A little reason to celebrate
National Root Beer Float Day
Drink · Food · August 6
A day for the root beer float, the soda fountain classic of vanilla ice cream sinking slowly into a glass of fizzy root beer.
National Root Beer Float Day falls on Friday, August 6, 2027. That is 283 days away.
A root beer float is two things in one glass: a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream and a pour of cold root beer. Simple as that sounds, the pair does something neither can manage alone.
The moment the soda hits the ice cream, a pale foam rises fast and threatens the rim. Pour slowly, tilt the glass, and wait for the head to settle before topping it off. Underneath, the ice cream starts to melt into the root beer, turning the bottom of the glass creamy while the top stays sharp and bubbly. Most people end up using both a straw and a long spoon, and nobody agrees on which to start with.
Root beer itself has a flavor that is hard to pin down. It is usually built around notes of sassafras or wintergreen, with vanilla, licorice or spice depending on the maker. Small regional brands can taste quite different from one another, so a float made with one can seem like a new drink when made with another.
Marking the day rarely takes more than a freezer and a fridge. Some people go out to a diner or ice cream shop that still serves floats in tall frosted mugs. Others set out a few root beers and let everyone build their own at the kitchen counter. A frozen glass helps the ice cream hold its shape a little longer.
The last spoonful, mostly melted ice cream with a few stubborn bubbles, is often the best part.
Ways to celebrate
- Build a float at home with vanilla ice cream and cold root beer.
- Try two different root beer brands side by side.
- Chill your glasses in the freezer before pouring.
- Visit a local diner or ice cream shop that serves floats.
- Share a float with a friend using two straws.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, August 6 |
| 2027 | Friday, August 6 |
| 2028 | Sunday, August 6 |
| 2029 | Monday, August 6 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, August 6 |
Also on August 6
Categories: Drink daysFood days