National Ice Cream Soda Day – Jun. 20, 2027

National Ice Cream Soda Day
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BeverageIce CreamSweet Food
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every June 20
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National Ice Cream Soda Day bubbles up every June 20, inviting everyone to indulge in the delightful fusion of ice cream and soda. This iconic treat, with over a century of history, offers endless flavor combinations. Mix up your favorite, share a photo, or visit a local soda shop to celebrate!

Want to sponsor National Ice Cream Soda Day? Learn how

Expected National Ice Cream Soda Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that National Ice Cream Soda Day often brings sweet deals from major beverage and dessert brands. Expect Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to highlight their classic sodas, perfect for mixing. Fast-food chains like Dairy Queen and Sonic Drive-In might offer discounted floats or special limited-time flavors. Independent ice cream parlors and diners nationwide will likely feature unique soda creations, encouraging local patronage. Look for grocery stores like Kroger or Walmart to run sales on ice cream and soda ingredients, making it easy to create your own at home. Premium ice cream brands such as Ben & Jerry’s or Häagen-Dazs could also inspire gourmet pairings. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 20 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Ice Cream Soda Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #IceCreamSodaDay. Film a creative recipe or a taste test of unique soda and ice cream combinations.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #IceCreamSodaDay. Share visually appealing photos of your homemade ice cream sodas or your favorite local spot’s creations.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #IceCreamSodaDay. Ask your followers for their all-time favorite ice cream soda flavor combination.

Social Media Tips for National Ice Cream Soda Day

Individuals

Experiment with different soda and ice cream flavors at home. Try a classic root beer float, or get adventurous with ginger ale and raspberry sorbet. Share your favorite concoction with friends and family.

Creators

Develop a series of short videos showcasing 'gourmet' ice cream soda recipes using unexpected ingredients or elaborate garnishes. Challenge your audience to recreate your creations or invent their own.

Brands

Restaurants and ice cream shops can introduce limited-time ice cream soda specials or run a 'build-your-own float' contest. Beverage brands can partner with ice cream companies for co-promotional campaigns.

Top Brands for National Ice Cream Soda Day

  1. Coca-Cola

    Founded in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, The Coca-Cola Company is a global beverage giant. Its iconic Coca-Cola Classic is a staple in many ice cream soda recipes, particularly the beloved Coke float.

  2. A&W Root Beer

    Established in 1919, A&W Root Beer is synonymous with the classic root beer float. The brand began with a roadside stand in Lodi, California, and quickly grew into a popular drive-in restaurant chain known for its frosty mugs.

  3. Ben & Jerry's

    Founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry's is known for its super-premium ice cream with unique flavors and chunky mix-ins. Their rich ice creams are perfect for luxurious soda floats.

  4. PepsiCo

    PepsiCo, founded in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, is a leading global food and beverage company. Its diverse portfolio of soft drinks, including Pepsi and Mountain Dew, provides many options for creative ice cream sodas.

  5. Dairy Queen

    Dairy Queen, established in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, is a beloved fast-food and soft-serve ice cream chain. They are well-known for their popular soft-serve floats, making them a go-to spot for ice cream soda enthusiasts.

  6. Dr Pepper

    Dr Pepper, first served in 1885 in Waco, Texas, is one of America's oldest soft drink brands. Its unique blend of 23 flavors offers a distinct and delicious base for an ice cream soda, providing a twist on traditional options.

  7. Häagen-Dazs

    Founded in 1960 in the Bronx, New York, by Reuben and Rose Mattus, Häagen-Dazs is renowned for its high-quality, dense, and creamy ice cream. Their premium vanilla or coffee ice cream can elevate any ice cream soda into a gourmet dessert.

National Ice Cream Soda Day Hero

Robert McCay Green

Robert McCay Green is widely credited with inventing the ice cream soda in Philadelphia in 1874. During a hot day at the Franklin Institute's semicentennial exhibition, his soda fountain ran out of ice, prompting him to substitute vanilla ice cream in his sweet cream sodas. The improvised drink was an instant hit, saving his business and sparking a national craze for the refreshing treat.

History of National Ice Cream Soda Day

As with most inventions, ice cream soda was created unintentionally by the coming together of ice cream and soda. It is believed that Robert Green was trying to prepare chilled soda at a Philadelphia fair but had run out of ice shavings. He came up with the idea of adding ice cream to the soda to cool it. Thus, the ice cream soda was born.

Now, there are many different stories about the invention of ice cream soda. Even though Robert Green loudly claimed to be the inventor of the ice cream soda — and even had it inscribed on his tombstone — another legend goes that it was Fred Sanders who invented the delicious summer drink. Sanders ran a confection shop and added ice cream to soda when he could not find sweet cream.

More people continued to claim credit for the invention of the ice cream soda, especially because it was marketed so well and hugely popular. George Guy and Philip Mohr are two well-known claimants to the title of inventor of ice cream soda.

