Tillamook Test Kitchen: The Best Root Beer Float Recipe
The last day of July: 79 degrees, the BBQ cooling down in the yard after dinner, a craving for the perfect concoction to wrap up a summer evening… Bring on the root beer float recipes!
Time for root beer floats!
Yes, floats plural! Let’s make a Root Beer Chocolate Float, Stout Beer Chocolate Float, Orange Cream Soda Float, Cherry Orange Float, and the Classic Root Beer Float! Welcome to our first Tillamook Test Kitchen all about Tillamook Ice Cream!
Classic root beer float with Tillamook Old-Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream
To start with, we have our classic Root Beer Float recipe with Tillamook Old-Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream+ all-natural root beer. Pros: Nostalgic taste, it has that sweet crunch when the ice cream foams up, and it’s a perfect balance of flavors. Cons: You’ve had it before, so why not try something new?
Root beer float with Tillamook Udderly Chocolate Ice Cream
Moving on to a slight twist… Tillamook Udderly Chocolate Ice Cream + all-natural root beer. Pros: Udderly Chocolate Ice Cream has both white and dark chocolate so it’s pretty in a float, the chocolate gives a depth of flavor to the root beer and satisfies the chocolate lover in all of us. Cons: It doesn’t seem to create that crunch effect that comes with the classic. Anyone know the physics of that?
Mmm... listen for that crackling sound when the root beer (or beer) hits the ice cream!
For an adult upgrade, try Tillamook Udderly Chocolate Ice Cream + chocolate stout beer! Pros: Chocolate combined with chocolate is always a winner, and it’s not as sweet so it’s a bit more refreshing on a summer day. Cons: You have to like the taste of stout beer to enjoy this… and drink responsibly!
The taste of an Orange Cream Soda Float reminds me of childhood memories. Let’s try Tillamook Old-Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream + orange cream soda. Pros: The crunch is back with this option, it feels really summery, and you can easily add fresh berries or other fun toppings. Cons: Sweeter than a classic root beer float – perhaps too sweet for some?
Tillamook Oregon Black Cherry Ice Cream + orange cream soda
Finally, what happens when you combine Tillamook Oregon Black Cherry Ice Cream+ orange cream soda? Pure deliciousness. Pros: A really fun take on an old classic, it’s great for kids, and it’s fruitier. Cons: Doesn’t look as pretty.
Overall winners (in my humble opinion):
1. Root Beer Chocolate Float
2. Cherry Orange Float
3. Classic Root Beer Float
Which root beer float recipe tops your list?
August 5th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Other favorites in our household: Pepsi with cherry, Pepsi with chocolate, strawberry crush with vanilla, grape crush with chocolate.
August 5th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Ooo yum! Thanks for sharing these great ideas, Angela! Grape crush with chocolate sounds like it would taste like a Tootsie Pop!
-Tara of the Tillamook Team
August 5th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Love the orange cherry float idea. We’ve always done the classic root beer and vanilla, and the orange and vanilla, and even ventured into coke and vanilla (which was awesome), but never really thought of using anything other than vanilla. We’ll have to try this out because Tillamook ice cream is on sale right now at my grocery store!
August 5th, 2011 at 11:34 am
I love these ideas, too, Javier, and the versatility of floats! Pick any ice cream and any soda!
-Tara of the Tillamook Team
August 5th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Cherry Pepsi and chocolate ice cream is one of my favorites. But I also just love a classic root-beer float. Think I will have to have one tomorrow.
August 5th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
… I think I’ll have to make one tomorrow, too. But I’m not sure I can wait that long. Might need a pre-celebration float tonight!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
-Tara of the Tillamook Team