Root Beer and Rum Ice Cream Float. Yeah, baby! On the way home from camping this weekend, we suddenly wanted steamed crabs. But, alas, crabs go quickly around here, especially early in the season, so there were no crabs to be had. But in our quest for crabs, I saw some root beer and suddenly wanted a good root beer float. I don’t drink them often, but I do love root beer floats. However, I decided the usual root beer float was simply not going to cut it.
Root Beer and Rum Ice Cream Float
You see … I also wanted to enjoy an evening cocktail on the porch. There was no way that I could—or wanted to—indulge in both a root beer float and a cocktail. What’s a girl to do? How about combine the two?
Oh, yes, I did, and pretty easily and very deliciously as it turns out. All you need is a little rum!
Root Beer and Rum Ice Cream Float
Ingredients
- About 1 cup of gluten-free root beer
- ¼ cup (a little more than 1 shot) rum (I used light rum)
- About 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream (dairy-free ice cream works just fine), with more in reserve as needed
Instructions
- Pour root beer into a mug.
- Add rum. Stir.
- Add ice cream until the mug is full, allowing a few seconds for root beer mixture to foam up and calm back down.
- Serve with a straw.
Notes
Keep a mug in the freezer and enjoy your float in a frosty mug.A local restaurant offers root beer floats. They always bring extra root beer “in case you need it.” In my experience, it’s not extra root beer, but extra ice cream that you need! That’s why I note adding extra ice cream in the recipe---per your personal preference, of course.
More Cocktail Recipes on GFE
Oh, how I love a good cocktail! And I love them year ’round. You’ll find recipes here for every season. Enjoy!
~ Frozen Watermelon Margaritas
~ Pineapple Upside Down Martini
Originally published June 9, 2014. Updated June 19, 2017.
DIANE says
Your recipe measurement for the rum is confusing. You say to use 1/4 cup rum, then you put “1 shot” in parentheses. 1 “shot” is not 1/4 cup. In the U.S., 1 “shot” is considered 1.5 oz. 1/4 cup is 2 oz.
Shirley says
Diane–I just changed my wording. I poured the rum from my full shot glass into a measuring cup and it measured 1/4 cup, but I realize that a shot is typically considered to be 1.5 ounces. Not sure if my shot glass is larger than most. 😉 Anyway, hopefully, my update has clarified things!
Shirley
Aslan Balaur says
Besides, the extra 1/2 ounce rum should just make it that much more “special”. Ever try it with spiced rum?
Shirley says
Not yet, Aslan, but great idea as it should be very good with spiced rum! 😉 Happy to have you here on gfe. 🙂
Shirley
Aslan Balaur says
Thanks for the welcome. My wife and I are both gluten intolerant. (Rather badly intolerant, for her, sadly) Thank the Goddess that neither of us get set off by distillates. And I plan to try this recipe SEVERAL times this summer!
Shirley says
Aslan–You’re welcome, of course. 🙂 I’m so happy that I don’t have an issue with distilled alcohol either. We can all enjoy this treat this summer. 😉
Shirley
Maggie says
You and your hubby are just big kids at heart and I so admire that! One of the many things I love about you and your lifestyle. xo
Shirley says
Missed replying … you’re so sweet, dear. We’re always being shown that life is short and often hard, “playing” just makes sense. 😉
Thanks, Maggie. xo,
Shirley
Diane Eblin says
Oh you delicious naughty girl. I’m having one of these this weekend! Oh wait I guess that means I’m the same. Love this combo Shirley!
Shirley says
I hope you followed through with your delicious naughty plans because I know you’d definitely enjoy this one, Diane. 🙂
Thanks!
Shirley
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says
I think I’ve died and gone to heaven! Oh my land, Shirley! This sounds fabulous! 😉 And I love that sign you have, “Welcome to the porch.” It’s perfect!
xoxo,
Megan
Shirley says
Megan–My sister gave me that sign a few years ago and it’s perfect. 🙂 I’ve never hung it because I just keep moving it around to the best vantage point. 😉 Oh, and yes, this drink is pretty heavenly!
Thanks! xo,
Shirley
Lynne L says
Tsk tsk oh my!!! Sounds like my kind of refreshing drink…or is it dessert??!! In any case, very yummy!
