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Italian soda is a popular cold drink made with flavored syrup and club soda or seltzer water, originating from an Italian immigrant family in San Francisco in the 1920s. The key to a good Italian soda is a quality syrup, which can be purchased for home use. To make an Italian soda at home, add syrup, ice, and seltzer water, and optionally half-and-half or cream, and top with whipped cream.
Gourmet coffee shop patrons may notice a cold drink option called Italian soda, also known as cream or French soda in different parts of the world. This drink is a refreshing combination of flavored syrup and club soda or seltzer water mixed in a cup of ice. Adding half-and-half or milk turns an Italian soda into a creamy or French soda. Some coffee shops add a dollop of whipped cream to create a creamier texture.
Surprisingly, the Italian soda recipe we know today didn’t originate in Italy. Some sources credit an Italian immigrant family living in San Francisco in the 1920s with preparing the family syrup and soda water drink. Using coffee flavors imported from Italy, the family blended their soda recipe in the back room of their grocery store. The drink soon became popular as an alternative to flavored coffees or espresso. Eventually, the recipe would be picked up and refined by major coffeehouse chains across the United States.
The key to a good Italian soda is a quality syrup. Companies originally offered flavored syrups designed specifically for coffee; hazelnut, vanilla, caramel and amaretto, for example. As the drink’s popularity increased, many companies began producing flavors inspired by fruit, cola, and liqueur extracts. Today, it’s not unusual to find 50 or more bottles of flavored syrup in a well-stocked cafe.
Many of these commercial syrups can be purchased for home use, both in retail stores and grocery stores. To make an Italian soda at home, you’ll need a bottle of syrup, club soda or seltzer water, large plastic cups, and ice cubes. You can also use half and half or cream. Start by adding two shots (about two ounces) of syrup to the bottom of the glass. Some sources suggest adding half-and-half or cream at this point and mixing thoroughly.
Next, add a generous amount of ice to the glass. Pour the seltzer or seltzer water over the ice. Gently stir the mixture a few times, but don’t shake vigorously. If desired, a dollop of whipped cream can be added to the top of the glass. Drink the finished Italian soda through a straw to mix all the flavors together.
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