Ever enjoyed that magical combination of frothy root beer and a big dollop of vanilla ice cream? Then you owe a debt of gratitude to Frank J. Wisner, a creative entrepreneur who dreamed up the very first "Root Beer Float" on August 19, 1893 — what he considered the perfect sweet drink.
How It Happened
According to the tale, Frank J. Wisner ran a soda fountain at a mining camp in Colorado as part of his business, Cripple Creek Brewing. One day, while lost in thought about how to attract more customers, his gaze wandered to the distant, snow-capped Cow Mountain. Something clicked — the way that snow sat atop the peak reminded him of ice cream perched on a cold glass of soda.
That dreamy moment of inspiration was all it took. Wisner got to work, experimenting and taste testing until he had it just right. Before long, he was proudly promoting the "Root Beer Float" at his soda stand — a glass of ice-cold Cripple Creek root beer crowned with vanilla ice cream, inspired by that snowy mountain peak.
People couldn't get enough of it. The Root Beer Float became an immediate hit, drawing crowds to Wisner's soda stand eager to try a "Black Cow" — the playful nickname the float earned thanks to its origin story.
The Legacy
While some debate surrounds whether this account is entirely accurate, Frank J. Wisner remains widely credited as the person who invented the Root Beer Float. National Root Beer Float Day falls on August 6 each year, and many also pay tribute to its creator on August 19, 1893. So go ahead — pour yourself an ice-cold Root Beer Float, or "Black Cow," and toast to the legacy behind this beloved treat.