Culver's Drinks & Beverages: Full List with Prices
The drink menu at Culver's is straightforward — fountain drinks, fresh-brewed tea, lemonade, and the usual suspects. But there's one standout that elevates the whole category: the Root Beer Float, made with Fresh Frozen Custard instead of ice cream. Here's every beverage option with current prices and calorie counts.
The Root Beer Float — The Drink You Didn't Know You Needed
Most root beer floats at other restaurants use standard soft serve or vanilla ice cream. Culver's uses their Fresh Frozen Custard — which is denser, creamier, and richer than ice cream. The result is a float that's noticeably thicker and more velvety. The custard doesn't melt as fast as ice cream either, so you get that creamy-root-beer combination lasting through more of the drink.
At $4.29 for a medium, it sits between a regular drink and a dessert — and honestly functions as both. If you've never had a custard-based float, this is the thing to order at Culver's at least once.
Complete Drinks Price Table
| Beverage | Medium | Large | Cal (Med) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain Drink (Pepsi/Coke products) | $2.49 | $2.89 | ~200 | Soda |
| Diet Fountain Drink | $2.49 | $2.89 | ~0 | Diet Soda |
| Fresh Brewed Iced Tea (Unsweetened) | $2.49 | $2.89 | ~0 | Tea |
| Fresh Brewed Iced Tea (Sweetened) | $2.49 | $2.89 | ~160 | Sweet Tea |
| Lemonade | $2.69 | $3.09 | ~210 | Fruit |
| Root Beer Float | $4.29 | $4.99 | ~480 | Dessert Drink |
| Shake (Vanilla / Chocolate / Strawberry) | $4.69 | $5.39 | ~680 | Custard |
| Malt | $4.99 | $5.69 | ~730 | Custard |
| Chocolate Milk | $2.29 | — | ~250 | Milk |
| White Milk | $2.29 | — | ~130 | Milk |
| Bottled Water | $1.89 | — | 0 | Water |
Fountain drink brands (Pepsi vs Coca-Cola) vary by location. "—" indicates size not available. Prices are approximate.
Drinks by Category
Zero & Low Calorie Options
If you're keeping it light, Culver's has solid zero-calorie options that don't feel like an afterthought:
Bottled Water ($1.89) — zero calories, simplest option. Available at every location.
Unsweetened Iced Tea ($2.49) — freshly brewed in-house daily. Clean, refreshing, 0 calories. The best non-water zero-calorie option on the menu.
Diet Fountain Drink ($2.49) — Diet Pepsi, Diet Coke, or other diet options depending on your location's brand. Near-zero calories with the fizz factor.
Custard-Based Drinks
Culver's shakes, malts, and the Root Beer Float all use Fresh Frozen Custard instead of ice cream. This makes them denser and creamier than typical fast-food versions. They straddle the line between drink and dessert — which is exactly the point.
The shake is the standard — thick, smooth, and available in three classic flavors. The malt adds malted milk powder for a slightly nuttier, more old-school diner flavor. The Root Beer Float is the wildcard — less sweet than a shake but with that fizzy-creamy combo that just works.
What's Included in Value Baskets?
Every Value Basket includes a medium fountain drink. That covers regular sodas, diet sodas, iced tea, and lemonade. If you want to upgrade to a Root Beer Float, shake, or malt instead of the included drink, most locations allow it for an additional upcharge (usually $1.50–$2.50). It's worth asking at the counter — the float upgrade in particular is a game-changer if you're treating yourself.
Fountain Drink Options
Culver's fountain lineup varies by location because some franchises carry Pepsi products while others carry Coca-Cola. Here's what you'll typically find:
| Pepsi Locations | Coca-Cola Locations |
|---|---|
| Pepsi | Coca-Cola |
| Diet Pepsi | Diet Coke |
| Mountain Dew | Sprite |
| Sierra Mist | Fanta |
| Mug Root Beer | Barq's Root Beer |
| Dr Pepper | Dr Pepper |
| Tropicana Lemonade | Minute Maid Lemonade |
Dr Pepper is available at most locations regardless of the primary soda brand. Exact fountain options vary by franchise.
Shake vs Malt — What's the Difference?
A shake is custard blended smooth — thick, creamy, and straightforward. A malt is the same thing with malted milk powder added, which gives it a slightly toasty, nutty flavor and an even thicker texture. The malt costs about $0.30 more and adds roughly 50 extra calories.
If you've never had a malt, think of it as a shake with more depth — the malted milk adds a subtle complexity that shake purists either love or don't notice. Try a chocolate malt first; the chocolate-malt combination is where the flavor difference is most apparent.
🥤 5 Drinks Ordering Tips
- Try the Root Beer Float at least once. It's made with custard, not ice cream. That single difference makes it noticeably better than any other fast-food float you've had.
- Unsweetened iced tea is the smart default. Zero calories, freshly brewed, and free refills at most locations. It pairs well with everything on the menu without adding calories.
- Ask about upgrading your basket drink to a float. Not every location advertises this option, but most will let you swap your medium fountain drink for a Root Beer Float at an upcharge. Always worth asking.
- Skip the large fountain drink. The medium is generous. Going large saves you only $0.40 but adds another 60+ calories of soda you probably don't need.
- A shake can replace dessert. If you were planning to get both a drink and a Concrete Mixer, consider just getting a shake instead — it covers both cravings in one cup and saves you $3–$4.