Blog

This month, we continue our love of all things ice cream by learning about the history of one of America’s best-loved beverages – the root beer float.

What is root beer, anyway?

Root beer was once also known as “small beer”.  Usually made without the alcohol, this tasty beverage first became popular during colonial times and was originally made using a variety of herbs, barks and roots including coriander, juniper, ginger, burdock root, dandelion root, spikenard, vanilla beans, hops, dog grass, molasses and licorice.  Interestingly enough, many of the original ingredients are still used today, and there is no one definitive recipe for making the ultimate root beer.

Although Sasparella, birch beer and ginger beer were also popular during these times, it was the humble root beer that became that bit extra, when a generous helping of ice cream was added.

When and where did the root beer float originate from?

Way back in August of 1893, one Frank J. Wisner, the owner of Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Brewing Company, was staring out of the window thinking about a new line of soda waters he was producing for the good folk of Cripple Creek to enjoy.  Legend has it that the light of the full moon shone brightly upon the snow-capped Cow Mountain, turning the precocious entrepreneur’s thoughts to smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream.  Suddenly hungry for the sweet taste of ice cream, he hurried back to his bar and added a scoop of vanilla to his favorite soda – Myers Avenue Red Root Beer.

He tried it, and he loved it!  Knowing immediately what he had to do next, he got to work serving it to his regular customers the very next day.  He named his tasty new concoction after the magnificent Black Cow Mountain, and the root beer float was born.

Over the years it came to be known as a “Black Cow” and it went on to become one of the most popular soda and ice cream combinations in America.

Something A Little Different

To make the perfect root beer float, simply pour some of that cool, refreshing root beer into a tall glass and add a scoop of vanilla on top.  A word to the wise though – if you do it the other way around, you will end up with a sticky mess.

Across the country, twists on the original recipe have added a range of regional variations to this classic sweet treat.  In Chicago, for example, they like to swap out regular vanilla ice cream for vanilla custard instead. In Alabama, they make one strictly for the grown-ups by adding a shot of bourbon into the mix, as well as scoops of rich and decadent bourbon ice cream.

In Washington, they give the good old root beer float a taste of Mexico by adding dulce de leche ice cream, or rich Mexican chocolate for a really refined taste.  And in the Big Apple, they take things one step further, making a mouthwatering mature root beer float, using freshly brewed and fermented alcoholic beer, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Ice Cream Floats from Frostbite

Our nitrogen ice cream comes in a gazillion flavors (kinda) and we can add a scoop to any flavor you want.  Why not come and see us today to taste the sweetest and smoothest floats in Florida.

The best way to find out more about Frostbite Nitrogen Ice Cream is to experience it for yourself. Stop in with your kids, friends, Grandparents, date, or even just yourself. You won’t be disappointed!  Click our LOGO below to enter our website where you can discover more about us!

2125 S. University Dr.
Davie, Florida 33324

954-368-3642