Some foods from childhood should never be messed with. Mac & cheese, PB&J sandwiches and the culinary masterpiece that is Dunkaroos. Select treats, however, can improve as we age, like the root beer float. Forget the warm, flat can of A&W and drippy, drab pseudo-vanilla ice cream from third grade birthday parties. Instead, quality vanilla bean ice cream and a full-bodied stout with notes of coffee and chocolate combine to create a delicious, creamy drink that does double duty as a drunken dessert.

Adult Root Beer Float

  • Prep Time:3 minutes
  • Cook Time:0 minutes
  • Total Time:3 minutes
  • Servings:1 generous serving or 2 modest ones
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 pint vanilla bean ice cream, such as Häagen-Dazs
  • 1 cup bottle good quality stout beer (such as New Holland Brewing Dragon’s Milk)
Photo by Amanda Gajdosik
  • Step 1

    Place one or two scoops of ice cream in a large glass (or two glasses, if sharing).

    Photo by Amanda Gajdosik
  • Step 2

    Pour stout over top and serve.

    Photo by Amanda Gajdosik
  • Step 3

    Repeat as necessary.