Italian Soda Recipe

4.46 from 31 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
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This Italian soda recipe is fizzy, colorful, and so easy to make with just seltzer water, sweet syrups, and a splash of cream. It’s a light, refreshing drink you can enjoy year-round for any party or cozy gathering!

If you love this Italian soda recipe, you’ll also enjoy my refreshing agua fresca recipes and lemon-lime spritz!

Blueberry Italian Soda Recipe - club soda, cream soda.

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Why Italian Sodas Are the Ultimate Treat

Growing up, this was my favorite summer treat. My mom and I always stopped at a little coffee shack called Coffee Heaven during road trips to Oregon.

I’d always skip the ice cream and order a blueberry Italian soda instead — they were fizzy, sweet, and so refreshing. Now I make them for my own kids, and it’s just as magical!

Here’s why Italian sodas are such a hit for any occasion:

  • Totally customizable: From classic strawberry to unique flavors like lavender and hazelnut, everyone can pick their favorite syrup.
  • Easy to make: Just three ingredients — soda water, flavored syrup, and cream (optional, but dreamy!).
  • Kid-friendly and fun: Skip the cream for a lighter sip, or create a whole DIY soda bar for guests to mix their own.
Homemade blueberry syrup with cream and carbonated water.

Italian Soda Ingredients

Flavored Syrup: Choose from fruity classics like strawberry or raspberry, or go bold with lavender, hazelnut, or vanilla. Store-bought works great, or make your own for extra charm.

Cream: Use heavy cream for richness, or sub in half-and-half or your favorite milk. Optional, but it turns it into that dreamy “Italian cream soda” vibe.

Sparkling Water: Club soda or seltzer keeps it light and fizzy. A soda maker works too if you want homemade bubbles!

Garnishes: Top with a cherry, fresh herbs, or a slice of fruit to make it look party-ready and extra fun.

How to Make an Italian Soda

Garnish: Top with fresh berries or a sprig of mint for a picture-perfect presentation.

Add Ice and Syrup: Start by filling a glass with ice and adding your syrup. For a more robust flavor, use a little extra syrup.

Pour in Club Soda: Add your sparkling water to create a bubbly, refreshing base.

Add the Cream: Finish by pouring in the cream, then stir to combine. This creates a creamy, dreamy drink.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Chill everything first: Cold sparkling water, syrup, and cream keep your soda fizzy and refreshing.

Add cream last: Pour the cream over the top right before serving for that dreamy layered look.

Skip the cream: Leave it out for a classic Italian soda that’s still bubbly and sweet.

Dairy-free option: Use coconut, almond, or oat milk for a delicious non-dairy twist.

Sugar-free version: Choose zero-sugar syrups to make a lighter, lower-calorie drink.

Mix & match flavors: Try combos like strawberry-vanilla, peach-lavender, or raspberry-lemon for something fun and unique!

Homemade Italian soda recipes with strawberries and blueberries.

Italian Soda Bar for Entertaining

Hosting a party? Set up a simple Italian soda bar and let guests mix their own! Just offer a few flavored syrups, chilled sparkling water, cream, and fun toppings like whipped cream, fruit slices, or cherries. It’s such a charming (and easy) way to add something interactive to your next gathering.

Here are some of my favorite seasonal Italian soda flavor combos to inspire your setup:

  • Winter: Peppermint + mocha with whipped cream and crushed candy canes
  • Spring: Lavender + lemon with edible flowers
  • Summer: Peach + ginger with fresh mint
  • Fall: Caramel + green apple with a cinnamon stick
Italian soda recipe with strawberry syrup and blueberry syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Italian soda different from regular soda?  

Italian sodas are made fresh with flavored syrup, bubbly water, and a splash of cream — no caffeine, no cans. They’re lighter, creamier, and way more customizable. Plus, you can dream up as many fun flavors as you want!

Is this a gluten-free recipe? 

Yes! Italian sodas are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to check the labels on your flavored syrups, as some brands may add ingredients that aren’t gluten-free.

What kind of cream should I add?

You can use heavy cream, half-and-half, or even whipping cream — whatever you have on hand! For a dairy-free option, coconut cream or a non-dairy creamer works beautifully too.

