Root beer float
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A root beer float is a dessert that consists of root beer and vanilla ice cream. It is usually made by scooping out ice cream into a drink receptacle, and then pouring in root beer. The combination of the two ingredients generates a frothy foam, which often overflows out of the container. The amount of foam can be reduced to a more manageable level if the root beer is poured first, and the ice cream is then gently lowered into it.
Root beer floats are usually eaten with a spoon. A popular technique is to take some ice cream in the spoon, dip it in the root beer, and eat it. When all of the solid ice cream is eaten, the remaining mixture of root beer and melted ice cream can be drunk either with or without a straw. Another method is to mix the ice cream and root beer together, then drink the concoction after the ice cream has melted.
A root beer float can also be blended to create a consistently textured beverage not unlike a milkshake.
A&W Restaurants are well known for their root beer floats.
A root beer float is also sometimes called a Brown Cow or Black Cow, although the latter also refers to an ice cream soda made with cola instead of root beer. Another related drink is the Boston Cooler, made with ginger ale.
The root beer float is thought to have been invented by Frank J. Wisner in August of 1893. He was inspired to "float" a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of his Myers Avenue Red root beer from his late night glimpse of the snow on top of the blackened Cow Mountain (location of his gold claims) illuminated by the full moon overhead. It was an instant hit with the children of Cripple Creek who soon shortened the convoluted name Mr. Wisner came up with to just a "Black Cow". Mr. Wisner often remarked that if he had a nickel for every time someone ordered a Black Cow, he would have been a rich man.
References
- "Cripple Creek Brewing - The Legend Continues (http://www.cripplecreekbrewing.com/)." Cripple Creek Brewing. Accessed on May 31, 2005.
- "Saint Arnold Brewing Company Lifts a Mug to Inventor of the Root Beer Float (http://www.saintarnold.com/news/press/2004_08_18.html)", Saint Arnold Brewing Company, (May 31, 2005)