Shirley says
It’s both a drink and dessert, Lynne! 🙂
Shirley
Cheryl Harris says
nom!
(that says it all, I think)
Shirley says
You are the queen of succinctness, dear! 🙂
Shirley
brenda says
What rum is gluten free. I was told the only liquor that was gf was potato vodka.
Shirley says
Hi Brenda–Welcome to gfe. 🙂 Years ago, those who were gluten free were told they could only consume alcohol that started with gluten-free ingredients. However, for quite some time it’s been known that distilled alcohol is gluten free. From Gluten-Free Living: “Distilled alcoholic beverages are gluten free because distillation effectively removes gluten from wheat. They are not gluten free if gluten-containing ingredients are added after distillation, but this rarely, if ever, happens.” I made this drink using Bacardi silver label rum because it’s light in flavor.
Enjoy. 🙂
Shirley
Aslan Balaur says
For those concerned about gluten and distillates, further reading:
http://www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog/2013/04/02/what-really-makes-a-spirit-gluten-free/
Basically, it states that since gluten cannot travel by vapor, by definition, distillation removes gluten.
Shirley says
Thanks for sharing, Aslan. I’ve seen it stated as the gluten molecule is too large to “survive” the distillation process. That said, I know there are some who are gluten free who say they can’t tolerate any distilled alcohol made from grains. Everyone has to do what makes them feel comfortable.
Shirley
Aslan Balaur says
“Everyone has to do what makes them feel comfortable.”
I think I can agree on that. Especially since there ARE other chemicals in distillates that some might be sensitive to, other than gluten.
Shirley says
Yes. Thanks.
Shirley
Laura O|Petite Allergy Treats says
I have such fond memories involving real root beer floats. In the city I went to high school, there was an old fashion park and eat restaurant. The waitresses even wore roller skates to come and take your order from the car! This makes me think it’s time to make some for the kids!
Shirley says
Laura–I must have replied to you in my head, because I distinctly remember your comment. What a cool experience for you! It’s been a very, very long time since there were roller skating waitresses around here–or even curb service like that–but that sure would make ordering a root beer float super special! 😉
Shirley
Debi says
I think this is a must for the retreat!
Shirley says
Sounds good to me, Debi! We might have to make some homemade dairy-free ice cream and find the healthiest root beer option. I’ve never made root beer, but I know that folks do. 🙂
Shirley
Heather @ Life, Gluten Free says
I don’t drink alcohol, but that looks tasty Shirley! 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Heather–A way belated reply, but thanks! 🙂
Shirley
Wendy says
I thought root beer (at least in the U.S.) had malt, which is not g-f. Are there any g-f root beer brands in the U.S.?
Shirley says
Hi Wendy–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 I don’t actually know of any root beer brands that are not gluten free in the U.S. However, I’m sure some exist so always check, but here’s a listing of sodas that includes brands that are gluten free. I’ll save the suspense and tell you that A&W, Mug, and Barq’s are three major brands that are gluten free. Hope that info is helpful!
Shirley
Wendy says
Thanks for the info – something I can add back in, guilt free! Now, to remind myself that this is a drink or dessert – not meant to replace dinner tomorrow night.
Wendy
Shirley says
Wendy–LOL on the latter. 😉 I get it! No gluten concerns as we discussed, but it is definitely not *safe* for me to have root beer in my house. It’s a treat on occasion only. Happy that you have something new that you can enjoy from time to time! 🙂
Shirley
Lynne L says
Hi Shirley…I’m still around after going through some health issues. This recipe looks awesome. Not usually a fan of floats except root beer ones. Never thought of adding rum…a must try!! Thanks!
Shirley says
Hi Lynne–So happy to see you, dear! Sorry about the health issues though. Hope they’re behind you or soon will be. I have to agree on floats; there’s just something about root beer floats, right? The addition of rum was a random stroke of genius, I have to say. Rum and root beer are a match made in heaven … well, when joined by ice cream. 😉
Shirley
Judee@gluten free A-Z Blog says
Shirley,
I do love rum, but I have to say I never thought about having in root beer.
I like your new twist on an old favorite