Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Soda (Classic Soda Fountain Method)
This old-fashioned ice cream soda is made using the classic soda fountain method to create a smooth, creamy, fizzy treat that’s ready in minutes. It’s an easy recipe that brings the timeless flavor of an authentic soda fountain beverage right into your own kitchen.
What is an old-fashioned ice cream soda?
An old-fashioned ice cream soda is a classic soda fountain drink made with flavored syrup, club soda, heavy cream, and scoops of ice cream, then finished with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Creamy, lightly fizzy, and wonderfully refreshing, it’s a nostalgic treat that was once a staple of soda fountains and ice cream shoppes throughout the United States but is surprisingly hard to find today.
I worked in a restaurant with an ice cream-themed dessert menu for 17 years, and I can tell you that many people have never had an authentic old-fashioned ice cream soda — or even know what one is. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to share this classic recipe and help keep this timeless soda fountain favorite alive for a new generation.
If you’re a fan of nostalgic ice cream drinks, be sure to try my homemade ice cream float, blueberry milkshake with cheesecake flavor, and tropical milkshake with fresh fruit. They’re all easy to make at home and perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
Are there other names for ice cream sodas?
Depending on where you grew up, you may hear an old-fashioned ice cream soda called a soda fountain soda or simply a soda. While ice cream sodas were served alongside other classic fountain drinks like phosphates, egg creams, milkshakes, and malteds, those are separate beverages with their own ingredients and traditions.
Who invented this beverage?
The old-fashioned ice cream soda is widely credited to Philadelphia soda fountain owner Robert M. Green, who introduced the drink in 1874. According to the story most often told, he ran out of sweet cream during a busy day and substituted vanilla ice cream instead. The new drink quickly became a customer favorite and remains one of the best-known creations of the American soda fountain.
The people who prepared these drinks were known as soda jerks, a nickname inspired by the quick jerking motion they used to pull soda fountain handles and pump flavored syrups into each glass.
What does this beverage taste like?
An old-fashioned ice cream soda is sweet, creamy, and lightly fizzy with a smooth, velvety texture that’s richer than a soft drink but lighter than a milkshake. The flavored syrup provides most of the sweetness, while the club soda adds gentle bubbles that keep the drink refreshing instead of heavy. As the ice cream slowly melts into the glass, every sip becomes a little creamier than the last.
Even after making and drinking them for years, I’ve never found culinary words that completely capture the experience of an old-fashioned ice cream soda. The flavor is easy to enjoy but surprisingly difficult to describe.
Instead, I’ll say this: an old-fashioned ice cream soda tastes like the first sip of something you’ve been looking forward to all day. It’s refreshing, comforting, and just a little nostalgic all at once. If you’ve never had one before, you’ll understand exactly what I mean after the very first sip.
What are the best flavor combos for ice cream sodas?
Traditional soda fountains usually kept things simple, serving old-fashioned ice cream sodas in classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Those timeless combinations are still some of the very best, but today’s wide variety of flavored syrups makes it easy to create your own signature soda.
If you’re making your first ice cream soda, start with one of these tried-and-true combinations:
- Classic Vanilla: Vanilla syrup with vanilla ice cream.
- Classic Chocolate: Chocolate syrup with chocolate ice cream.
- Classic Strawberry: Strawberry syrup with strawberry ice cream.
- Black and White: Chocolate syrup with vanilla ice cream, one of the most beloved soda fountain combinations.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup: Chocolate syrup with peanut butter ice cream.
- Vanilla Blueberry Cream: Vanilla syrup with blueberry ice cream.
- Strawberry Pineapple: Strawberry syrup with pineapple ice cream.
- Cherry Vanilla: Cherry syrup with vanilla ice cream.
- Root Beer Cream: Root beer syrup with vanilla ice cream.
- Orange Cream: Orange syrup with vanilla ice cream.
Once you’ve mastered the classics, don’t be afraid to experiment. Nearly any combination of flavored syrup and ice cream can become your own signature old-fashioned ice cream soda.
Recipe ingredients
- Club Soda: Club soda provides the carbonation that gives an old-fashioned ice cream soda its refreshing sparkle. Use well-chilled club soda and pour it gently to preserve as much carbonation as possible.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream gives an old-fashioned ice cream soda its signature rich, silky texture. As it’s stirred into the flavored syrup and club soda, it creates the smooth, creamy base that makes this classic soda fountain drink so distinctive.
