Ah, the Root Beer float, a treat as old as time. This classic and refreshing matchup of root beer and vanilla ice cream has been around for almost 150 years! Legend has it that the concept of the ice cream float came to be in 1874 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when the man operating a soda fountain at a semicentennial celebration ran out of ice and decided to use ice cream as a substitute. There are varying accounts as to who the man behind the concept was and the actual origin story, but one thing we can all agree on is the person that started the ice cream float sensation was a mastermind.
At Perry’s, we love an ice cream float as much as the next person, which is why we’ve teamed up with Saranac to compile a list of recipes of the best ice cream float combinations! What do you get when you pair Perry’s Ice Cream with delicious Saranac sodas? A match made in heaven, that’s what.
Check out our ice cream float recipes below!
The Classic Root Beer Float
Let’s kick it off with the original: A Root Beer Float!
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 6 pack of Saranac Root Beer (pssst: Saranac’s Root Beer is literally award winning!)
– 1 Perry’s Vanilla
– 6 pint glasses
Instructions:
Pour glasses about 3/4 full of Saranac Root Beer. Top with heaping scoop of Perry’s Vanilla. Pop in a straw and enjoy this refreshing treat filled with the flavors of fresh vanilla, cream and a hint of licorice!
The Ginger Bean Float
The Ginger Bean: A name we completely made up by combining Ginger Beer and Vanilla Bean. This ginger-filled float is effervescent, tart and snappy!
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 6 pack of Saranac Ginger Beer
– 1 Perry’s Vanilla Bean
– 6 pint glasses
Instructions:
Pour glasses about 3/4 full of Saranac Ginger Beer. Top with a scoop of Perry’s Vanilla Bean. Feeling adventurous? Try using Saranac’s Cranberry Ginger Beer for an extra refreshing kick!
The “You’ll Shirley Love This” Float
Who said Shirley Temples are just for kids? This float is oh-so-cherry-delicious combining the world-famous Shirley Temple with our retro, cherry-filled Parkerhouse!
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 6 pack of Saranac Shirley Temple Soda
– 1 Perry’s Parkerhouse
– 6 pint glasses
– Maraschino cherries
Instructions:
Pour glasses about 3/4 full of Saranac Shirley Temple soda. Toss in a scoop of Perry’s Parkerhouse and top with maraschino cherries to garnish (and snack on)!
The Orange Dream Float
Super dreamy and orange cream-y! Orange Cream soda + creamy Orange Twist ice cream = a match made in heaven.
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 6 pack of Saranac Orange Cream
– 1 Perry’s Orange Twist
– 6 pint glasses
Instructions:
Pour glasses about 3/4 full of Saranac Orange Cream. Top with a scoop of Perry’s Orange Twist. Looking for an even easier version of this float? Swap the scoop of Orange Twist with an Orange Buddie Bar. Just unwrap the bar and dunk it in your glass!
The Very Berry Cherry Float
The Very Berry Cherry Float combines Black Cherry Cream soda with Black Raspberry ice cream for a picture-perfect deep purple colored float!
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 6 pack of Saranac Black Cherry Cream soda
– 1 Perry’s Black Raspberry
– 6 pint glasses
– Berries for garnish
Instructions:
Pour glasses about 3/4 full of Saranac Black Cherry Cream. Add in a scoop of Perry’s Black Raspberry and serve! Pro tip: add some berries for an even prettier float. Stick some raspberries and blueberries on top of your ice cream scoop or muddle some in the bottom of your glass. Delicious and nutritious (well, sort of ;)).
The Work of Tart Float
Pucker up for this one! The Work of Tart Float combines the fruity, bubbly and fresh taste of sparkling lemonade with the tartness of Perry’s Northern Lights sherbet and creates a gorgeous pastel-colored drink sure to awaken your tastebuds!
Here’s what you’ll need:
– 1 6 pack of Saranac Sparkling Lemonade
– 2 pints Perry’s Northern Lights
– 6 pint glasses
Instructions:
Pour glasses about 3/4ths full with Saranac Sparkling Lemonade. Top with a generous scoop of Perry’s Northern Lights and serve with a straw for an out-of-this world treat!
Now get your float on! And don’t forget, the way to the perfect float is to add the soda before you add the ice cream to avoid excessive foaming.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @perrysicecream and @saranacbrewery, and tag us with your float creations!
Find Saranac sodas near you: https://www.saranac.com/beer-finder/
Find Perry’s Ice Cream near you: https://www.perrysicecream.com/flavor-finder/
Contributor: Gabe Buck