Celebrate National Root Beer Float Day Every August 6
A hot August day is the perfect time to enjoy a sweet, creamy root beer float. And August 6 is a doubly perfect day to indulge. Not only is it August (and so most likely hot), it’s also National Root Beer Float Day.
Root Beer Float History and Trivia
Frank Wisner gets the credit for inventing this drink in 1893 in Cripple Creek, Colorado. His inspiration was supposedly the snow cap on a nearby mountain, Cow Mountain. He thought it looked like a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
He named his creation “Black Cow Mountain,” which was promptly shortened to “black cow.”
Sometimes the drink is still called a “black cow” (or “brown cow”). But in some places those terms refer to a float made with cola, not root beer.
And “brown cow” can also mean a root beer float made with chocolate ice cream (which is sometimes also called a “chocolate cow”).
Of course, the more generic ice cream float was apparently invented several years earlier, in 1874. That’s when Robert McCay first added ice cream to soda water and the customer’s choice of flavored syrup (16 to choose from).
From our research it wasn’t clear if root beer was one of those flavors.
But root beer drinks (either sassafras- or sarsaparilla-based) have been around since at least the 1840s (probably uncarbonated at that time). And people were drinking sassafras-based beverages in the 16th century.
So it’s possible root beer was one of the choices long before Mr. Wisner gazed upon a snow-capped mountain.
And the ice cream float inventor may actually have been George Guy. Or Fred Sanders. Or maybe Philip Mohr. And the year may have been 1872.
Confused yet?
No worries. Whatever you choose to call it, and however it was invented, a scoop of ice cream floating in a cold glass of root beer is heavenly.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficially refreshing holiday.
Ideas For Celebrating National Root Beer Float Day
You really only need one idea: Enjoy a root beer float.
Make one yourself or get someone to make one for you (mothers are a great choice here, no matter how old you are). Some restaurants may even have specials on the drink today.
A&W has traditionally given away small root beer floats for the day. It encourages donating to the Disabled American Veterans in exchange for your root beer float, but it’s not required.
If you make one yourself, just remember: Add the ice cream to the root beer, not the other way around.
Obviously you don’t need a recipe for a root beer float, but if you’d like to make your own root beer, try this A&W Root Beer Copycat.
Or you may want to make an adult version of your float:
- Grown-Up Root Beer Float: A bit of bourbon adds a kick to your float.
- Bacardi Root Beer Float: This one substitutes vanilla rum for the ice cream. We’re a little skeptical about this, but it’s worth a try!
How about a root beer float inspired dessert?
Will you be having a root beer float (or two) to celebrate Root Beer Float Day?
[…] National Root Beer Float Day: Mmmmm … sweet & creamy & root beery! It’s the perfect treat for a hot August day. Or any hot day. Ok, any day. But especially good on August 6, ‘cause that’s the day to celebrate it. And you can get one free if there’s an A&W near you … […]