Root Beer Protein Float (Low Calorie Recipe)

This root beer protein float is the diner classic made higher in protein, with creamy Ninja Creami vanilla protein ice cream and fizzy diet root beer. 35g of protein and 241 calories in the whole glass.

A root beer float was my go-to order as a kid, and this protein version is the one I make now when I want that same fizzy, creamy hit.

A root beer protein float is a high-protein take on the classic, made by scooping Ninja Creami vanilla protein ice cream into a tall glass and pouring diet root beer over top. The Creami ice cream gives you the creamy, scoopable part with real protein, and the root beer brings the fizz and the foam. The whole glass comes in at 35g of protein and 241 calories.

It takes minutes to put together once your ice cream is spun, and it tastes like the soda fountain version with a fraction of the sugar.

If you want more low-calorie protein treats, try my Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream (the base for this float), Salted Caramel Protein Ice Cream, and Easy Chocolate Protein Pudding.

Why You’ll Love This Root Beer Protein Float

• It delivers a real protein hit in a glass that tastes like pure dessert, so it works both as a post-workout snack and a treat.
• It is genuinely fun to build and watch foam up, which makes it a great one to hand to kids or guests on a hot day.
• Keep a pint of the vanilla ice cream spun and ready, and you can pull a float together any time the craving hits.

Ingredients You Need For A Root Beer Protein Float

The exact measurements, nutrition info, and full recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

For the protein vanilla ice cream:

• Fairlife skim milk. Higher in protein than regular milk, which is part of how this float hits 35g. Any milk works, and whole milk makes it creamier.
• Unsweetened almond milk. Thins the base so it spins smooth. Any unsweetened milk works here.
• Vanilla protein powder. Most of the protein and the vanilla flavor. I use PEScience Gourmet Vanilla, and code BAILEY saves you money on all products.
• Instant vanilla pudding mix. Keeps the base creamy instead of icy.

For the float:

• Diet root beer. I use Diet A&W. It brings the classic root beer flavor and the fizz while keeping the calories down.
• Optional toppings. A dollop of whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, or a maraschino cherry on top.

Diet A&W root beer is gluten free, and so are the rest of the ingredients, which makes this float naturally gluten free.

How To Make A Root Beer Protein Float

Make the protein vanilla ice cream:

• Add the Fairlife milk, almond milk, protein powder, and pudding mix to your Ninja Creami pint, filling to the max line. Mix well with a handheld frother until smooth.
• Freeze the pint flat for 24 hours, until it is solid all the way through.
• Take the frozen pint out, run the bottom under hot water for about 60 seconds, and lock it into the machine, keeping the top level so you do not damage the blade.
• Run it on the Lite Ice Cream setting. If it looks powdery, add a splash of milk and hit Re-spin until creamy.

Build the float:

• Scoop a few big scoops of the vanilla protein ice cream into a tall glass.
• Slowly pour the diet root beer over the ice cream, letting it foam up.
• Add a straw and a spoon, and drink it while it is still fizzing.

Tips For The Best Float

• Chill your glass first. Ten minutes in the freezer keeps the float colder longer and gives you more foam.
• Pour the root beer slowly. It foams up fast over the ice cream, so a slow pour saves you a sticky overflow.
• Ice cream first, then soda. Scooping the ice cream in before the root beer gives you that classic foamy head instead of a flat pour.

Variations

• Different soda. Swap the root beer for diet cream soda, cherry, or orange soda for a whole new float.
• Chocolate float. Use chocolate protein ice cream with cola for a fizzy chocolate version.
• Extra creamy. Stir it together instead of leaving it layered for more of a milkshake texture.

More Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes

• Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream
• Snickers Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
• Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
• Ninja Creami Chocolate Ice Cream
• Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream
• Biscoff Protein Ice Cream
• Birthday Cake Ice Cream In The Ninja Creami
• Protein Monster Cookie Ninja Creami
• Berry Smoothie Bowl
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Ice Cream
• Peanut Butter Cup Protein Ice Cream

If you make this root beer protein float, leave a star rating and a comment below and tell me what soda you used. And if you share it, tag me @basicswithbails on Instagram or pin it to save for the next hot day. I love seeing your creations!