Ice Cream Float Recipe

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Total: 10 mins

Servings: 2 servings

Yield: 2 floats

Ice cream floats are an iconic American treat that will take you right back to your childhood. You may have enjoyed one at your favorite diner or fast-food restaurant, but you can always enjoy them right in the comfort of your own home. 

We spiced up the traditional root beer float by adding a quick and easy homemade cinnamon syrup. It’s sweet and spicy and goes perfectly with the flavor of the root beer. Top it off with homemade whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for a nostalgic dessert.

“The easy cinnamon syrup and whipped cream make these floats more decadent and special than the usual two-ingredient versions. And it doesn’t take that much more effort. The cinnamon syrup really enhanced the flavor of the root beer. Be sure to use the biggest glass you can find, or use a little less soda.” —Danielle Centoni

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

• 2 (12-ounce) bottles root beer, or any other soda of your choice

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 cup water

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

• 1/2 pint vanilla ice cream

• Maraschino cherries, for garnish, optional

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Pour the root beer into 2 large, tall glasses. Place the glasses in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. This lets off a little of the carbonation so it won’t overly fizz when the ice cream is added.

   

3. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and water to a small saucepan. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally until the mixture is thickened and syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes.

   Remove from the pan from the heat and allow it to cool while you prepare the whipped cream.

   

4. Add the heavy cream and powdered sugar to a bowl and whip with a hand mixer until soft peaks form. Don’t over mix or you will end up with butter rather than whipped cream.

   

5. Add two to three scoops of ice cream to each glass.

   

6. Top with the whipped cream and drizzle the cinnamon syrup on top. Add the cherry, if using. Serve immediately, with a straw and a long spoon.

   

   Recipe Variations

   • There are many different variations for ice cream floats! Traditionally, a dark soda like root beer or cola are used, but you can also make it with lemon-lime, orange soda, or even ginger ale. 
   • Vanilla ice cream is traditionally used, but you can also try other flavors. Chocolate ice cream works well dark sodas, and strawberry or other fruit-forward ice creams work well with lemon-lime sodas.
   • You can mix it up with different syrups. We love the cinnamon syrup with root beer because of root beer’s spiciness. But you could also pair it with chocolate syrup (sometimes referred to as a black cow). Add in vanilla syrup or strawberry syrup if you’re using lemon-lime soda.