Sweet, creamy, fizzy. Italian cream sodas are one of my favorite treats when I need a pick-me-up or on a hot day. The creamy fizzy combination is so addicting and way too easy to make. This blackberry vanilla Italian cream soda is my favorite flavor!

Customizable sodas have been a thing for a while but have recently increased in popularity (i.e., dirty sodas). Italian cream soda can have any flavor from blackberry to strawberry to peach. They’re easy to make and take only 3 ingredients and less than 5 minutes.

Here’s how to make a blackberry vanilla cream soda at home!

What is an Italian Cream Soda?

An Italian cream soda is precisely what it sounds like: cream and soda. However, an Italian cream soda, or cremosa, uses flavored syrup, usually made from fruits, carbonated water, and ice.

It usually has less sugar than the soda that is made commercially. Then, to top off the drink, heavy cream or half and half is added for a creamy twist.

And, like French fries, which are not from France, Italian cream sodas are not from Italy! Rinaldo and Ezilda Torres, an Italian immigrant couple in San Francisco, created Italian sodas using syrups brought back from Italy in 1925. The popular soda fountains inspired them in the early 1900s!

Coincidentally, they also started the famous Torani syrup brand, which you’ll see in any grocery store!

Cream Soda vs. Italian Soda vs. Regular Soda

You might wonder the difference between cream, Italian, and regular sodas.

Cream soda is actually a specific type of soda or sweet soft drink that tastes like a vanilla ice cream float, usually made with cola or root beer. The name is misleading because most cream sodas don’t have dairy in them and only reference the vanilla flavor in the drink.

As mentioned, Italian sodas or Italian cream sodas are made with fruit-flavored syrups, carbonated water, ice, and half and half or cream or whipped cream. They’re generally less sweet and made with natural fruit or flavorings.

Regular sodas, like Coca-Cola, Sprite, etc., are made with heavily processed sweeteners, water, phosphoric acid, and caffeine. They’re mainly artificial and much sweeter, with about 40 g of sugar per serving.

Does Cream and Soda Taste Good?

Yes! If you’ve ever had an ice cream float, which is vanilla ice cream in soda, that’s a delicious version of cream in soda.

There are so many variations of dairy or cream in soda, like dirty sodas, milk coke, pepsi milk, Doodh soda, etc., so it’s a well-known combination.

The cream or milk helps make the soda creamy, which is crazy delicious with sugar and a little fizz. The cream also helps balance some flavors, making your soda taste like a creamsicle!

I think cream in soda tastes refreshing, especially with fruit flavors.

Why Does Cream Separate in Soda?

If you’ve ever done an elementary school science experiment, chances are you’ve mixed milk and Coke to find the milk curdle in the drink. This is because the milk reacts with the phosphoric acid, a preservative acid, which causes the milk proteins to clump up.

The cream will also separate in Italian sodas made with citrus or any acidic fruit. To avoid this from happening, add cream to sodas made without acidity.

However, it’s not bad for you to drink, and it may be unpleasant, but there’s bound to be at least a little separation if you’re drinking an Italian cream soda.

How to Make Fruit Syrup

For Italian cream sodas, you can use premade or homemade syrups. While store-bought syrups are more convenient, they’re generally not the healthiest and are sometimes made with artificial flavorings.

Making homemade fruit syrups is the best because you can control the sugar level and use natural flavorings. Plus, you get to customize it to your taste!

You can easily make fruit syrups by simmering a one-fourth cup of fruit, water, and a half tablespoon of sugar in a small pot until the sugar dissolves and the fruit juices cook out. You may have to press or mash your fruit to get the juices out.

Where to Get Fruit Syrup

You can buy premade syrup conveniently from the grocery store or online. Most big grocery retailers carry the more popular flavors like strawberry or raspberry, and you may be able to find other flavors like passion fruit, mango, etc.

However, buying syrups online is best because there’s a broader selection, and you don’t have to commute anywhere just to see what syrups they have.

Popular brands are Torani, Monin, and 183, and you’ll find every flavor under the sun, from fruit to dessert to spices. There are also specific lines they carry that are made with natural cane sugar and flavorings as well.

Do Blackberry and Vanilla Go Together?

Blackberries and vanilla are one of my favorite flavor combinations ever. Blackberries are slightly sweet, a little tart, and super juicy, while vanilla is soft, creamy, and almost floral in flavor.

Together, especially with cream or milk, they make an amazing flavor duo out of this world. Tart, sweet, and creamy always work well together.

Think raspberry cheesecake, Italian cream soda, strawberry ice cream, strawberry milk, etc. When you eat it, you get a burst of fresh, juicy flavor, and you finish off with a nice, rounded vanilla that lingers.

It’s so popular that there are even perfumes with the scent!

How to Make Blackberry Vanilla Italian Cream Soda

To make blackberry vanilla Italian cream soda at home, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup blackberries (Fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 tbsp sugar (for syrup) and 1 tsp for the drink
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream
• 1 cup sparkling water
• 1 cup ice

Blackberry Vanilla Italian Cream Soda Recipe

First, add water, sugar, and blackberries to a small pan or pot to make the blackberry syrup and heat it on low to medium heat. Dissolve the sugar and let the blackberry juices seep out as it cooks. Mash the blackberries with a fork or potato masher to get all the juices.

Let the liquid cook down until half the water has evaporated. The liquid should be more viscous but still runny. Let cool before use.

Add whipping cream and sugar to a small bowl or cup to make the whipped cream. Whip until soft peaks form using an electric or handheld whisk.

Add ice, sparkling water, and blackberry syrup into a separate cup. Top with your whipped cream and garnish with a blackberry and mint leaf (optional).

Mix and enjoy!

Popular Italian Cream Soda Flavors

Not a fan of blackberry and vanilla? No worries! The beauty of making your own sodas at home is that you can customize it to your tastes. Here are some popular Italian cream soda flavors to try:

• Orange or Blood Orange
• Strawberry
• Raspberry
• Pomegranate
• Peach
• Cherry

Tips

Here are some tips for making a fantastic blackberry vanilla Italian cream soda at home!

• If you accidentally over-boil your syrup, add a 1/4 cup of water, dissolve the sugar, and reboil it.
• For a more vibrant color, use food coloring! You can also use food dye or natural food coloring; just make sure it doesn’t impart a new flavor.
• For convenience, skip whipping the cream and add it straight to your drink for a more traditional Italian cream soda.