These Guinness Floats are the grown-up twist on a root beer float you didn’t know you needed — bold, malty stout meets cold, creamy vanilla ice cream for a ridiculously simple and indulgent treat.

It’s fizzy, frothy, chocolatey, and dangerously easy to make. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, dessert with friends, or just turning beer into dessert in under 60 seconds.

Ingredients (per float)

• 1–2 scoops vanilla ice cream (or coffee, chocolate, or Irish cream flavor)
• 8–10 oz Guinness (or other dry Irish stout)
• Optional toppings:
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Crushed pretzels or cookie crumbles
  • A splash of Irish cream or bourbon

Beer Tip: Use Guinness Draught for classic creamy carbonation. You can also try a chocolate stout, coffee porter, or milk stout if you want to mix it up.

Instructions

Step 1: Scoop

Add 1–2 generous scoops of ice cream to a tall pint glass or float glass.

Step 2: Pour

Slowly pour the Guinness over the ice cream. It’ll foam up (delightfully), so go slow to avoid overflow.

Step 3: Top & Serve

Add whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or whatever toppings your beer-lovin’ heart desires.
Serve with a spoon and a straw. Enjoy immediately.

Flavor Variations

• 🍫 Mocha Float: Use coffee ice cream and a splash of espresso liqueur
• 🍦 Irish Cream Float: Add a shot of Bailey’s or other Irish cream to the glass
• 🥜 Peanut Butter Float: Use peanut butter ice cream + chocolate porter
• 🔥 Spicy Stout Float: Add a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon + dark chocolate sauce

Beer Pairing Ideas

• Classic:
  • Guinness Draught
  • Murphy’s Stout
  • O’Hara’s Irish Stout
• Creative:
  • Milk stout or cream stout (for extra sweetness)
  • Coffee porter (for mocha vibes)
  • Chocolate stout (rich & decadent)

Serve With:

• Guinness brownies
• Chocolate cake
• Buttered shortbread
• A side of cozy vibes and a cold spoon

Final Thoughts

Guinness Floats are fast, fun, and over-the-top in the best way. They bring out the malty chocolate notes in the beer, balance them with creamy sweetness, and leave you wondering why every pint doesn’t come with a scoop of vanilla.

Cheers to dessert in a glass, one float at a time! 🥤🍺🍦

🍺 Alternatives to Guinness

No Guinness? No problem. These stouts and porters bring similar depth — and sometimes even more character — to your kitchen.

While Guinness is the go-to for beer-based cooking, you’ve got plenty of bold, flavorful alternatives that work just as well — and in some cases, even better — depending on the dish. If you’re looking to experiment or just need a stand-in, here are three of the best:

1. Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout

Flavor profile: Roasty, sweet, velvety

Best used in:

• Brownies
• Chocolate layer cakes
• Dessert sauces
• Braised short ribs

This one’s a dessert powerhouse — the chocolate is prominent but balanced, and the mouthfeel adds richness to both sweet and savory dishes.

2. Murphy’s Irish Stout

Flavor profile: Smooth, creamy, with a softer roast than Guinness

Best used in:

• Irish stew
• Beer bread
• Onion gravy
• Cream-based sauces

It’s the closest stylistic match to Guinness — just lighter and slightly less bitter. A great pick for traditional Irish recipes or dishes where you don’t want the beer to dominate.

3. Founders Breakfast Stout

Flavor profile: Deep roast, coffee, dark chocolate

Best used in:

• Ice cream or affogato
• Tiramisu
• Chocolate cake batters
• Braised beef or short ribs

These are bolder than Guinness — darker, heavier, and more intense. Perfect when you want the beer to be felt in the flavor, not just as a background note.

Pro tip: If you’re using these in recipes that were designed for Guinness, reduce just a touch more to concentrate the flavor — these alternatives tend to bring slightly more body and richness to the pan or batter.

🍺 Explore More Guinness Recipes

From hearty mains and pub-style snacks to rich chocolate desserts and creamy floats — these Guinness-infused recipes show off the bold magic of stout in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or hosting a feast, there’s a Guinness recipe for it.

🥩 Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked, hearty, and loaded with stout flavor.
🍖 Guinness Braised Short Ribs – Fall-apart tender ribs with a deep Guinness reduction.
🐔 Guinness Chicken Pot Pie – Creamy filling, flaky crust, and a splash of stout.
🍞 Guinness Beer Bread – Quick, dense, and slightly sweet with a malty twist.
🍔 Guinness BBQ Burgers – Juicy patties with smoky Guinness-spiked BBQ sauce.
🧀 Guinness Mac & Cheese – Ultra-creamy cheddar sauce with a hint of stout.
🍫 Guinness Chocolate Cake – Deep, rich chocolate layered with malty undertones.
🧁 Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting – Mini cakes with a boozy frosting twist.
🍨 Guinness Floats – Creamy vanilla ice cream meets bold stout fizz.
🍮 Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée – Silky, dark custard with a crackly caramel top.
🥓 Guinness Glazed Bacon – Sweet, sticky, and irresistibly crispy.
🥧 Guinness Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food leveled up with a stout-simmered filling.
🔥 Guinness BBQ Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and perfect on just about anything grilled.
🍫 Guinness Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a dark, malty richness.
🥣 Guinness Beer Cheese Soup – Warm, cheesy, and full of Guinness depth.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.