This Root Beer Freeze uses just two ingredients and takes under two minutes to make. It tastes like a root beer float but is blended into a smooth, drinkable shake.
Looking for other frozen drinks? Try Frosted Lemonade, Orange Julius, or a Virgin Pina Colada.
Why you’ll love this Root Beer Freeze
If you love root beer floats but struggle to get the right ratio of soda to ice cream in every bite, this Root Beer Freeze is the perfect solution. It blends ice cream and root beer into a creamy, fizzy shake so every sip delivers both flavors evenly.
What is a root beer freeze? It’s essentially a milkshake made with vanilla ice cream and root beer instead of milk. The result is thick, cold, and slightly bubbly — enjoyable with a straw or a spoon.
Root beer float vs. root beer freeze
The main difference is mixing. A float layers ice cream and soda without blending; a freeze mixes them into a uniform, milkshake-like texture.
- For a soda float: spoon ice cream into a glass, then pour soda over it. Tip: pour soda first, then add ice cream to reduce foaming.
- For a soda freeze: place ice cream and chilled soda in a blender and blend until smooth. Tip: start blending with less soda for a thicker shake, then add more for extra fizz and foam.
Use any soda you prefer: vanilla ice cream works well with many sodas — orange, grape, cola, and of course root beer. This recipe sticks with the classic root beer flavor, but feel free to experiment.
Ingredients
This copycat version of the classic root beer freeze is simple — just two ingredients. If you’ve enjoyed a freeze from A&W, Sonic, or Culver’s, you’ll recognize the taste.
- Root beer soda (chilled)
- Vanilla ice cream
A&W is used here but any brand will work. Keep both ingredients on hand for a quick, crowd-pleasing treat.
Recipe tips
- Use cold root beer: chilled soda helps keep the shake thick and preserves some carbonation.
- Serve in a chilled glass: this helps the freeze stay colder longer.
- Blend slowly: start on low to avoid over-thinning the mixture and to keep a pleasant texture.
More root beer ideas
- Root Beer Cake
- Root Beer Cookies
- Pulled Pork with Root Beer
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and review in the comments. Thanks!
Root Beer Freeze
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Ingredients
- 2 cups (267 g) vanilla ice cream
- 12 oz (355 ml) root beer, chilled
Equipment
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Ice cream scoop
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Blender
Instructions
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Place the vanilla ice cream and chilled root beer into a blender.
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Blend on low until smooth. If you want more fizz, blend until smooth and then stir in extra root beer by hand.
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Serve immediately in chilled glasses.
Notes
- Start with just enough root beer to blend smooth, then add more if you prefer a fizzier shake.
- If the drink is too thin, add more ice cream.
- If it’s too thick, add a little more soda.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates provided for reference only.
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*Originally published 6/27/2013. Post updated July 2023.
