# Creamy Root Beer Flavors The MUG Root Beer Floats Vanilla Howler is a First for the Company By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-06-25 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mug-root-beer-floats References: [pepsico](https://www.pepsico.com/newsroom/press-releases/2026/mug-root-beer-yung-gravy-release-float-float-baby-remix-track-mug-root-beer-floats-vanilla-howler) MUG Root Beer, which strives to position itself as [Gen Z's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mystery-flavor-milkshake) number one root beer, has launched its first limited-edition flavor — the MUG Root Beer Floats Vanilla Howler. This beverage combines the brand's signature bold root beer taste with a creamy vanilla flavor inspired by the [classic root beer float](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/root-beer-float-pieces). To promote this release, the brand has partnered with multi-platinum hip-hop artist Yung Gravy for a parody track and music video titled ' Float Float Baby,' which — as some might already realize — remixes the iconic 1990s hit 'Ice Ice Baby.' The musical activation fetures the brand's mascot, Dog, alongside the artist. The marketing campaign also includes a limited-edition poolside float bundle, available exclusively through the MUG Root Beer TikTok Shop. The bundle boasts an inner tube floatie, an inflatable beach ball featuring the mascot's face, and a 12-pack of the new flavor. The MUG Root Beer Floats Vanilla Howler is available in both Original and Zero Sugar varieties. Image Credit: MUG Root Beer ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 9.1/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 97% | Freshness: 78% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Dessert-inspired Sodas:** Creamy, nostalgic flavor profiles are expanding carbonated drinks into treat-like occasions that blur the line between beverages, desserts, and limited-time collectibles. - **Pop-culture Flavor Launches:** Music-led campaigns and parody-driven content are turning product drops into entertainment moments that can accelerate youth awareness and social sharing. - **Tiktok-exclusive Bundles:** Platform-specific merchandise and beverage packs are making social commerce a testing ground for scarcity, fandom, and direct-to-consumer experimentation. ### Who This Affects Most - **Soft Drinks:** Limited-edition zero-sugar and full-sugar variants are reshaping soda portfolios around novelty, nostalgia, and flexible consumption preferences. - **Entertainment Marketing:** Celebrity collaborations tied to recognizable cultural references are giving packaged goods brands a faster path into meme cycles and Gen Z conversations. - **E-commerce:** Shoppable social releases with bundled merchandise are creating new retail formats where branded products function as both consumables and lifestyle accessories. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Limited-Time Holiday Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cocacola-holiday-creamy-vanilla.md) - [Unisex Root Beer Colognes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daddys-home.md) - [Ice Cream-Inspired Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mug-root-beer-floats-vanilla-howler.md) - [Nostalgic Cherry-Flavored Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cocacola-cherry-float.md) - [Dirty Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mug-brotein.md) - [Icy Olympic Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-white-blue-sparkling-float1.md) - [Classic Float-Inspired Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/root-beer-float-pop.md) - [Better-For-You Canned Root Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/poppi.md) - [Fast Food Soda Floats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orange-vanilla-cream-soda-freeze.md)