Imagine your favorite childhood root beer float—with an adult twist. This Creamy Root Beer Rum Cocktail Recipe is the ultimate creamy-meets-spicy drink that combines spiced rum, smooth vanilla creamer, and fizzy root beer in one dreamy glass. It’s rich, nostalgic, and ridiculously easy to whip up in minutes.
Perfect for cozy nights, game days, or as a fun dessert cocktail, this drink balances warm spices from the rum with sweet, creamy soda-shop flavor. Topped with whipped cream and a cherry? It becomes a grown-up float you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
-
2 oz spiced rum
-
¼ cup vanilla creamer (or substitute half & half)
-
½ cup root beer
-
Ice
-
Optional: whipped cream + maraschino cherry for garnish
Optional Add-ins:
-
1 scoop vanilla ice cream (for a true float feel)
-
Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg (for a spiced finish)
-
½ oz vanilla vodka (for extra kick)
-
Crushed root beer candies on the rim
Preparation
Chill your glass and prep ingredients
Step 1: Get the glass ready
Chill a short cocktail glass or mason jar in the freezer for 5–10 minutes. This helps keep the creamy cocktail nice and cold.
Step 2: Add ice
Fill the chilled glass with ice—about halfway for a smooth mix that won’t get watered down too quickly.
Build the cocktail
Step 3: Pour in the rum and creamer
Add 2 oz spiced rum and ¼ cup vanilla creamer (or half & half) to the glass. Stir gently to combine and smooth out the mixture.
Step 4: Add the root beer
Slowly pour in ½ cup of chilled root beer. Stir once more, very gently, to keep the bubbles intact while blending the flavors.
Garnish and serve
Step 5: Top it off
Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, if desired. Serve with a straw or long spoon and sip immediately.
Variation
Customize your Creamy Root Beer Rum Cocktail to match your vibe:
-
Boozy Root Beer Float: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and reduce the creamer for dessert-in-a-glass.
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Iced Latte Vibe: Swap vanilla creamer with sweet cream cold foam or almond milk.
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Holiday Twist: Add a dash of cinnamon, clove, or pumpkin spice for seasonal flavor.
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Root Beer Mudslide: Add a splash of coffee liqueur for a deeper, dessertier experience.
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Mocktail Version: Use root beer and vanilla creamer only, no alcohol—still fun and delicious!
COOKING Note
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Vanilla creamer adds that dreamy, float-like sweetness. You can use flavored creamers (like caramel or hazelnut) for fun twists.
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Spiced rum gives depth and warmth—choose your favorite brand. Captain Morgan or Kraken both work beautifully.
-
Pour the root beer slowly to avoid overflowing foam.
-
Serve right away so the fizz and cream texture are at their best.
-
Avoid shaking this drink—it will flatten the soda and can curdle the cream.
Tips
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Use clear ice for a classy presentation, or crushed ice for a frosty, float-style drink.
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Rim the glass in vanilla sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
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Want it extra creamy? Use sweetened condensed milk instead of creamer.
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Serve in a frosted mug with striped straws for a nostalgic soda-shop aesthetic.
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For a party: mix the rum and cream in a pitcher, and top each glass with root beer when serving.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Nutritional Information (per serving)
-
Calories: 260
-
Protein: 1g
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Fat: 6g
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Carbohydrates: 22g
-
Sugar: 19g
-
Sodium: 40mg
Note: Values may vary based on brands of creamer and root beer used.
FAQs
Can I make this drink ahead of time?
Not really—it’s best served fresh. You can pre-mix the rum and creamer, but add root beer just before serving.
Will the cream curdle with soda?
If stirred gently and served cold, it blends well. Avoid citrus or acidic mixers.
Can I use diet root beer?
Yes! It reduces sugar, though it may slightly change the flavor balance.
What type of rum works best?
Spiced rum adds warmth and flavor, but vanilla or coconut rum also work great for sweeter variations.
Is it more like a dessert or cocktail?
Both! It’s rich enough to stand in for dessert, but light enough to enjoy as a pre-dinner drink.
Conclusion
This Creamy Root Beer Rum Cocktail Recipe is sweet, nostalgic, and packed with cozy flavor. It’s easy to make, fun to serve, and perfect for evenings when you want something indulgent but low-effort. With the rich combo of cream, spice, and soda-shop fizz, it’s basically a boozy float for grown-ups—and one sip is all it takes to fall in love. Whether you’re celebrating, relaxing, or just looking for something a little different, this cocktail brings a creamy twist to your classic root beer fix.
Print
Creamy Root Beer Rum Cocktail Recipe
- Total Time: 5 min
Ingredients
Ingredients
-
2 oz spiced rum
-
¼ cup vanilla creamer (or substitute half & half)
-
½ cup root beer
-
Ice
-
Optional: whipped cream + maraschino cherry for garnish
Optional Add-ins:
-
1 scoop vanilla ice cream (for a true float feel)
-
Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg (for a spiced finish)
-
½ oz vanilla vodka (for extra kick)
-
Crushed root beer candies on the rim
Instructions
Step 1: Get the glass ready
Chill a short cocktail glass or mason jar in the freezer for 5–10 minutes. This helps keep the creamy cocktail nice and cold.
Step 2: Add ice
Fill the chilled glass with ice—about halfway for a smooth mix that won’t get watered down too quickly.
Step 3: Pour in the rum and creamer
Add 2 oz spiced rum and ¼ cup vanilla creamer (or half & half) to the glass. Stir gently to combine and smooth out the mixture.
Step 4: Add the root beer
Slowly pour in ½ cup of chilled root beer. Stir once more, very gently, to keep the bubbles intact while blending the flavors.
Step 5: Top it off
Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, if desired. Serve with a straw or long spoon and sip immediately.
Notes
-
Vanilla creamer adds that dreamy, float-like sweetness. You can use flavored creamers (like caramel or hazelnut) for fun twists.
-
Spiced rum gives depth and warmth—choose your favorite brand. Captain Morgan or Kraken both work beautifully.
-
Pour the root beer slowly to avoid overflowing foam.
-
Serve right away so the fizz and cream texture are at their best.
-
Avoid shaking this drink—it will flatten the soda and can curdle the cream.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
Nutrition
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 1g