Italian Cream Soda with Homemade Fruity
A refreshing, creamy, and fizzy drink featuring sparkling water, homemade fruit syrup, and rich cream. Perfect for summer parties, nostalgic treats, or anytime you want a gourmet soda experience at home.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Tall glasses or mason jars
- Spoon (for stirring)
- Soda siphon or bottled sparkling water (optional)
Ingredients
For the Fruity Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (raspberries, peaches, blackberries, etc.)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- Optional: 1 tsp lemon juice or vanilla extract for flavor
For the Italian Cream Soda:
- ¾ cup chilled sparkling water or club soda
- 2–3 tbsp homemade fruity syrup (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup chilled half-and-half, heavy cream, or dairy-free cream alternative
- Ice cubes
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh fruit slices or berries
- Mint leaves
- Edible flowers
Instructions
Make the Syrup:
- Combine fruit, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until sugar dissolves, then simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until the fruit breaks down and syrup thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice or vanilla if using.
- Strain syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove solids.
- Let cool and refrigerate until cold.
Assemble the Soda:
- Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes.
- Add 2–3 tablespoons of syrup to each glass (more or less to taste).
- Pour chilled sparkling water gently over the syrup, filling about ¾ of the glass.
- Slowly pour cream over the back of a spoon to float on top and create a creamy swirl.
- Stir gently once or twice to combine slightly without losing fizz.
Garnish and Serve:
- Add fresh fruit or mint for garnish if desired.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy fizz at its best.
Notes
- For best results, use chilled ingredients to keep the soda fizzy and creamy.
- Adjust syrup sweetness and cream amount to suit your preference.
- Store homemade syrup in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or freeze in ice cube trays.
- Try different fruit syrups and herb infusions to customize your drink.
- Use dairy-free cream alternatives to make this vegan-friendly.
- Pour cream slowly over a spoon to maintain fizz and create beautiful swirls.
- This drink is best enjoyed fresh; avoid pre-mixing to keep carbonation lively.