© iStockphoto/Thinkstock Whoever figured out that a scoop of ice cream was meant to float in a glass of fizzy soda did his fellow man a good turn. To make any of the versions here, first scoop the ice cream into the bottom of a tall soda glass, then slowly pour the well-chilled soda down the side. The scoop of ice cream will rise like a boat on the tide, and a certain reaction between the carbonation and ice cream will cause a dome of big creamy bubbles to rise over the top of the glass. There are many regional variations, but here are some of the classics.
Root Beer Float
1 bottle (12 ounces) root beer and 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
Brown Cow
1 bottle (12 ounces) root beer and 1 scoop of chocolate ice cream
Coke Float
1 bottle (12 ounces) cola and 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
Purple Cow
1 bottle (12 ounces) grape soda and 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Sherbet Float
1 bottle (12 ounces) ginger ale and 1 scoop orange sherbet
