Traditional Italian cream soda is sweet, fizzy, and delicious. Our version is made with flavored syrup, half and half, and club soda. It’s great for parties, holidays, summer gatherings and so much more!
Italian Cream Soda is a delicious and refreshing beverage that is easy to make.
It can be enjoyed as is, or with a splash of fruit juice for added flavor. Italian Cream Soda is the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer day or any day!
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Throughout the years, whenever we would dine out, the kids always wanted to get an Italian Cream Soda if it was on the menu. Those fruity, creamy drinks are really appealing – no matter your age.
But you don’t have to dine out to enjoy one. They are super simple to make with just a handful of ingredients.
We love to offer them as a fun alternative to cocktails when hosting a Bunco night, backyard BBQ, or potluck. So much better than what you get in the restaurant for a fraction of the price.
**Don’t miss our recipe for a Classic Roy Rogers Drink too!
Here are some commonly asked questions
What is Italian Cream Soda?
Italian Cream Soda is a refreshing drink made with soda syrup, half and half, seltzer water, and ice. It can be garnished with whipped cream and fresh fruit if desired.
Is Italian soda from Italy?
Nope! It was created by an Italian syrup company – which is why they added Italian to the name. But essentially these are homemade cream sodas – made with Italian syrup.
What does Italian cream soda taste like?
Cream soda (also known as creme soda or creaming soda) is a sweet soft drink. Generally flavored with rich flavors like vanilla or caramel or fruit flavors. The addition of half and half gives the flavor and texture of an ice cream soda. A wide range of variations can be found worldwide.
Does Italian cream soda have caffeine?
No! Carbonated water and flavoring syrups are used to make Italian sodas. There is no caffeine in the bottle unless you add it on purpose.
What’s the difference between French soda and Italian Soda?
So – this is where it gets interesting. The traditional Italian version is just club soda, flavored syrup, and ice. The French version, (also called Italian Cream Soda) has the addition of half and half.
For the sake of this post – we are technically sharing the French version – but since both actually have the same name, it is up to you if you choose to add the half and half in your glass.
Either way, it is positively delicious. We love the creamy texture – but you can customize it as you like.
What to serve with Italian Cream Soda
We serve this with just about anything – but here are some of our favorite recipes to pair with this great beverage!
Dinner
- Smoked Beef Ribs
- Smoked Pork Butt
- Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
- BBQ Tri-Tip Roast
- Grilled Chicken Skewers
Sides
Desserts
Italian Soda Ingredients
- Crushed ice enough to fill the glass about ¾ full
- flavored syrup
- half-and-half
- club soda
- Whip cream – optional
- Fresh fruit for garnish – optional
Why does my Italian cream soda curdle?
When citrus is combined with dairy, curdling occurs. There is currently no way to prevent this from happening unless you use dairy-friendly products such as Torani’s Dairy-Friendly Orange Syrup. Another technique to prevent the curdling is to prepare the syrup first, followed by seltzer water, and ice, and then pour the cream over the top.
How many pumps of syrup are in an Italian soda?
Fill the glass halfway with ice. For a 16-ounce cup, use about 6 pours of syrup. Feel free to experiment with various tastes!
How to Make Italian Cream Soda
- Fill a tall glass about ¾ full with ice.
- Add ½ – ¾ cup of club soda, more if you have a large glass.
- Add 3-4 tablespoons of flavored syrup, more if you like it sweeter.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of half-and-half.
- Top with whip cream and fresh fruit, if desired.
- Stir and drink immediately.
Notes
- I used Torani flavored syrups – which can be found in most grocers or online.
- I tried using Skinny Mixes syrups for a low-carb alternative – but the syrups were not heavy enough to sink to the bottom of the glass. You might want to try the sugar-free versions Torani offers.
Can you use snow cone syrup for Italian soda?
Yes – syrups made for making snow cones are perfect for making cream soda. The thicker versions will sink better than the lighter, sugar-free versions!
Can you make Italian sodas with Sprite?
You bet. I understand that a lot of people don’t keep club soda on hand. So in that case, a lemon-lime soda will work. Keep in mind that it will alter the flavor of the drink and will make it sweeter since it has sweeteners while club soda does not.
Also, make sure to pair your flavors – you might not want a lemon-lime flavor paired with something like caramel.
Products I love when making Italian Cream Soda…
This fun drink recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made a drink like this before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this beverage recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)
- Syrup set – Raspberry, Strawberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Orange, Peach
- Assorted Summer Syrup Set – Lime, Watermelon, Raspberry, Lemon, Coconut, Tangerine
- Highball Glasses
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
If you love this homemade cream soda recipe, you’re going to love these other beverages too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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Italian Cream Soda
Ingredients
The amount of each ingredient will depend on the size of your glass.
- Crushed ice enough to fill glass about ¾ full
- 3-4 tablespoons flavored syrup
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half
- ½ – ¾ cup club soda depending on the size of your glass
- Whip cream optional
- Fresh fruit for garnish optional
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass about ¾ full with ice.
- Add ½ – ¾ cup of club soda, more if you have a large glass.
- Add 3-4 tablespoons of flavored syrup, more if you like it sweeter.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of half-and-half.
- Top with whip cream and fresh fruit, if desired.
- Stir and drink immediately.
Notes
- I used Torani flavored syrups – which can be found in most grocers or online.
- I tried using Skinny Mixes syrups for a low-carb alternative – but the syrups were not heavy enough to sink to the bottom of the glass. You might want to try the sugar-free versions Torani offers.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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