National Ice Cream Soda Day timeline

1810
Soda Water is Invented

Soda water becomes mass-produced by Simmons and Rundell.

1874
An Accidental Invention

Robert Green creates the first ice cream soda at the Franklin Exhibition in Philadelphia.

1903
Front-Serving Soda Fountains

Soda shops start using front-serving soda fountains.

1920
Robert Green Dies

Robert Green mentions in his will to be recognized as the ‘Originator of the Ice Cream Soda’ on his tombstone.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Ice Cream Soda Day

Local diners, ice cream parlors, and cafes can celebrate National Ice Cream Soda Day by offering special ‘build-your-own’ float menus, allowing customers to choose their soda and ice cream flavors. Consider a ‘throwback’ pricing deal for classic root beer or Coke floats to attract nostalgic patrons. Promote your unique creations on social media with enticing photos and encourage customers to share their favorites, tagging your business for a chance to win a free soda float on their next visit.

National Ice Cream Soda Day FAQs

When is National Ice Cream Soda Day?

In 2027, National Ice Cream Soda Day is observed on Sunday, June 20. This annual celebration invites everyone to craft their favorite fizzy, creamy concoction, making it a relaxed Sunday indulgence.

What are the most popular ice cream soda flavors?

While vanilla ice cream is the traditional base, popular soda choices include root beer, cola, orange, and cherry. Increasingly, people are experimenting with unique combinations like ginger ale with lemon sorbet or sparkling water with fruit-flavored ice creams.

Who invented the ice cream soda?

Robert McCay Green, a Philadelphia soda fountain owner, is credited with the serendipitous invention of the ice cream soda. His quick thinking during a heatwave, substituting ice cream for ice, led to the creation of one of America’s most beloved dessert beverages.

What is the difference between an ice cream soda and a float?

While many use ‘ice cream soda’ and ‘float’ synonymously, a traditional ice cream soda often included a flavored syrup mixed with soda water before adding ice cream. A float, by contrast, generally refers to just a scoop of ice cream dropped into a carbonated beverage, such as a root beer float.

How to Celebrate National Ice Cream Soda Day

  1. Try a new flavor

    Even if you are a regular lover of ice cream sodas, chances are you have tried only a few flavors of this amazing drink. A great way to celebrate National Ice Cream Soda Day is to visit the nearest ice cream parlor or soda shop and try a flavor you have never tasted before. Even better, why not ask the server to whip up something special for you. This would create an unforgettable memory for you as you would always remember this little summer adventure.

  2. Visit a new soda shop opening

    Soda shops are opening all the time, but most people choose to stick to their preferred shops. Why not visit a new shop and give them your support? You could also turn this into a road trip with friends to search for an unexplored ice cream soda shop. You could even blog about it and add some photographs on your social media page.

  3. Create an ice cream soda shop map

    A fun thing to do is to create a map of your city or state marking all the ice cream soda shops in the area. You can also add some interesting details such as their opening hours, a bit of history, the flavors that they offer, and so on. This is a great activity that will provide hours of fun and also increase your knowledge about your area.

5 Facts About Frozen Desserts That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. The original Baskin Robbins flavors

    When Baskin Robbins was introduced, they offered 31 flavors — one for each day of the month.

  2. The most popular frozen dessert in Germany

    The ‘brezel,’ a type of frozen pretzel, is the most popular frozen dessert in Germany.

  3. The oldest frozen dessert

    Sorbet is known as the earliest type of frozen dessert, which was made around 5,000 years ago by mixing ice with fruit.

  4. The origins of gelato

    Gelato was invented by an Italian architect in the 14th century.

  5. The first ice cream advertisement

    The first advertisement for ice cream appeared on 12 May 1777.

Why We Love National Ice Cream Soda Day

  1. It is an opportunity to relax

    Summers can be very stressful due to the high temperatures and humidity. Having a cool and refreshing ice cream soda is a great way to relax and keep your body cool and stress-free. It is also a good way to socialize with friends and treat them to something sweet.

  2. It helps to support local businesses

    Soda shops are generally on the decline since a lot of people believe that ice cream sodas are unhealthy, when in fact they can be quite harmless in moderation. Visiting your local soda shop on National Ice Cream Soda Day creates valuable business for these shops and helps them stay profitable.

  3. It supports creativity and inventiveness

    Learning about how ice cream soda was invented is such an inspiring story about being creative and inventive. It teaches us that we should find an opportunity in every crisis instead of giving up hope and admitting failure. National Ice Cream Soda day is also a time to recognize the achievements of American entrepreneurs and experiment with some ideas of our own.

National Ice Cream Soda Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 June 20 Sunday
2028 June 20 Tuesday
2029 June 20 Wednesday
2030 June 20 Thursday
2031 June 20 Friday