This root beer float bar is perfect for your summer family fun nights or BBQs.
When I think of some of my favorite childhood summer memories I think of nights at the drive-in, ice cream for dinner, swimming in the pool and catching fireflies. I long to get back to those simple times and give my kids those summers that I had. Scroll down to see my root beer float bar and more vintage summer ideas from some of my friends. Every Friday night we have our Friday night pizza nights followed by a movie. In the summer if it’s a nice night we will set up an outdoor movie on the deck. I made this root beer float bar for a special treat during our movie. It reminded me of being at the drive-ins!
Root Beer Float Bar Fixings
- Root Beer
- Ice Cream (you can make your own homemade ice cream too! Click here for my recipe)
- Whipped Cream
- Sprinkles
- Hot Fudge
- Cherries
Some other fun and different root beer float variations:
- Make a boozy peanut butter float peanut butter cup ice cream and with peanut butter flavored whiskey.
- For the coffee lover use coffee flavored ice cream!
- For a healthier option if you like bananas, freeze some bananas then blend with a little bit of milk of your choice until an ice cream consistency and use for your float.
I added some decor I had around the house just to make it feel a little more fancy, like my chalkboard and cake stand.
Some tips-
- If not making and enjoying right away, you may want to have a galvanized bucket of ice and keep the root beer and ice cream on ice.
- Use small bowls for things like sprinkles, nuts, marshmallows and chocolate chips.
- For the sauces, whipped cream and cherries, just put out in their original containers or jars.
Enjoy!!!!
I love to see if you make any of my recipes. Be sure to tag me in your photos on Instagram @ourtiny_nest
Pin for later
For more summer inspiration, check out my friends ideas below
More Old Fashioned Summer Inspiration






The Tattered Pew | Eleanor Rose Home | Midwest Life and Style | Green Valley Gable | Our Tiny Nest Blog | White & Wood Grain
For another fun snack click here to check out my Banana Split Apple Nachos!
And click here for my summer bucket list
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19 Comments
Heidi
July 11, 2022 at 7:30 amI love these root beer floats Nicolle! What a great idea, I will need to try this with the family! Thank you for being a part of this old fashioned summer blog hop. I am pinning this for later!!!
Stacey
July 11, 2022 at 7:46 amSo fun! These definitely take me back to childhood! You’ve got me wanting to make root beer floats with my kids now. Thanks for the inspo! Pinning for later!
Jen
July 11, 2022 at 1:51 pmNow, THIS is my kind of summer treat! We have all of the fixings to make them, I think I’m going to have one now tonight! Yum! Pinned.
Brittany Hutchison
July 11, 2022 at 10:13 pmThis is such a fun summer dessert! I need to do this with my kids soon! 🙌
Devon
July 13, 2022 at 8:10 amI love this idea! Such a great summer afternoon activity.
Giangi Townsend
July 13, 2022 at 9:58 amI have not had a root beer float in ages, and your recipe brought back great memories. We all love it and requested again for this weekend treat.
Thankyou
KEVIN FOODIE
July 13, 2022 at 7:17 pmThis is a fascinating drink. I already know from the ingredients that it’s delicious. Thanks for sharing such an easy recipe.
Kelly
July 14, 2022 at 1:16 pmNicolle thanks for the reminder to add some root beer floats to our summer bucket list! Yum!
Cindy@CountyRoad407
July 20, 2022 at 4:35 pmThank you for sharing this with us at Farmhouse Friday! I love it and you brought back such fond memories of my own childhood. Featuring it this week. Hope you link up again soon! pinned
Nicolle
July 21, 2022 at 6:22 amThank you so much Cindy!!!! I appreciate that! Have a great rest of the week!
Pam
May 29, 2023 at 6:52 amI love this so much. When I was growing up, we made root beer floats. Your toppings and cute presentation have taken it to another level! Love it.
Nicolle
May 29, 2023 at 7:06 amHi Pam! Thank you so much for your sweet comment! Root beer floats are just so nostlagic aren’t they?
Susan Chapman Sikes
May 29, 2023 at 10:28 amGreat ideas right in time for summer!
Esmé Slabbert
May 31, 2023 at 4:42 pmI must admit I am not a fan of rootbeer but will substitute that with another soda and am sure if will be as good.
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Jeremy@ThirstyDaddy
May 31, 2023 at 9:00 pmWhen I bought my blender I had no idea that it would be used mainly for making ice cream milkshakes but here we are. I don’t think we’ve done root beer yet. Thanks for the idea
Susan Chapman Sikes
June 14, 2023 at 7:02 amThis is a great idea for this summer! I’m going to have to do this for the next family event!
Jenna
June 14, 2023 at 8:57 amWhat a cute and fun idea!
Joanne Viola
July 12, 2023 at 7:19 amGrowing up my dad used to make root beer floats and cream soda floats all the time on hot summer nights. The foam and fizz was always a delight!
Debbie Wilson
July 12, 2023 at 8:01 amI love root beer floats. But you’ve added a twist that takes it up a level. Thanks for the inspiration.