Do Italian cream sodas exist on menus anywhere anymore? I've heard of them but have never seen one so I can order and try it out. Perhaps these are items lost to the past for reasons unknown to me. Given that I haven't seen them, and am not going for inside the restaurant experiences right now, I figured this was the perfect time to try making Italian cream sodas at home. And since it would be going down at home, why not try some fancier flavor choices that probably don't even exist on menus anyway?

These are an excellent way to usher in the spring season and to enjoy some lighter, springier flavors like florals, citrusy herbs, and the last of the fresh winter citrus harvest.

Making Your Own Soda Syrup

I decided to make lemongrass a flavor for sure since I recently harvested and pruned my lemongrass bush from this year and ended up with tons and tons of lemongrass. I gave some away, but kept a decent amount in the freezer for refreshing drinks throughout the year. The citrusy-sweet scent is one I enjoy in a variety of ways but it isn't as widely appreciated as I think it should be. Thai food is about one of the only cultures that uses lemongrass in their food and drinks, which probably explains why I love it so.

Unexpectedly, the day I was set to make these, I picked up a bag of blood oranges at Trader Joe's because they were there and I liked the idea of having them. So the second flavor would be blood orange, which I love for it's deep crimson coloring and it's orange-yness but with a less tart flavor. These are perfect for snacking on, just wear dark colored clothing before peeling or cutting these things.

Other syrup flavors I'd like to make include lavender, rose, violet, blueberry, vanilla, and maybe even a chocolate one made with cocoa powder.

Lemongrass Italian cream soda and blood orange Italian cream soda

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Fancy Italian Cream Sodas

Find new flavors to enjoy by unleashing your creative impulses on the blank canvas that is Italian cream sodas, which are also very easy to make!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword cream, soda

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings 2 drinks

Author April

Ingredients

Flavored Simple Syrup

½ cup white sugar
½ cup water
flavorings of choice (see note)

Cream Soda

2 cups club soda
8 tablespoons flavored syrup
4 tablespoons half and half
spray whipped cream for topping

Instructions

If you are making your own syrup, bring the sugar and water to a low boil over medium high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and add in fruit or herb flavorings. Set aside to cool, remove peels, leaves, etc. from syrup before adding to cream soda.
Fill a glass with ice.
Pour half of the club soda over the ice in one glass, then the other.
Divide the flavored syrup between the two glasses, then add the half and half. Do not mix.
Top with whipped cream and any other garnishes as desired.

Notes

For flavorings, I used lemongrass in one, and blood orange peel in the other, plus a little food coloring to amp up the effect. The peel of one orange is enough for two drinks worth of syrup, and about three thick lemongrass stalks that are more than 5" is enough to flavor two drinks worth of syrup.

I think I am a cream soda convert now. They are much lighter than milkshakes, but have the same creamy feel to them, plus a little effervescence, and of course, the zippy flavors.

Other Syrup Options

If you don't want to make your own syrups, you can use pre-made flavors, like Torani or Monin syrups. Or if you're feeling experimental and open to new things, try these floral syrup variety packs.

Looking for other non-alcoholic beverage options? Try lavender lemonade and peach iced tea. Cheers to warmer temperatures ahead and even longer daylight hours!