What is the name of the ice-cream dessert made by pouring soda over scoops of ice cream?

An ice cream float is made by pouring soda over scoops of ice cream.

The drink-dessert combination is commonly prepared with carbonated soft drink and vanilla ice cream, although many flavor combinations exist. Root beer floats are the best-known example, but cola, orange soda, and other sweetened fizzy drinks can also be used.

The soda produces foam when it contacts the ice cream, creating the characteristic floating scoop and creamy, carbonated texture. The dessert is served in a tall glass and is often eaten with a spoon and drunk through a straw.

An ice cream float differs from a sundae, which generally consists of ice cream with toppings or sauce but no requirement for soda. It also differs from an ice cream soda, a related drink that may include flavored syrup, soda water, and ice cream.