Root Beer Float

• The root beer float may or may not have been the originator of the whole ice cream float system, but it is certainly a classic. The ingredients are basic -- root beer and vanilla ice cream. The reason it has remained a favorite for so many people over the years is the taste that develops when these two ingredients are combined. For added effect, try chilling the glass ahead of time, top it with some whipped cream and serve.

Cows and Coolers

• Various cows and coolers are common among the ice cream float crowd. Depending on your source, a brown cow might be root beer with chocolate ice cream or a traditional root beer float with a couple tablespoons of chocolate syrup in the bottom of the glass. Sometimes, cola is substituted for the root beer. A purple cow refers to vanilla ice cream with grape soda and a pink cow is vanilla ice cream with strawberry soda. A traditional Boston cooler contains ginger ale and vanilla ice cream.

Lighter Variations

• An ice cream float is quite rich and anything but a diet food. You can lighten the load a little by using sorbet instead of ice cream. Lemon sorbet with a lemon-lime soda and some frozen fruit makes a lower-calorie version of the real thing. Straight soda water is also an option if you want some of the creaminess and the bubbles, but less sugar than a genuine ice cream float.

All Grown Up

• Combining beer and ice cream may not even creep into the consciousness of most people, but it is a real grown-up treat with many variations. Finding just the right combination of beer and ice cream might take some doing, but vanilla, chocolate, coffee bean, mint and even butter pecan ice creams have created some memorable adult desserts when paired with the right beer. If you're not sure, a light lager and vanilla ice cream is a good start, or try matching the undertones of a particular beer with the taste profile of a certain ice cream and see where you end up.