National Root Beer Float Day

National Root Beer Float Day, observed on August 6, celebrates one of summer’s most nostalgic treats: creamy vanilla ice cream fizzing gently in a chilled glass of root beer. The combination of rich, smooth ice cream and sweet, bubbly soda makes this simple dessert a favorite for people of all ages.

Mark the occasion by making a classic root beer float at home, experimenting with different ice cream flavors, or sharing one with family and friends. Whether enjoyed as an afternoon refreshment or an after-dinner treat, August 6 is a delicious opportunity to savor this timeless American favorite.

National Root Beer Float Day is observed annually on **August 6**. The observance celebrates the root beer float—a dessert made by combining root beer with vanilla ice cream—while also highlighting the long history of root beer as a popular American soft drink. Although the exact origin of the float is debated, one frequently cited account credits Frank J. Wisner, a Colorado saloon owner, with creating a similar drink in 1893 after imagining a scoop of ice cream floating in root beer. He reportedly called the beverage a “Black Cow,” a name that is still used in some regions.

The drink became more widely associated with American restaurants, soda fountains, and drive-ins during the twentieth century. Its appeal came from the contrast between cold, carbonated root beer and sweet, creamy ice cream, as well as from the theatrical experience of watching the foam rise in the glass. Root beer floats were especially suited to the growth of family restaurants and roadside establishments, where inexpensive fountain treats became part of everyday leisure and dining culture.

The modern observance of National Root Beer Float Day is closely associated with A&W Restaurants, a chain historically known for serving root beer. In contemporary promotions, A&W has used August 6 to offer root beer floats and to support charitable fundraising, helping turn a nostalgic menu item into a recurring public event. The date is also included in compilations of food-related observances, although published accounts provide limited evidence of a single, universally recognized founder or formal proclamation establishing the day.

Culturally, National Root Beer Float Day reflects the continuing popularity of retro American food traditions. It connects an old-fashioned soda-fountain beverage with charitable promotions, family activities, and social-media participation. More broadly, the observance demonstrates how brands and communities preserve culinary memories by assigning a dedicated day to a familiar treat, while keeping the central tradition—the simple combination of root beer and ice cream—at the heart of the celebration.