Skip to content
The Little Epicurean
  • About
  • Desserts & Baking
  • Ingredient Index
  • Recipe Index
facebookinstagrampinteresttiktok
  • Recipes
  • Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Filipino
    • French
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Mexican
  • Desserts
    • All Desserts
    • Breads & Rolls
    • Brownies, Bars, & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Donuts, Pancakes, & Waffles
    • Ice Cream
    • Pies & Tarts
    • Porridge & Puddings
    • Scones & Biscuits
  • Drinks
    • All Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Coffee & Tea
    • Mocktails
    • Smoothies
  • Ingredient
    • Cheese
    • Chocolate
    • Coffee
    • Meat
    • Nuts
    • Peanut Butter
    • Pumpkin
    • Seafood
    • Vegetables
  • Occasion
    • Birthday
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Memorial Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact
facebookinstagrampinteresttiktok
Home ·  Recipes

Boozy Maple Ice Cream Root Beer Float

Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Nov 17, 2015Updated: Jul 24, 2023
View Recipe10 Reviews
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

This boozy ice cream float features maple ice cream, whiskey, and root beer! It’s an updated adult version of a classic childhood favorite. 

This boozy ice cream float features maple ice cream, whiskey, and root beer! It's an updated adult version of a classic childhood favorite. 

Let’s reminisce about our carefree childhood summers.

Mine were spent chasing around the ice cream truck, running through the sprinklers, and lounging around with a worry in the world.

Two things I enjoyed eating during summer vacation: s’mores and root beer floats!

Here’s an updated adult version. Whiskey root beer float with maple ice cream!

This boozy ice cream float features maple ice cream, whiskey, and root beer! It’s an updated adult version of a classic childhood favorite.

Adult Root Beer Float Cocktail

As a child, root beer floats took me to my happy place. Years later, root beer with ice cream still does the trick.

With cooler temps finally the norm in Los Angeles, I’ve been wearing cozy pajamas (read: ALL-DAY) and sitting next to our fireplace in the evenings.

With the house all warm and toasty, chilly boozy beverages are very much welcome while we TV binge at night.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

There are three key ingredients to this adult float cocktail: ice cream, liqueur, and soda.

Ice Cream: This version uses homemade maple ice cream for a kick of flavor! However, any store-bought ice cream works. Ideal flavors: vanilla ice cream, butter pecan ice cream, or caramel ice cream.

Liqueur: Maple ice cream and vanilla ice cream pair well with whiskey or bourbon. Or, sub in dark rum or spiced rum. Vanilla vodka is another delicious alternative.

Soda: Use the best quality root beer you can find! I recommend IBC, Dad’s, or Stewarts. Alternatively, use cream soda for a much sweeter float.

This boozy ice cream float features maple ice cream, whiskey, and root beer! It’s an updated adult version of a classic childhood favorite.
pour whiskey over ice cream.
This boozy ice cream float features maple ice cream, whiskey, and root beer! It’s an updated adult version of a classic childhood favorite.
top with root beer.

Let’s Build Root Beer Float Cocktails

Just like regular root beer float, this is just as easy to assemble. 

  1. For extra decadence, I add a drizzle of caramel or maple syrup at the bottom of the serving glass. This is optional.
  2. Add two scoops of homemade maple ice cream or vanilla ice cream.
  3. Follow with 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon of choice.
  4. Top with chilled root beer.
  5. Eat and enjoy!
This boozy ice cream float features maple ice cream, whiskey, and root beer! It’s an updated adult version of a classic childhood favorite.

That’s it. CHEERS! Drink up and enjoy. If you’re feeling fancy, you can go ahead and drizzle so more caramel on top of the root beer foam.

Other Variations on the Alcoholic Float

Classic float pairs together ice cream and soda. Here are some more adult versions to try:

  • Orange Creamsicle = vanilla ice cream + vanilla vodka + orange soda
  • Affogato = vanilla ice cream + kahlua + espresso
  • Cream Soda Float = chocolate ice cream + dark rum + cream soda
Boozy Maple Ice Cream Root Beer Floats

Boozy Maple Ice Cream Root Beer Float

Maple ice cream, whiskey, and root beer. It’s an updated adult version of a classic childhood favorite!
Yield: serves 1, multiply as needed
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 scoops maple hazelnut ice cream * or vanilla ice cream
  • 2 oz whiskey or bourbon of choice
  • chilled root beer, to top
  • store-bought caramel sauce, optional

Instructions
 

  • Drizzle optional caramel sauce in serving glass. Add ice cream, follow with whiskey, and top glass with chilled root beer. Serve immediately.

