A little reason to celebrate
National Black Cow Day
Drink ยท June 10
A day for the black cow, the fizzy soda fountain drink of vanilla ice cream floating in root beer, or in some places cola.
National Black Cow Day falls on Thursday, June 10, 2027. That is 226 days away.
A black cow is ice cream dropped into a glass of dark soda. In many places the name means a root beer float made with vanilla ice cream. Ask around and you will hear other versions, including cola instead of root beer, or chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.
The drink behaves like a small science project. When the soda hits the ice cream, it foams up fast, and a pale, creamy head rises to the rim. The ice cream slowly melts into the soda, so the drink keeps changing as you go. The first sips are sharp and bubbly. The last ones taste closer to a milkshake that has made peace with carbonation.
The name has a cheerful logic to it, with dark soda and white cream sitting together in one glass. It belongs to the world of soda fountains and diner counters, where a tall glass, a long spoon and a straw were standard equipment. You still need both, since some of it is for drinking and some of it is for digging.
Making one at home takes two ingredients and a little patience. Put the ice cream in first, then pour the soda slowly down the side of a tilted glass so the foam does not run over. A chilled glass helps the ice cream hold its shape a bit longer.
Most people who grew up with this drink have a firm opinion about which soda belongs in it, and the person across the table usually disagrees.
Ways to celebrate
- Make a black cow at home with vanilla ice cream and root beer.
- Try a cola version and a root beer version side by side.
- Chill your glasses first so the ice cream melts more slowly.
- Ask friends or family what a black cow means where they grew up.
- Look for a local diner or ice cream shop that serves floats.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, June 10 |
| 2027 | Thursday, June 10 |
| 2028 | Saturday, June 10 |
| 2029 | Sunday, June 10 |
| 2030 | Monday, June 10 |
Also on June 10
- National Iced Tea Day
- National Egg Roll Day
- National Frosted Cookie Day
- National Herbs and Spices Day
- National Ballpoint Pen Day
Categories: Drink days