A Little History

Since the 16^th century, the first Europeans who settled in North America made sassafras-based beverages similar to the root beer we enjoy today, which is made from sassafras roots, bark and other ingredients (depending on the root beer recipe). But it wasn’t until the late 19^th century that root beer was considered a commercial drink. Charles Hires, the first person to market root beer successfully, hoped the drink would replace alcoholic beverages during the temperance movement, according to “Sundae Best: The History of the Soda Fountain” by Anne Cooper Funderburg. A devoted Quaker, Hires promoted his product, Hires Root Beer, on the claim that the drink had medicinal effects. In 1893 Hires got a spot at the World’s Fair in Chicago to share his root beer.  Credit to Chicago Eater

The creation of the root beer float came years after the first Chicago soda fountain, supposedly invented in 1893 by Colorado gold mine owner Frank J. Wisner.

We really don’t know how it happened but we do know we’re glad someone invented it!!!  We also love our black cow recipe.

Bottom line is soda floats are the easiest best dessert ever!  Simple and quick and no one is ever disappointed.  I think the root beer float is more American than Apple pie myself.  I have never had a bad day while drink a float!!

How to make River City Craft Soda Floats 

Ingredients

• River City Root Beer / River City Orange Cream
•  vanilla ice cream 

Instructions

1. Scoop 2-3 scoops ice cream into tall glasses or beer mugs and firmly press  down
2. fill glass with soda
3. use a straw and long spoon
4. enjoy!

root beer cake recipe

Find out in the what root beer makes the best float in a blind taste test.