Root Beer floats are delicious on their own but root beer floats with alcohol are that much better! My version of a Spiked Root Beer Float features only 3 ingredients. It’s an adult Root Beer Float recipe you’re definitely going to want to try! 

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I really outdid myself last week for Thirsty Thursday. Not that I’m tooting my own horn or anything, but my Sand Bucket Cocktail has been going gangbusters on the Internet. Toot toot!

I can’t take credit for the actual concept of a bucket drink recipe, though. These types of drinks have been around for ages but most recently have been making a huge appearance over on TikTok. I knew I needed to make my own version of a beach bucket cocktail so I set out to do it. 

I was pleased with how successful it was. Yay for me!

Sometimes I get so overly excited about a drink or an idea I plan on sharing here on the blog that I can’t help but send my friends and family sneak peeks of what I have in the works. Knowing our friends Carol and Corey were on a family vacation, I took the liberty of sharing my Sand Bucket Cocktail with them before it hit the Internet. I knew it would be right up their alley!

When sending them the pictures of my bucket cocktail, I mistakenly sent them an ice cream emoji instead of the cute cocktail emoji to go along with the theme I was going with. Me and my fat fingers!

That simple slip of the wrong emoji got us into a discussion about making some sort of an adult float drink for an upcoming Thirsty Thursday edition. The idea was so intriguing to me that I jumped onto Pinterest immediately to scope out some ideas. Five minutes into my investigation, I was committed to following through with an adult version of a root beer float. 

Thank you, Carol and Corey! I appreciate your help in coming with a stellar cocktail recipe for Thirsty Thursday. You guys are truly the best.

Getting back to the cocktail…I am proud to announce that my boozy root beer float is so simple to make and uses only three ingredients. Like a traditional root beer float, you’ll find root beer and vanilla ice cream but there’s a special ingredient added that takes this float to a whole different level: Crown Royal Vanilla whiskey. Yes, you heard me right, vanilla-flavored whiskey!

I know what some of you might be thinking. “Whiskey! Are you kidding me, Tiffany?” No, this isn’t a joke, people. Please know that I am very aware that whiskey can be a little bit on the strong side. It’s personally not my normal choice of liquor when I’m enjoying a cocktail. I did, however, have a few good reasons for picking Crown Royal vanilla for this week’s cocktail.

Reasons why I decided to go with Crown:

• My husband is recently obsessed with bourbon, particularly old fashioned cocktails. Although he has been trying all my recent summer drink recipes, he prefers a drink with a little more kick. I’m being the good wife that I am and trying to pick a cocktail that is more his speed.
• Although Crown Royal is definitely stronger than a Malibu rum or Peach Schnapps, the vanilla variety packs a little less punch than the OG version. I felt it was a good compromise for me, and you too of course!
• I know there are many of my readers who have been waiting for a stronger cocktail concoction. It was only fair that I take a break from my more recent fruitier drinks to give them what they wanted.

But I can’t drink whiskey, Tiffany, even if it is a less abrasive vanilla variety. No worries, because I have you covered. You can easily swap out the Crown Royal for a vanilla-flavored vodka instead. You could also use a whipped vodka variety too! See, I always have your back…

With all that out of the way, let’s get to making an alcoholic root beer float!

Spiked Root Beer Float

*Note: Although it is not necessary, an ice-cold beer mug makes the perfect vessel for this adult root beer float. 

1 bottle or can of root beer, vanilla ice cream, 2 oz. – 3 oz. of Crown Royal vanilla whiskey (you can substitute vanilla or whipped vodka), cherries for garnish (optional)

Begin by scooping a couple of healthy servings of vanilla ice cream into your mug or glass. I used Neopolation ice cream so you might see a little strawberry and chocolate ice cream in my glass…no biggie!

Next, add 2 ounces of Crown Royal vanilla whiskey. Remember you can substitute vanilla or whipped vodka in place of the whiskey if you prefer. 

Carefully top off your float with your root beer being careful not to pour it to top. 

Give your root beer float a little sip and see how you feel about the amount of alcohol you added. If it’s too wimpy, add an additional ounce of alcohol. If you’re happy with the way it tastes, add a little more root beer to fill up your mug.

Add a maraschino cherry on top and your boozy root beer float is all done!

For someone who isn’t a huge fan of whiskey, I must admit this Spiked Root Beer Float was a delicious success. It’s the perfect summer cocktail for those who enjoy a little extra kick in their adult beverages. Cheers!

Tequila Thursday Cocktails

• Strawberry Margaritas on the Rocks
• Tequila Sunrise
• Chocolate and Cafe Tequila Pudding Shots
• Spicy Mango Margaritas

Thirsty Thursday

• Spiked Root Beer Float
• Sand Bucket Cocktail
• Cruzan Tropical Fruit Rum
• Easy Patriotic Mimosa Recipe
• Frozen Banana Daiquiri Recipe
• Banana Coconut Rum Punch
• 3 Ingredient Watermelon Vodka Slush
• Pineapple Sex on the Beach Drink Recipe
• 8 Low-Calorie Delicious Flavored Vodka Soda Ideas
• White Claw Wine Spritzer
• Fruity Fuzzy Navel
• Pineapple Paradise Mimosa plus Mocktail Recipe
• Blackberry Mojitos
• Strawberry Vodka Lemonade

Want to remember this? Post this Spiked Root Beer Float recipe to your favorite Pinterest board!