Root beer float
A root beer float is a dessert that consists of root beer and vanilla ice cream. It is usually made by scooping out ice cream into a drink receptacle, and then pouring in root beer. The combination of the two ingredients generates a frothy foam, which often overflows out of the container. The amount of foam can be reduced to a more manageable level if the root beer is poured first, and the ice cream is then gently lowered into it.
Root beer floats are usually eaten with a spoon. A popular technique is to take some ice cream in the spoon, dip it in the root beer, and eat it. When all of the solid ice cream is eaten, the remaining mixture of root beer and melted ice cream can be drunk either with or without a straw. Another method is to mix the ice cream and root beer together, then drink the concoction after the ice cream has melted.
A root beer float can also be blended to create a consistently textured beverage not unlike a milkshake.
A&W Restaurants are well known for their root beer floats.
A root beer float is also sometimes called a Brown Cow or Black Cow, although the latter also refers to an ice cream soda made with cola instead of root beer. Another related drink is the Boston Cooler, made with ginger ale.