Review: Hard Root Beer Float at Epcot's Fife & Drum Tavern

As the temperatures are rising in Central Florida, there have already been a few warm afternoons this year when a Root Beer Float seems like it would be just the thing to hit the spot.

Learn About:Fife and Drum Tavern

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

If you feel the same way about this classic concoction, then you’re in luck, because you’ll find them around every Disney World park in spots like Magic Kingdom’s Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies, Animal Kingdom’s Trilo-Bites, and KRNR: The Rock Station in Hollywood Studios.

In several locations, you can substitute your preferred soda based on available flavors. For instance, I know plenty of people who like to go for a Coke Float, but I’ve always preferred Root Beer myself.

But while it’s true that we always think of this treat as being for kids, the Fife & Drum Tavern in Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion is offering a Float made ONLY for grown-ups: the Hard Root Beer Float.

Fife and Drum Tavern

It’s a classic root beer float featuring Not Your Father’s Hard Root Beer.

Fife & Drum Menu

We’ve noticed this beverage has been gaining some popularity lately; it’s also available for purchase at the Fife & Drum’s nearby neighbor, Block & Hans.

Bottled Beers Available at Block & Hans

And don’t worry; non-alcoholic Floats are still available if you want to play match-your-snacks with the kiddos ;). They would almost be none the wiser, except for the fact that the adult version does indeed look a teeny bit different from the typical Root Beer Float with its slightly more “grown-up” presentation in a stemmed cup.

Hard Root Beer Float

Along with a pour of the hard root beer, you get — as always — a nice serving of vanilla soft serve. While it looked absolutely delicious with the bubbling foam on top, I thought the portion was on the small side. That, of course, has something to do with the stem (a typical float is in a regular tall glass, wide from top-to-bottom).

Vanilla Soft-Serve

Still, this is a great drink for those who want to enjoy something sweet that still offers a little kick without an intense alcohol flavor. I’ve tried the beverage on its own from the bottle, but mixed with ice cream the mild beer taste really does tend to “float” away 😉 , with the ice cream serving to emphasize the sweetness. The end result is that it tastes just like an old-fashioned Root Beer Float!

Hard Root Beer Float Close-up

Now, here’s something to consider: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort recently released a similar version of this drink from their new Adult Drinks Menu. And all truths told, I prefer the one at Beaches & Cream. It’s made with Coney Island Hard Root Beer, which I like a bit better than Not Your Father’s, plus it’s made with hard packed ice cream instead of soft-serve, which is more reminiscent of the floats I had as a kid.

Still, I really did enjoy the one at Fife & Drum as well. I mean, a Root Beer Float is one of those classic items that I’ll never get too old for. And it’s nice to know that the sentiment is recognized with this childhood classic made in an adults-only version at Fife & Drum Tavern.

By the way, just after our recent visit we heard tell that a second version of this treat may be on the way to Fife & Drum; one made with Henry’s Hard Orange Soda. Sooo… grown-up creamsicles, anyone 😉 ? You just might see me there!

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Will you be indulging in a Hard Root Beer Float? Please let us know in the comments below!