By Becky Hardin
Published May 17, 2024
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.
When summer is in full swing, I love to mix up my cocktail game 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.
Tips for Success
- Serve with a straw and a 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 floats with 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 !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 ounces vanilla ice cream (¼ pint)
- ▢ 8 ounces root beer IBC recommended (¾ bottle)
- ▢ 1½ ounces vanilla vodka Smirnoff recommended (1 shot)
Video
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 Coke, 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 is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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
Alcoholic Root Beer Float
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
Video
Notes
- 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 Coke, 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
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
