A Root Beer Float from Toast City Diner. (Photo by Sherri Hall. Click to enlarge.)

By SHERRI HALL

Is it really over already? No! Say it isn’t so!

As the summer of 2016 fades into history, it is with great reluctance that PieHole‘s Cool Inside series closes out (sniff!) with a simple classic: a root beer float.

It’s the 15th entry in the series that has served up everything from a waffle bowl to an egg cream, with lots of variety in between. Each was carefully selected to deliver maximum mouthfuls of flavor and bone-cooling effect on a hot summer’s day.

But remember, dear reader: summer doesn’t actually end until September 22. So if you missed any of our stops, there’s a complete list at the bottom of this article to help you keep cool in the interim —and beyond. Because really, if you think about it, does summer actually have to end?

Adding the vanilla ice cream, or whatever floats your float. (Photo by Sherri Hall. Click to enlarge.)

What is it called?

Root Beer Float

Where is it sold?

Toast City Diner

45 Monmouth Street

Red Bank

732.224.1234

Also available at Toast in Asbury Park and Montclair.

Price?

$5 plus tax

What’s in the Root Beer Float?

According to manager Matt Laverty, Toast’s root beer float consists of just two simple ingredients: Mug brand root beer and vanilla ice cream. Of course, personal variations — different ice cream flavors, the addition of chocolate syrup — are gladly accommodated, he says.

What menu items pair best with a Root Beer Float?

Laverty suggests ordering the waffles, disco eggs or a burger to enjoy with this classic drink.

What’s great about the Root Beer Float?

“It’s nostalgic,” says Laverty of the drink, which is served here in a mason jar. Though it opened just a year ago, Toast is an old-fashioned diner with a modern feel, and classics like the root beer float are popular with people of all ages.

Fill in the blank with the first word that comes to mind:

If the Root Beer Float didn’t exist, life would be “less fun.” (Laverty)

How does Toast’s root beer float stack up against others you’ve had? Click to leave feedback!

ICYMI, here are the previous stops on the Cool Inside tour of the Greater Red Bank Green and the featured treats:

Crazee’s for a homemade waffle bowl

Ryan’s Homemade Ice Cream for chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream in a waffle cone

Strollo’s Lighthouse for an “iceshake”

La Rosa’s Pastry Shop for frozen cannoli cream and cannoli chips

Hoffman’s for a Cookie Monster milkshake

Ralph’s for a chocolate-chip-cookie sundae

Rook for a New Orleans-style cold brew

Kitch Organic for a Flyin’ Hawaiian fruit smoothie

Gracie and the Dudes for a chocolate milkshake

Chill Bubble Tea for a lemon-strawberry ice bubble

Chocolate Works for a Candy Wonderland Shake

Juanito’s Bakery for a Bomba fruit smoothie

Coffee Corral for a Peanut Butter Protein Blast

Red Bank Diner for a New York Egg Cream