Creamy vanilla ice cream, a dark pumpkin-and-spice brew foaming up over the top, and a drizzle of maple syrup — the Jack-o’-Lantern Float is dessert and a drink in one frosty glass. This pumpkin spice float takes three ingredients and about a minute, and it tastes like the coziest corner of a fall bakery.

It’s playful enough for a costume party and grown-up enough for a fireside night in. And it’s alcohol-free — all the cozy, minus the next-day regrets.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Float

• Dessert meets drink. It’s part root beer float, part pumpkin pie, and all fun.
• Three ingredients, one minute. Scoop, pour, drizzle — done.
• Perfectly portioned. A 4 oz pour over a small scoop is just right for a sweet treat or a party sampler.
• That foam! The creamy, frothy head is pure fall magic and so Insta-worthy.
• Crowd-pleasing. Pumpkin spice fans and craft beer fans both get something to love.

What You Need for the Jack-o’-Lantern Float

Like every Mocktail Fantasia recipe, it’s three simple ingredients, plus a garnish.

Ingredients (makes one 4 oz pour)

• 4 oz Athletic Brewing Dark & Gourdy (non-alcoholic)
• 1 small scoop (about ¼ cup) vanilla ice cream
• 1 tsp maple syrup or caramel sauce

Garnish

• A dusting of cinnamon
• A dried orange slice for the rim

Athletic Brewing Dark & Gourdy is a non-alcoholic dark brew with pumpkin and warm fall spices. Its roasty, spiced flavor is a dreamy match for creamy vanilla. Learn more about the seasonal lineup at Athletic Brewing.

How to Make the Jack-o’-Lantern Float

1. Start with the scoop. Add the vanilla ice cream to a small glass or mug.
2. Pour slowly. Tilt the glass and slowly pour the Dark & Gourdy over the ice cream. It will foam up fast, so take your time.
3. Drizzle. Swirl maple syrup or caramel sauce over the foam.
4. Garnish and sip. Dust with cinnamon and perch a dried orange slice on the rim.

Grab a spoon and a straw — you’ll want both.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Beer Float

Chill Everything

Keep the can cold and pop your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes. A frosty glass keeps the ice cream from melting too fast.

Pour Down the Side

Pouring down the side of a tilted glass controls the foam. If it rises too fast, pause for a few seconds and let it settle before finishing the pour.

Let It Melt a Little

The magic happens after a minute or two, when the ice cream starts melting into the brew and everything turns creamy and caramel-colored.

Easy Variations

• Salted caramel: Use caramel sauce and finish with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt.
• Pumpkin pie: Swap vanilla for pumpkin or cinnamon ice cream and top with crushed graham crackers.
• Maple pecan: Use maple syrup and sprinkle on chopped candied pecans.
• Brown sugar rim: Rim the glass with maple syrup, then dip it in brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Dessert bar: Set out small scoops, toppings, and chilled cans, and let guests build their own.

When to Serve This Fall Float

The Jack-o’-Lantern Float is a fun finish for:

• Fall parties and costume parties
• Friendsgiving dessert
• Bonfires and movie nights
• Tailgates and game days
• Any cozy night that calls for something sweet

Serving a crowd? Pair it with our Fireside Sangria for a cozy, alcohol-free fall drink menu.

Where to Find the Ingredients

Find seasonal mixers, NA sips, and more in the Mocktail Fantasia Bottleshop. Our lineup rotates with the seasons, so scoop up your favorites while they’re available — once they’re out of season, they might not come back until next year.

Want everything in one box? Our fall mocktail box includes the Athletic Brewing Dark & Gourdy, dried orange slices, and more seasonal sips, plus step-by-step recipe cards.

Here’s to Sweet Fall Nights

The best pumpkin spice float is cold, creamy, and just a little indulgent — and the Jack-o’-Lantern Float delivers with only three ingredients.

Make one tonight and tag us at #MocktailFantasia so we can see your frothy creations. Where every sip feels like a celebration ✨

Frequently Asked Questions