Where do I get flavored syrups?

I buy my syrups online or you can find them in Cost Plus World Market. They always have a great selection.

What’s the difference between French soda and Italian soda?

Italian soda is just flavored syrup and sparkling water — light, fizzy, and refreshing. French soda (also called Italian cream soda) adds a splash of cream for a richer, creamier drink. Honestly, growing up, I always thought an Italian soda had to have cream — it just made it extra special!

More Sweet Drink Recipes

If you like this fun drink, try these recipes:

Check out my Strawberry Tequila Sodas and Italian Paloma Cocktail too! 

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Italian Soda
4.46 from 31 votes

Italian Soda Recipe

By: Eden
An Italian soda is a classic, refreshing drink that's easy to make with just 3 ingredients! We're sharing all the details on how to make an Italian soda and two of our favorite Italian soda flavors!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
0 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
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Ingredients 

Italian Soda

  • 2 ounces syrup, homemade blueberry or strawberry syrup
  • 3 ounces club soda, any sparkling water
  • 1 ounce cream, heavy cream or half and half

Instructions 

Italian Soda

  • Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice — the more, the better for that refreshing chill.
  • Pour about 1/4 part of your favorite flavored syrup over the ice. Adjust to taste depending on how sweet you like it!
  • Slowly add club soda (or seltzer) over the syrup, letting it fizz and bubble to the top.
  • Drizzle in a small splash of cream — just enough to create that dreamy, swirling effect.
  • Give it a gentle stir, top with a cherry or a sprig of mint if you’re feeling fancy, and sip away!

Notes

Homemade Italian Syrup 
To make the homemade syrup, add 1 cup of water, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup of berries (your choice) into a saucepan. 
On medium heat, allow the sugar to dissolve into the water.
Add in the berries and continue to simmer for at least 10 minutes until the berries are soft. 
Remove from the heat and let the syrup sit for another 5 minutes. 
Strain the mixture through a mesh sieve – keep the juice and discard the berries.
Let the mixture cool before using. It will stay fresh for a few days in the fridge.
Sweeter Italian Soda
To make a sweeter Italian soda, add more syrup. To create a creamier soda, add more creamy.
Italian Soda Ratio
Use these measurements as a guide, but you can add more or less syrup, sparkling water, and half and half to make it exactly how you like it. 
Eden’s Tips
Let the simple syrup cool before mixing in.
Use flavored carbonated water to add to the flavor depth. 
Use the freshest fruit available to make syrups.
Use a generous amount of ice for each drink.
You can use whole milk for these sodas, too.
Add an extra splash of cream if you prefer.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 64mg, Potassium: 24mg, Sugar: 44g, Vitamin A: 417IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

About Eden

I’m Eden Passante and I develop, create, style and photograph every recipe and party on Sugar and Charm. I’m the author of Entertaining with Charm and have a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and I’m here to help you create simple and easy recipes for entertaining and how to add charm to any gathering!

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4.46 from 31 votes (20 ratings without comment)

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84 Comments

  1. Samantha says:

    5 stars
    Delicious love this recipe!!! Silly question! I was thinking about making this in bulk (maybe tripling the recipe) and storing some. Is this something that you can save for later, by canning it in a water bath? Thank you in advance!

  2. Trinity says:

    5 stars
    I had just bought a bunch of cherries when I found this recipe, so I made the Cherry Lime flavor. I used half of the sugar and no cream, and it’s so delicious and refreshing. My husband is now considering buying a soda stream so we always have carbonated water on hand.

  3. Angela says:

    5 stars
    Hi there, all your recipes look amazing 🤩. I was just wondering about how long the blueberry syrup (for the Italian soda) takes to cool down? Thank you in advance.

    1. Eden says:

      It will take about an hour to cool to room temp. You can put it in the refrigerator to help!

  4. amy says:

    5 stars
    one of my favorite coffee shops makes me this and I am so glad that I can make this at home now! thank you for sharing this recipe

  5. Macie says:

    5 stars
    Just so wonderful and refreshing! I love having a simple recipe to make these at home!