Notes

Ice Cream: This version uses homemade maple ice cream for a kick of flavor! However, any store-bought ice cream works. Ideal flavors: vanilla ice cream, butter pecan ice cream, or caramel ice cream.
Liqueur: Maple ice cream and vanilla ice cream pair well with whiskey or bourbon. Or, sub in dark rum or spiced rum. Vanilla vodka is another delicious alternative.
Soda: Use the best quality root beer you can find! I recommend IBC, Dad’s, or Stewarts. Alternatively, use cream soda for a much sweeter float.
Author: Maryanne Cabrera
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: adult root beer float, alcoholic root beer float, whiskey root beer float
Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.

More Alcohol Float Drink Recipes

  • Watermelon Margarita Float
  • Whiskey Ice Cream Float
  • Blueberry Mojito Float
10 Reviews
Filed in:
Cocktails · Ice CreamBourbon · Christmas · Fall + Winter · Frozen · Halloween · Thanksgiving · Whiskey

Ask a Question! Cancel Reply

I love hearing from you! Submit your question or review below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Reader Questions and Reviews

  1. Sarah | Broma Bakery says:
    November 18, 2015

    This is my kind of float. Killing it, girl!

    Reply
  2. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says:
    November 18, 2015

    Bring on the root beer floats!! I’m in!! These sound delicious Maryanne!

    Reply
  3. Des @ Life's Ambrosia says:
    November 18, 2015

    Oh man my husband would absolutely love these!

    Reply
  4. Jessica @ Sprinkle Some Sugar says:
    November 18, 2015

    FIRST of all, that maple hazelnut ice cream just kinda blew my mind. I just want to dive right into that mug!

    Reply
  5. tanya says:
    November 18, 2015

    Yum, these floats would warm you on those cold winter night! Love it!

    Reply
  6. Amanda | The Chunky Chef says:
    November 18, 2015

    You had me hooked at “boozy” ;) Seriously though, this looks soooo delicious!!

    Reply
  7. Becky Hardin says:
    November 18, 2015

    I just really want to be you. This is perfection!

    Reply
  8. Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says:
    November 19, 2015

    Love these grown up floats!

    Reply
  9. Kara | Sorghum and Starch says:
    November 19, 2015

    Yum!!

    Reply
  10. Paula - bell'alimento says:
    November 19, 2015

    You had me at boozy. I’ve got my straw ready ; )

    Reply
Maryanne Cabrera

Meet the Author

Maryanne Cabrera is a classically trained pastry chef, baker, cake maker, and cocktail shaker.
Read more about me

You Might Also Like...

Dirty Chai Eggnog

Dirty Chai Eggnog

Roasted Banana Cheesecake Ice Cream | The Little Epicurean

Roasted Banana Cheesecake Ice Cream

Espresso Granita with ice cream | the little epicurean

Espresso Granita with Ice Cream

Pineapple Jalapeño Green Popsicles | the little epicurean

Pineapple Jalapeno Green Popsicles

Find Your Next Recipe

The Little Epicurean is a Los Angeles-based recipe blog featuring from-scratch baking, decadent dessert, and unique cocktails.

Let's Get Social!
facebookinstagrampinteresttiktok
Cake

Chocolate Butter Mochi Cake

Inspired by our travels to Maui, this chocolate butter mochi cake features a chewy brownie topped with peanut butter...

Orange Blossom Bundt Cake

This alluring orange blossom bundt cake is moist and buttery. It is naturally flavored with orange zest and orange...
Breads & Rolls

Cheddar Everything Babka Buns

Soft and fluffy Cheddar Everything Babka Buns. These individually portioned muffin buns are loaded with cheddar cheese and everything...

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

Carrot cake cinnamon rolls frosted with whipped cream cheese and topped with toasted walnuts. It’s the iconic flavors of...
Cookies

Rye Chocolate Chip Cookies

These aren’t your average chocolate chip cookies. Brown butter rye chocolate chip cookies are nutty and spiced with touch...

White Chocolate Earl Grey Cookies

Soft and chewy Earl Grey Cookies infused with tea and studded with white chocolate chunks. They’re a sweet treat...
As Seen On Better Homes & GardensBuzzfeedHuffington postReal SimpleThe Kitchn
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
© 2023 The Little Epicurean, All Rights Reserved. Design by LH.