Michigan Float (aka Boston Cooler)
August. How did you get here? I see so many of you have kids who are already back to school and here I counting down the days until kiddo goes back; which isn’t until Sept!
Summer has been oddly hot here in Michigan so I am actually ready for the cool breeze that is blowing through my windows right now. That means I don’t have to run the air conditioner. That means, I can breathe.
It’s still plenty warm for me to enjoy an ice cream treat. Truth-be-told, I enjoy ice cream year round, even in the dead of Michigan winter.
Yes, it’s true.
Sometimes I think my ice cream habit is worse than my cheese habit.
So, I know root beer floats have been around for like a zillion years and are a staple in the American diet it seems, but I have something a bit different to share with you guys.
Funny thing, from what I understand this is called a Boston Cooler. When you order a Boston Cooler at the local burger joint, this is what you get. However, I am not sure what is so Boston about it, perhaps the use of ginger ale? (My Boston pals, I’m calling on you for help here.)
Edit: Thanks to Wiki, I found the answer!
Here in Michigan we use a Michigan made ginger ale called Vernor’s. I have a mad obsession with this stuff going all the way back to childhood. When we lived in OK, my grandmother would send down care packages, complete with a 6-pack of Vernor’s. When I came to Michigan in the summers to visit, the first thing I did when I got to my grandparents was head to the back room to their snack fridge and grab an ice-cold beverage. As I got older, my grandmother would keep diet in the fridge just for me.
So, imagine my trip down memory lane when we made this floats, complete with low-fat Edy’s light vanilla ice cream and diet Vernor’s! I call it a Michigan Float (sorry Boston people.)
Is their a food in your neck of the woods which you aren’t sure why it’s name what it is?
There is no such thing as a Boston Cooler here in Boston, but that’s funny it’s named that since we don’t drink that around here.. It sounds yummy.
I actually found out that it’s not named after Boston, MA but rather Boston street in Detroit.
so it’ a ginger ale float kinda. That sounds good, I love gingerale
It’s so yummy.
My daughter loves ginger ale, especially Vernor’s! I bet she would love this too.
I’m going to go with – –> yes!
We don’t have any odd named things in my neck of the woods. They all have names that pretty much describe themselves. LOL
Funny to hear what some things are called in different parts of the country. Even the soda versus pop thing:) This sounds yummy and I don’t live in Michigan or Boston, but would still try it lol
One special drink I have loved since childhood is Fresca. It’s so hard to find!
I love floats but would have never thought of making one with ginger ale. I am definitely open to giving this treat a try!
I made these for my kids a few times as treats! Next time I’m back in Michigan I have to ask for one of these.
Same here. I want to try one sometime – especially seeing as I am from Boston.
I don’t think I have ever tried a float, but my kids have had root beer floats. sounds yummy
Hmm I would have to say in Georgia it’s “Hash.” What is it exactly? I’m not too sure.. it’s like pureed meat I think..
Ground meat, sometimes corned beef, with seasoning and cubed potatoes?
I have never had an ice cream soda float with ginger ale before, I’m open to trying it out though! 🙂
I am sure there is some food that fits that description, but I am not thinking of one right now. That float does sound good though!
I used to get the best floats dow at the pharmacy when I was growing up. This looks awesome.
This looks absolutely delicious! I am craving sweets terribly tonight.
I live right on the IN MI line. I am not sure if I’ve ever had Vernors before, but it really sounds familiar!
My husband loves ginger ale (I do too, but only when I’m sick). I bet he would love this!
Wow, this looks like a fabulous drink idea for a hot summer day. With these 90+ degrees in Florida, I sure could use a cold drink
Sounds delicious! Would never think to use gingerale in a float! I always go for cola or dr pepper in my floats.
I have always wondered why Hamburgers are called that if they are not made with ham. They should be called Beefburgers.
We are Kindred spirts girl because I love ice cream year round too! I dont care if its frigid outside I want my ice cream. Weird food item name we have called Totchos – which is basically nachos but instead of totilla chips they are tater tots
I’ve never heard of this, with either name. But it sounds delicious! I’m giving you full credit for its invention.
This is so interesting, never heard of it before. I don’t really have ay special drink …. that brings any memories back to me or strikes me as special. Thanks for sharing this interesting drink idea.
I lived in Michigan for 10 years and Verners HAD to be one of the most popular drinks (after Red Pop LOL) Never really thought about putting it in a float. Not a bad idea!
Mmmm…. one of my all time favorite summer ice cream treat favorites! I was surprised to find that one of my kids doesn’t like root beer floats. I wonder how there ended up being so many various names for this cool summer drink? How wonderful that your grandma would send a care package with the special drink too!
Mmmmm, looks tasty. We are both into ginger drinks so would definitely try this one.
This sounds kind of like a root beer float but so much better! This would be the perfect summer treat!!
This looks delicious and never heard of the name Michigan float or Boston Cooler. I think they call them a spider here and I honestly don’t know why!
Wow, that’s a strange name for a delicious dessert drink! Maybe it’s because of the ginger.
This sounds like a delicious drink to enjoy! Ice cream is one of my biggest weaknesses and I love to enjoy in the summer.
I think I should set aside my all time favorite root beer float and give this a try. Honestly, I have not tried any ice cream soda with ginger ale, so I guess it would be an interesting experience for my taste buds.
I love Ginger Ale and Root Beer. I never been to Michigan. I’ll make sure to order Boston Cooler on next trip
Looks yummy and I am intrigued with the name. I have never had ginger ale, can you believe that? lol
I live in WV, so many people call many things weird names when it comes to food. lol. I quit trying to figure it out. Everything is ‘gravy’. lol
This sounds interesting! I’ve never heard of this before but oh boy does it look good and refreshing!
I have never heard of anything like this! I feel as if I have been missing out on a huge joy in my life! 🙂
I’ve had ginger ale once and kind of liked it. I’ve never had that kind of float though. I would love to give it a try. Looks good!
I’ve never heard of a Michigan float (Boston Cooler) before. This is the first time I’ve heard about it. That drink looks very delicious though! If I ever see one of those somewhere I’ll have to order it and try it out.
This sounds like a wonderful drink. I love ice cream but I haven’t thought to try a ginger ale float.
My kids have about a week before they head back to school. I’m excited but sad at the same time.
Yum yum! I could definitely get into this drink! Also, there is no such thing as a cheese or ice cream habit being bad… lol 😉
It’s so true..August got here in a hot minute! I’m all for this drink, sign me up. Gonna bookmark it now 🙂
Never heard of this before… well that’s maybe because I’m South African… 😛 lol… Not a huge float person. Love learning about things from different countries, hehe need to visit your city. 😉
Wow! I can’t even remember the last time I ever had a float..this post brings back memories!
This certainly looks refreshing. I would love to make my own one day!
I have never heard of this before, but it sounds delicious! I will definitely have to try it out sometime.
I love ginger ale, but I have not tried it that way. I bet it’s more yummy with the added whipped cream.
That sounds really good! I too am counting down the days until my kiddos go back to school lol.
Coming from Ohio I must say I am sorry that you live in Michigan. But that float sounds really good. We have Vernor’s down here too so I am gong to try that one.
Oooo this looks pretty tasty!!!! When I was a kid I remember my grandmother always had ginger ale in her fridge. I should make this for old time sake 😉
I tried to think of a name of food like this, and I really can’t. Vernor’s is not sold here, but I like to drink it when I go to Michigan.
It looks like great drink! They don’t have it here where I am, but I would try it. Anything to cool off on a days like these.
Yum! How funny is that – I just looked online as well and it’s not named after Boston, MA? So interesting! Who would have thought!