RumChata Root Beer Float

This simple two-ingredient drink combines the cinnamon and vanilla creaminess of RumChata with the classic, bubbly spice of root beer. It's a delightful adult dessert cocktail that's both refreshing and indulgent. The result is a fizzy, creamy concoction reminiscent of childhood soda fountain treats, but with a grown-up boozy kick. It's incredibly easy to make and perfect for a sweet treat any time.
RumChata Root Beer Float

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is best categorized as a dessert cocktail due to its pronounced sweetness and creamy, indulgent character. It functions as a liquid dessert, combining a liqueur with a soft drink. It can also be considered a long drink or a highball, though its dessert-like qualities are its most defining feature.

Serving

Serve this drink cold in a chilled Highball or pint glass to maintain its refreshing quality. It's a fairly low-alcohol beverage, making it an easy-sipping dessert drink.
Serving size
~300-360 ml / 10-12 oz
Alcohol content
~5-7% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball or Pint Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This drink does not have a deep, historical backstory like classic cocktails. It emerged as a popular and simple way to enjoy RumChata shortly after the liqueur was launched in 2009. The combination was likely discovered through simple experimentation, leveraging the classic pairing of cream and root beer. It gained popularity through word-of-mouth and online sharing as an easy and delicious party drink.
Origin
United States, circa early 2010s. It is a modern creation that rose to popularity following the marketing and distribution of the RumChata brand liqueur.

RumChata Root Beer Float

The drink's name is straightforward, accurately describing its primary ingredients and character. Alternative names like "Adult Root Beer Float" simply highlight its alcoholic nature, distinguishing it from the classic non-alcoholic version. There are no historical or foreign names for this modern concoction.
Original name
RumChata Root Beer Float
Alternative names
  • Root Beer Float with RumChata
  • Adult Root Beer Float

Characteristics overview

This drink has a sweet and creamy flavor profile with strong notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and classic root beer spice. It presents with a delightful fizzy texture and a creamy, opaque brown appearance topped with a foamy head.
Flavor
Creamy, sweet, cinnamon, vanilla, root beer spice, sarsaparilla
Aroma
Vanilla, cinnamon, sweet cream, root beer
Taste balance
Sweet
Aftertaste
Sweet, creamy, lingering cinnamon spice
Fizziness
Bubbly, foamy head
Color appearance
Opaque, creamy brown, thick tan head
Texture
Creamy, fizzy, smooth
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, year-round treat

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a very sweet and creamy drink with noticeable spice notes from cinnamon and root beer. It is low in alcohol and moderately carbonated, making it very approachable.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires only two core ingredients: RumChata liqueur and root beer. Optional garnishes like whipped cream and ground cinnamon can be added to enhance its dessert quality.
  • RumChata Liqueur60 ml / 2 oz
    A cream liqueur made with Caribbean rum, cinnamon, and vanilla. Should be chilled before use.
  • Root Beer180 ml / 6 oz, or to top
    Use a good quality, well-chilled root beer for the best flavor and fizz.
  • Whipped Cream1 dollop(optional)
    Adds to the dessert-like quality of the drink.
  • Ground Cinnamon1 pinch(optional)
    Enhances the cinnamon notes from the RumChata.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

No special bar tools are needed to make this drink. It is built directly in the serving glass.
  • None

Instructions

To make this drink, simply pour chilled RumChata into a chilled glass and slowly top with root beer to control the foam. Garnish as desired and serve immediately for the best experience.
1. Chill a Highball or pint glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
2. Pour the chilled RumChata into the bottom of the glass.
3. Slowly pour the chilled root beer over the RumChata, tilting the glass to help manage the foam that will form.
4. Let the foam settle, then top with more root beer if needed to fill the glass.
5. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.
6. Serve immediately with a straw.

Garnishing

A dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon are popular garnishes that enhance the drink's creamy texture and aromatic spice.
  • Whipped cream, a dollop on top of the foam.
  • Ground cinnamon, a light dusting over the whipped cream or foam.

Dietary Information

This drink contains dairy from the RumChata and may contain soy, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with dairy allergies. It is, however, gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, and caffeine-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✕ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a high-calorie dessert drink, rich in carbohydrates and sugar primarily from the cream liqueur and the sweetened root beer soda.
Calories
averagely 300-350 kcal / 1255-1464 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
averagely 35-45 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
averagely 35-45 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfectly suited as a liquid dessert to cap off a meal. It is also an excellent choice for casual social gatherings, backyard barbecues, or as a fun, sweet treat for a relaxed evening.
  • Dessert
  • Casual Gatherings
  • Summer Parties
  • Movie Night

Pairing suggestions

This drink is best served as a standalone liquid dessert after a meal. If pairing is desired, consider simple cookies that complement its cinnamon notes, like snickerdoodles. Alternatively, salty snacks such as pretzels provide a pleasant contrast to its sweetness.
  • Enjoyed on its own as a dessert
  • Simple cookies like snickerdoodles or shortbread
  • Salty snacks like pretzels or popcorn

The Adult Soda Fountain: A Guide to the RumChata Root Beer Float

The RumChata Root Beer Float is a simple, modern dessert cocktail that brilliantly captures the nostalgic flavor of a classic soda fountain treat with an adult twist. Combining the creamy, cinnamon-spiced RumChata liqueur with bubbly root beer creates a delightfully sweet and fizzy concoction. It's incredibly easy to prepare, requiring just two ingredients poured directly into a glass. Perfect for a sweet indulgence, a casual party, or a unique dessert alternative.

You May Also Like

Rum Barrel

A complex and potent classic Tiki cocktail featuring a blend of multiple rums, fruit juices, and spices, traditionally served in a barrel-shaped mug.

Chilcano

A supremely refreshing and simple Peruvian highball made with pisco, lime juice, ginger ale, and bitters.

Eggnog

A rich, creamy, and spiced holiday beverage made with milk, cream, sugar, and eggs, fortified with spirits like brandy, rum, or whiskey.

Rusty Nail

A simple, sophisticated, and warming sipper made with Scotch whisky and the honeyed herbal liqueur, Drambuie.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Milano-Torino

A simple and elegant two-ingredient Italian aperitif that perfectly balances bitterness and sweetness.

Brandy Buck

A refreshing and spicy highball cocktail made with brandy, lime juice, and ginger ale or ginger beer.

Smith & Kearns

A simple and creamy coffee liqueur highball topped with the surprising fizz of club soda.

Roffignac Cocktail

A historic and refreshingly tart highball from New Orleans featuring cognac, raspberry syrup, and soda water.