Learn more fun facts on the National Black Cow Day Video Page.
- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- BeverageDrinkingIce Cream
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every June 10
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥤
National Black Cow Day celebrates the beloved root beer float every June 10, a perfect treat as summer temperatures rise. This refreshing concoction, also known as an ice cream soda, brings joy with its fizzy root beer and creamy vanilla ice cream. Gather your ingredients, share your favorite recipe, and toast to this delightful beverage.
Want to sponsor National Black Cow Day? Learn how
Expected National Black Cow Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Black Cow Day often inspires sweet deals. Expect chains like A&W Restaurants, known for their classic root beer, to offer discounted floats or special combos. Fast-food giants such as Sonic Drive-In and Dairy Queen may feature their own takes on the black cow, perhaps with unique ice cream flavors or toppings. Local ice cream parlors and diners, including beloved spots like Fentons Creamery, often run specials on their house-made root beer floats. Even grocery stores like Kroger or Walmart might highlight sales on root beer and ice cream ingredients, encouraging DIY celebrations at home. Look out for promotions from soda brands like Barq’s or Mug Root Beer. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 10 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Black Cow Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBlackCowDay. Share vibrant photos or reels of your perfect root beer float creations.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalBlackCowDay. Film a quick tutorial on making a black cow or a fun taste-test video.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBlackCowDay. Ask your community to share their favorite root beer float memories.
National Black Cow Day Hero
Frank J. Wisner
History of National Black Cow Day
A black cow is a beverage made with root beer and vanilla ice cream, which is relished by people of all age groups.
Frank J. Wisner, hailing from Cripple Creek, Colorado, invented the black cow. He was the owner of the Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company. One night he was thinking about the line of soda waters that were being produced for the citizens of Cripple Creek and that’s when he came upon the idea for the root beer float. While staring out of his window, he saw the full moon shining on the snow-capped Cow Mountain, which made him think of a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That encouraged him to add a spoonful of vanilla ice cream to the children’s soda Myers Avenue Red Root Beer. When he took his first sip of the drink, he knew he was onto something great. He named his creation ‘Black Cow Mountain,’ which was later shortened to ‘black cow’ by the local children.
Over the years, not only children, but even adults have started enjoying this simple yet delicious beverage. It is also offered by several fast food outlets. The black cow can be easily served at house parties or potluck lunches and dinners.
On National Black Cow Day, make this effortless drink and sip away. Anyway, summers are the best time to enjoy this cool drink to beat the sweltering heat.
National Black Cow Day timeline
Root beer or root tea is invented for medical purposes.
George Guy, an employee of Robert Green, is said to have absent-mindedly mixed ice cream and soda to invent ice cream soda.
Robert M. Green sells the first-ever ice cream soda at the semi-centennial celebration of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
Frank J. Wisner from Cripple Creek makes the first black cow with vanilla ice cream and childrens’ soda.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Black Cow Day
Local restaurants, diners, and ice cream shops can celebrate National Black Cow Day by offering special discounts on root beer floats or introducing limited-time “black cow” variations. Consider a “build-your-own float” bar with different root beer brands and ice cream flavors. Cafes could promote pairing a mini black cow with a sandwich or pastry. Even local breweries might offer a craft root beer for mixing. Promote these specials on social media using #NationalBlackCowDay to attract customers.
National Black Cow Day FAQs
When is National Black Cow Day?
National Black Cow Day 2026 is observed on Wednesday, June 10, making it a perfect mid-week treat to break up the routine.
Who invented the Black Cow?
The Black Cow, or root beer float, is widely credited to Frank J. Wisner, owner of Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company, who is said to have invented it in 1893. He was inspired by the snow-capped Cow Mountain’s appearance under a full moon.
How many root beer floats are consumed annually?
While exact annual consumption figures for root beer floats are hard to pinpoint, root beer itself is a significant segment of the soda market, with millions of gallons sold each year, suggesting widespread enjoyment of floats.
What is the difference between a Black Cow and a Brown Cow?
A Black Cow traditionally uses root beer and vanilla ice cream, creating a distinct contrast in color and flavor. A Brown Cow, on the other hand, typically substitutes chocolate ice cream for vanilla, resulting in a richer, all-chocolate profile.
How To Celebrate National Black Cow Day
Prepare your own black cow
Quench your thirst by preparing your own black cow. All you need is a soft drink of your choice and a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Put the scoop in a tall glass of soda, sit back, and enjoy while reading a book or watching a movie.
Order in a black cow
If you do not have the time and ingredients to make a black cow, you can order one from fast-food restaurants or even pick up one from a drive-through. To make the celebration even better, you can buy one for the person in the queue behind you and spread the love for the black cow.
Experiment with the black cow recipe
Bring out your inner Masterchef and experiment with the classic black cow recipe. You can switch up the soda and ice cream flavors and add your own twist to it.
5 Facts About Ice Cream Soda Everyone Should Know
Countless varieties
There are so many varieties of ice cream soda such as chocolate ice cream soda, butterbeer, orange float, purple cow, and Snow White, among others.
Known as ice cream float
It is also known as an ice cream float in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, and some parts of Asia.
Known as ‘Helado flotante’
The popular beverage is called ‘Helado flotante’ in Mexico.
Known as ‘vaca negra’
In El Salvador, Costa Rica, Columbia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Puerto Rico, this drink is known as ‘vaca negra,’ meaning ‘black cow.’
Known as a ‘spider’
A rather unusual name, it is fondly referred to as a ‘spider’ in Australia and New Zealand.
Why We Love National Black Cow Day
It is refreshing
Think of a hot summer day, relaxing in the outdoors, soaking in the sun. The only thing missing is some ice cream and a cold drink. What’s better than both these things combined, right? Voila, that’s when you get a black cow!
It is super easy to make
A black cow is one of the easiest beverages to make with as little as two ingredients. Of course, you can add more ingredients as per your taste and preferences. National Black Cow Day is the perfect opportunity to make one for yourself and your friends and family.
It’s a popular beverage
A black cow is an extremely popular beverage across the world. And it’s safe for children to consume. That’s what makes it so special. No one needs to feel left out when wanting to have a black cow.
Social Media Tips for National Black Cow Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands