Cow Mountain that gave the illusion of Ice Cream floating on a beverage. While staring out of the window of the Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company, Wisner thought the glow of the full moon made the snow-capped mountains resemble Ice Cream.

The following day, Wisner got to work combining Vanilla Ice Cream with Root Beer and calling the result the ‘Black Cow Mountain.’ The soda Wisner had used was Myers Avenue Red Root Beer. The Root Beer Float was served to his guests the very next day and became an instant hit. Children shortened the word to ‘Black Cow,’ and today this recipes is simply known as a Root Beer Float.

TRADITIONS

Since its creation, countless Root Beer Floats have been enjoyed throughout the world. The tradition of the holiday is to enjoy Root Beer Floats. The original recipe has evolved into many variations, each with their own unique flavor, while retaining the original Root Beer Float texture.

Popular Root Beer Floats that have become traditional favorites include the Coke Float, Boston Cooler, Purple Cow, and the Harry Potter-inspired Butterbeer.

NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY FAQS

Coke- and root beer floats for $1 are limited-time promotions at Arby’s.

McDonald’s features Root Beer Floats as part of their secret menu.

Originally known as ‘Black Cow,’ the Root Beer Float got its name from the Ice Cream that floats on top of the beverage. 

NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY ACTIVITIES

1. There’s no better way to celebrate National Root Beer Float Day than by preparing a Root Beer Float. Grab a bottle of your favorite brand of Root Beer, pour into a chilled glass and top off with a fresh scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.
2. The Root Beer Store sells more than 100 brands and flavors of Root Beer. You can check out customer reviews of all the Root Beers for sale. Then order mix-and-match bottles. Your local Liquor Store may also have a pretty good selection, of Root Beer for sale.
3. Did you know Hard Root Beer is blowing up! Clever brewers have come up with Root Beers that include varying levels of Acohol. Invite the neighbors over for a dessert party and indulge on Root Beer Floats. Be careful, while the Root Beer goes down fast and smooth, this Root Beer will eventually catch up with you.

5 REASONS EVERYONE NEEDS A ROOT BEER FLOAT

1. Jeni’s Ice Cream Shops can double your pleasure with Root Beer Floats made with Root Beer Ice Cream and Boylan Root Beer.
2. The Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia creates authentic Root Beer Floats made with their own brand of Root Beer Syrup and Ice Cream.
3. Scooter’s Frozen Custard in Chicago offers a Root Beer Float made with Vanilla Custard. A refreshing twist on the standard Root Beer Float.
4. Instead of floating the Ice Cream on top of a glass of Root Beer, blend the two together to make a Root Beer Freeze.
5. Spring House restaurant in Alexander City, Alabama, serves up a Bourbon Float made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Bourbon Ice Cream and a house-made Root Beer Syrup.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY

1. Root Beer Floats seems like such a simple recipe. Root Beer in a tall, iced glass and Vanilla Ice Cream. If you’re trying to get beyond the ordinary, then use extraordinary ingredients. Select a frothy Root Beer with a high Sarsparilla content and loads of sweetness. Add Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and get creative with your toppings.
2. The Boston Cooler was invented in Detroit, of all places, and is made with Vernor’s Ginger Ale and Vanilla Ice Cream. In many Asian eateries you can order a Snow White, which is composed of Vanilla Ice Cream and 7-Up or Sprite. In Mexico, you can grab a Holado Flotante, a combination of Cola and Lemon Sherbet.
3. On National Root Beer Float Day, A&W Restaurants collects donations for Disabled American Veterans, a charity that fights for better health care benefits for America’s injured heroes.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates