The easiest way to make an Italian soda recipe! This creamy soda is a refreshing, customizable drink that’s a hit at summer parties and gatherings! Made with just three simple ingredients: seltzer water, heavy cream, and sweet-flavored syrups.
Growing up, this was my favorite summer treat. My mom and I always stopped by a coffee shack called Coffee Heaven on road trips to Oregon. I remember ordering Italian blueberry soda instead of ice cream because they were refreshing. I wanted to recreate these so my kids could experience the same joy.
Why Italian Sodas are Perfect for Any Occasion
Italian sodas add a fun twist to any party. They’re great for 4th of July celebrations, garden parties, and family get-togethers. Serve them alongside my Italian cookie recipe or a fresh fruit platter for an unforgettable spread!
What’s in an Italian Soda?
This drink blends club soda with flavored syrup for a light and fizzy base. It’s often topped with cream for a smooth finish. It’s also known as an Italian cream soda or French soda.
The key ingredient here is the flavored syrup, which comes in options ranging from strawberry and vanilla to unique choices like lavender and hazelnut. You can customize your soda with your favorite flavor or make a variety for guests to sample.
Serve these at 4th of July Parties, Summer BBQs, Garden Party or Summer Pool Parties. They would be perfect paired with my Italian cookies and a fresh fruit platter.
If you love this Italian soda recipe, check out some of my other popular drink recipes, like my refreshing agua fresca recipes, virgin piña coladas, and lemon-lime spritz!
How to Make Italian Soda at Home
Here’s everything you need for a refreshing homemade Italian soda.
Ingredients
- Flavored Syrup: Choose from various store-bought syrups or make your own for extra flavor.
- Cream: Use heavy cream, half-and-half, or any milk you prefer for a creamier texture.
- Sparkling Water: Club soda or seltzer both work well. You can create the perfect fizz at home if you have a soda maker.
- Garnishes: Add fresh herbs, fruit, or maraschino cherry for a charming finish.
Directions
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 Variations
Sugar-Free Options
Use sugar-free syrups to enjoy a lower-calorie Italian soda. Many brands offer fruity, sugar-free flavors that work great in this recipe.
Dairy-Free Italian Soda
To make a non-dairy version, replace the cream with coconut, almond, or another dairy-free alternative.
Italian Soda Bar for Entertaining
Set up an Italian soda bar for parties! Arrange syrups, club soda, ice, and toppings like whipped cream, fruit slices, and chocolate chips. Guests can mix and match flavors to create their own perfect drink.
Check out my snow cone bar and mojito bar for more fun ideas.
Seasonal & Holiday Italian Soda Variations
Make Italian sodas festive all year with these seasonal twists!
- Winter: Peppermint Mocha: Add peppermint and mocha syrups, then top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
- Spring: Lavender Lemon: Mix lavender and lemon syrups, garnishing with a lemon slice or edible flowers.
- Summer: Peach Ginger: Combine peach and ginger syrups, adding fresh peach slices and mint.
- Fall: Caramel Apple: Blend caramel and green apple syrups, finishing with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are made with syrup, carbonated water, and cream and do not contain caffeine like regular sodas; they are freshly made. They also look different from the cream; you can create as many flavors as possible.
The Italian soda recipe outlined in this post is naturally gluten-free. However, if you have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, it’s always prudent to check the labels of the products you use, especially the flavored syrups, to ensure they are free of gluten-containing additives.
You can use any type of cream, such as half and half, heavy cream, or whipping cream. You can use coconut cream or a non-dairy heavy cream alternative if you want a non-dairy option.
I buy my syrups online or you can find them in Cost Plus World Market. They always have a great selection.
Technically, an Italian soda is made with flavored syrup and carbonated water, offering a light and fizzy taste. French soda, also called Italian cream soda, adds cream to the mix, giving it a richer and creamier texture. However, growing up an Italian cream soda always had cream!
More Sweet Drink Recipes
If you like this fun drink, try these recipes:
Be sure to check out my Strawberry Tequila Sodas and Italian Paloma Cocktail too!
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Italian Soda Recipe
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 glass with ice.
- Pour 1/4 part syrup over the ice.
- Add in the club soda.
- Pour in a small amount of cream and stir.
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!
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.
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.
It will take about an hour to cool to room temp. You can put it in the refrigerator to help!
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
Just so wonderful and refreshing! I love having a simple recipe to make these at home!
Oh my goodness. Not only did this look so pretty after I made it, but it also tasted amazing!! Thank you so much for this great recipe!
We loved these! I used strawberry syrup and a it was delicious! I never thought to make my own!
LOVE Italian Cream Sodas. Great recipe. These are so good and so wonderfully refreshing! Absolutely delicious. My husband, especially, LOVES these!
It’s the first time that I tried making our own Italian soda and it was a great hit at home! My family loved it, it’s not too sweet and my kids loved strawberry!
These sodas are just perfect and refreshing! Always a warm weather favorite for us. Strawberry is our favorite flavor!
Italian soda is the best! One of my favorites growing up! Can’t wait to make these for my kids!
Do you strain using a cheesecloth??
Through a mesh sieve 🙂
So excited I found this sight,can’t wait to make the Italian sodas. Iam always looking for new recipes.
Awesome!! Thank you so much! Italian sodas are my favorite!!!
Italian Soda Recipe. WOW!!
hey girl tomorrow i am having family gathering so i going to wow them with my italian sodas enjoy your weekend altogether