After decades of peacefully coexisting in the state of Texas and in malt shop soda glasses everywhere, two iconic Lone Star brands have joined forces to combine two classic flavors into one singular sensation.
Blue Bell Creameries announced Thursday that it had teamed up with Dr Pepper to create a new ice cream flavor, Dr Pepper Float.
Of course, ice cream floats are nothing new. The first ice cream float was reportedly invented in 1874 by Robert McCay Green, a soda fountain operator who ran out of sweet cream for his sweet cream sodas while serving crowds at the semicentennial celebration of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
He decided to use ice cream that he obtained from a neighboring vendor, and the ice cream float was born. It was an instant hit. After tasting one, famous entertainer and writer Will Rogers reportedly stated, “You will think you have died and gone to heaven.”
While it is not clear what type of soda and ice cream was used in the very first float, it’s a pretty sure bet that Dr Pepper and Blue Bell vanilla have been paired together in ice cream floats for many decades, especially in Texas. It was just inevitable.
Dr Pepper was invented by Charles Alderton, who worked the soda fountain at Morrison’s Old Corner Drugstore in Waco. U.S. Patent records show he served up the first glass of his original concoction in 1885.
The beverage became so popular that Alderton soon had to turn production over to a large bottling and manufacturing company to keep up with the demand. The bottling company, which later became the Dr Pepper Company, introduced its prized product to the world at the 1904 World’s Fair Exposition in St. Louis.
Meanwhile, a little creamery in the small Texas town of Brenham was making a name for itself in the early 1900s. The Brenham Creamery Company changed its name to Blue Bell Creameries in 1930. In 1958, the company transitioned from producing butter to manufacturing ice cream, arguably some of the best in the world.
In this newest iteration of the classic combo of ice cream and soda beverage, Blue Bell swirled its creamy vanilla ice cream with Dr Pepper-flavored sherbet.
“The best ice cream floats are made with Dr Pepper poured over a few scoops of Blue Bell,” Jimmy Lawhorn, Blue Bell vice president of sales & marketing, claimed. “Why not put a spin on this popular treat and create our own version?”
“The flavor of Dr Pepper and texture of the sherbet combine perfectly with the smooth vanilla ice cream. You may find yourself reaching for a soda glass instead of a bowl,” he added.
John Alvarado, the senior vice president of Dr Pepper brand marketing, said the company was eager to provide another refreshing way for fans to enjoy its signature beverage.
“Our Texas heritage is so important to us at Dr Pepper, and we are excited to team up with fellow Texas-born brand, Blue Bell, to create this new delicious treat,” he added
Dr Pepper Float arrived in stores Thursday and will be available in pint and half-gallon sizes throughout 2024, according to a press release by Blue Bell.
