NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY 

AUGUST 6

On August 6th, National Root Beer Float Day tells us to float a scoop of vanilla ice

cream in an ice-cold mug of frothy root beer. The classic beverage creates a creamy

treat loved by generations!

History:

According to the National Calendar Day website, known as the “Black Cow,” the root

beer float got its start in Colorado in a mining camp. Frank J. Wisner of Cripple Creek,

Colorado, gets the credit for inventing the “Black Cow” way back in August of 1893.One

night Wisner, owner of the Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company, was

staring out the window and thinking about the line of soda waters he was producing for

the citizens of Cripple Creek when he came upon an idea. The full moon that night

shined on the snow-capped Cow Mountain and reminded him of a scoop of vanilla ice

cream. He hurried back to his bar and scooped a spoonful of ice cream into the

children’s favorite flavor of soda, Myers Avenue Red Root Beer. After trying, he liked it

and served it the very next day. It was an immediate hit.

Ingredients:

1 can or bottle of root beer

2-3 scoops vanilla ice cream

Add ice cream to a mug. You can frost the glass mug by putting it into the freezer for

20 minutes. Slowly add root beer. Stir and the ice cream will float.

Variations:

Use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla

Drizzle chocolate sauce around inside of mug first

Use cola or cherry cola instead of root beer

Use a fruit flavored soda instead of root beer. Strawberry, pineapple,

grape, orange or fruit punch

Add brownie chunks

Add whipped cream and a cherry to the top