Root beer float, ice cream soda, or brown cow—whatever you call it, a refreshing ice cream float hits the spot when you’re looking to cool down but aren’t willing to commit to an entire milkshake.
If you think of the root beer as more than just a conveyance for the ice cream, head to Pumpernickel in Ardsley (914-479-5370; pumpernickel restaurantardsley.com). The restaurant uses home-brewed root beer straight from the keg in its floats.
But if you’re really looking for the most unique ice cream floats in Westchester, head to Via Vanti, housed in Mount Kisco’s train station (914-666-6400; viavanti.com).
Drinks are made with the restaurant’s homemade gelato and sorbetto. Festa Limonata is its most popular float, and—made with homemade lemonade and raspberry-pomegranate sorbetto garnished with fresh raspberries and mint—it’s easy to see why. Or, if you like the citrus but aren’t in a lemonade mood, the Paparazzi infuses Orangina with passionberry sorbetto, fresh mint, and a whole strawberry to garnish the drink.
If you’re looking for a kick to your float, try one of the drinks that are punched up with a little caffeine. Midnight Espresso is Pepsi with espresso, gelato, and fresh whipped cream, and Caffe Cocomo will wake up your taste buds with iced coffee, coconut gelato, fresh whipped cream, and fresh mint.
They sure have come a long way from a scoop of vanilla and an A&W.
