June 20 is National Ice Cream Soda Day! Ice cream sodas were invented by Robert Green in 1874 during Philadelphia’s sesquicentennial celebration. Legend has it that Mr. Green added vanilla ice cream to the soda he sold after he ran out of ice (though Mr. Green claims he had dreamt up the innovation prior to the event).Intentional or not, it was a delicious way to keep the sodas cold, and they were an instant hit. Green was so proud of his creation that he even had the phrase “Originator of the Ice Cream Soda” engraved on his tombstone!
How to celebrate Ice Cream Soda Day:
- Find a restaurant to enjoy an ice cream soda, such as a root beer float.
- Make your own ice cream soda – just add a few scoops of ice cream in any carbonated beverage (see below for recipe ideas).
- Have a summer party with an ice cream soda theme!
Ice Cream Float Recipes
How To Make:
- Spoon ice cream into glass.
- Slowly pour soda into glass over ice cream.
- Place one scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
- Add syrup, if desired.
American Dream: vanilla ice cream, blue soda, and strawberry syrup
Creamsicles: vanilla ice cream, cream soda, and orange juice
Root Beer Float / Brown Cow: vanilla ice cream, root beer
Snow White: vanilla ice cream, 7-up or sprite
Sherbet Float: ginger ale, sherbet
Butterbeer Float: vanilla ice cream, 7-up or sprite, butterscotch syrup
Purple Cow: vanilla ice cream, grape juice
Ice Cream Soda Themed Party
Invite the neighborhood over for a backyard party of games and ice cream soda. To prepare the ice cream soda, pre-scoop ice cream into clear cups and put in freezer until party time. When you are ready to serve the ice-cream sodas, no one will have to wait for their ice cream to be scooped! You can let kids help themselves with supplies, or let them choose a combination and have adults monitor the soda and toppings!
