Best Root Beer For Root Beer Floats

Okay, friend, let’s talk about one of summer’s greatest joys: the root beer float. I’m not talking about any float. I’m talking about that perfect, frosty, fizzy concoction that makes you feel like a kid again. The kind where the ice cream battles the soda in a delicious, creamy war.

The key is the root beer itself. Get it wrong, and your float is a sad, flat, or overly-sweet puddle of regret. Get it right, and you’ve got a masterpiece. So, let’s sip through the contenders, shall we?

The Heavyweight Champion: Barq’s

Barq’s is the loud, confident friend who walks into the room and owns it. It has bite. That sharp, sassy bite is because it actually has caffeine. Yes, real caffeine. It’s the root beer that says, “I’m not here to mess around.”

For a float, this is golden. That bite cuts through the richness of vanilla ice cream like a knife through butter. The result? A float that stays refreshing instead of turning into a sugary soup. It’s the perfect partner for a heavy, creamy vanilla.

Pro tip: Use a high-quality vanilla bean ice cream with Barq’s. The little flecks of vanilla dance with the bite beautifully. You’ll thank me later.

The Silver Medalist: A&W

A&W is the classic, the hometown hero. It’s sweeter, smoother, and more… hug-like. Think of it as the root beer equivalent of a warm blanket on a rainy day. It’s made with real vanilla and honey, and you can taste it.

Where Barq’s fights the ice cream, A&W melds with it. It creates a creamy, almost milkshake-like texture. This is your go-to if you want a float that’s more like a dessert than a drink. It’s dangerously easy to drink.

Refreshing Root Beer Float

One warning: A&W’s sweetness can sometimes overwhelm the ice cream. If you use a very sweet ice cream, the whole thing becomes a sugar bomb. Balance, people! Use a subtle vanilla, or even a French vanilla, to keep things in check.

The Wild Card: IBC

IBC comes in that gorgeous, old-fashioned glass bottle. It immediately makes you feel fancy, even if you’re eating the float in your sweatpants. The flavor is complex—think wintergreen, anise, and a little sarsaparilla.

Here’s the thing: IBC is a bit bourbon-like in its complexity. It’s not for everyone. Some people say it tastes like medicine. I say it tastes like depth. It’s the root beer for adults who secretly want to feel like they’re sipping something sophisticated.

For a float, it’s a gamble. The strong, herbal notes can clash with cheap ice cream. But pair it with a premium, high-butterfat vanilla? Chef’s kiss. You get a float that tastes like a gourmet experiment gone perfectly right.

The Underdog: Virgil’s

Virgil’s is the “natural” root beer, sweetened with cane sugar and agave. No high-fructose corn syrup allowed. It’s like the friend who does yoga and only drinks kombucha. But don’t roll your eyes, because it actually works.

The Best Root Beers For Making Root Beer Floats - Daily Meal | Root

It has a very light, almost sparkly carbonation. It’s less syrupy than the big brands. This makes for a float that feels incredibly refreshing, not heavy. It’s the perfect choice for a sweltering 95-degree afternoon.

The catch? It’s not as bold. The flavor is subtle. If you like a loud, punchy root beer, Virgil’s might taste a bit shy. But for a float where the ice cream is the star, Virgil’s lets it shine without shouting over it.

The Dark Horse: Stewart’s

Stewart’s is the nostalgic choice, the one that tastes like a county fair. It’s full-bodied, sweet, and has a creamy head of foam when you pour it. The flavor is a little chewy, if a soda can be chewy. It lingers.

For a float, it’s pure joy. It’s the kind of root beer that makes you close your eyes and sigh. The carbonation is moderate, so the ice cream doesn’t fizz up into a volcano. It’s a predictable, reliable, and utterly delicious experience.

Just be aware: Stewart’s is sweet. Very, sweet. You’ll want a slightly salty ice cream (like a salted caramel vanilla) to cut through the sugar. Otherwise, your teeth will ache in a good way. Mostly good.

The Best Root Beers For Making Root Beer Floats

The Honorable Mention: Sprecher

Sprecher is from Wisconsin, and it’s a bit of a hipster secret. It’s brewed with real honey and has a bready, malty flavor. It’s almost like drinking root beer flavored toast. That sounds weird, but it’s amazing.

For a float, it’s a revelation. The maltiness stands up to the ice cream’s fat, creating a flavor that’s almost like a root beer latte. It’s complex. It’s sophisticated. It’s the float you serve to impress your snobby friends.

Just know that Sprecher is very fizzy. Like, it might explode on you fizzy. Pour it slowly. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you’re cleaning root beer off your ceiling.

The Final Verdict

So, which one is the best? There’s no one right answer. It depends on your soul. Craving a fight with your ice cream? Grab a Barq’s. Want a cozy, sweet hug? Reach for an A&W. Feeling adventurous? Try an IBC with premium vanilla.

My personal go-to? I’m a Barq’s girl, through and through. But I keep a four-pack of Stewart’s in the pantry for rainy days. Experiment. Have a taste test party. The only wrong answer is a flat, warm root beer. So go forth, buy a few bottles, and make the float of your dreams. Your inner child is waiting.