- Flavored Syrup: Flavored syrup gives an old-fashioned ice cream soda its sweetness and signature flavor. Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are the traditional favorites, but today’s wide variety of syrups makes it easy to create your own unique flavor combinations.
- Ice Cream: Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are the traditional flavors found in old-fashioned soda fountains, but you can experiment with nearly any combination of syrup and ice cream. Choose a high-quality ice cream with a rich, creamy texture, since it plays a major role in both the flavor and consistency of the finished drink.
- Whipped Cream: Whipped cream is an optional topping, but it gives an old-fashioned ice cream soda the classic soda fountain finish. For the freshest flavor and lightest texture, try my whipped cream from scratch.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make an ice cream soda
Step 1: Pour the club soda into a tall 16 ounce soda fountain glass.
Step 2: Add the heavy cream and flavored syrup. Stir gently until the syrup is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
Step 3: Slowly lower the scoops of ice cream into the glass one at a time. As each scoop sinks into the soda, the drink will foam naturally.
Step 4: Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, if desired. Serve immediately with a straw and a long spoon while the soda is cold and the foam is at its peak.
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Top tips
- Chill the Glass: A cold glass helps keep the soda colder longer and slows the melting of the ice cream, giving you more time to enjoy the drink at its best.
- Add Ice Cream Slowly: Lower each scoop gently into the glass instead of dropping it in. This helps control the foam and prevents the soda from overflowing.
- Use Fresh Club Soda: Open a fresh bottle or can just before making the drink. Freshly opened club soda has the strongest carbonation and produces the liveliest ice cream soda.
- Enjoy It Right Away: Old-fashioned ice cream sodas are at their best immediately after they’re assembled, while the carbonation is lively, the foam is full, and the ice cream is just beginning to soften.
Other recipes you’ll love
If you loved this ice cream beverage recipe, give these other great beverage recipes a try too!
Chai Milkshake Recipe
Pumpkin milkshake
Orange Creamsicle Milkshake
Malted Milkshake Recipe (Classic Old-Fashioned Malt)
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe
Easy Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade
Old Fashioned Ice Cream Soda
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup club soda
- 4 oz flavored syrup
- 2 oz heavy cream
- 1/2 cup ice cream
- 4 tablespoons whipped cream
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Add base: Pour club soda, flavored syrup, and heavy cream into a 16 oz glass.
- Mix well: Stir gently until combined.
- Add ice cream: Drop in 2 scoops of ice cream.
- Top it off: Add a dollop of whipped cream and finish with a maraschino cherry.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy while cold and bubbly.
Notes
- Use well-chilled ingredients for the creamiest texture and the longest-lasting carbonation.
- Add the ice cream slowly to help control the foam and prevent the soda from overflowing.
- Any flavored syrup can be used, but vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry create the most traditional soda fountain flavors.
- This recipe is best enjoyed immediately after assembling, while the soda is still fully carbonated and the ice cream is just beginning to soften.
- Whipped cream and a maraschino cherry are optional, but they give the finished drink its classic soda fountain presentation.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
oh my! I need to try this with my kids. In the UK the closest I’ve ever had to something like this would be an ice cream float, which is just fizzy lemonade with a dollop of ice cream on top. It’s really refreshing but this looks epic. Thanks for sharing x
I’ve never heard of using fizzy lemonade. Sounds great! In the US a float is just soda (root beer, coke, etc …) with ice cream in it. I’m going to have to try the lemonade 😉
I’m in AZ been here 20 yrs can’t seem to find any ice cream shops that will make ice cream sodas wonder why?
They were made at the restaurant that I worked at for many years. But not available anywhere else in my area. Many times over the years people asked what they were because people here weren’t familiar with them. And, on the other hand, we are close enough to a city that’s known for them. So vacationers from that city got excited to have them available here. I don’t think they’re very common anywhere anymore. I could be wrong about that. But it sure seems that way from where I’m sitting.
When I went to a certain store with my mother sometimes we would stop for lunch. It was always an egg salad stockman sandwich and a chocolate soda. One of the highlights of my childhood! I recently bought some club soda to make these. Can’t wait!
Ohhhhh! I know the type of store you’re refering to. I do wish these stores would make a comeback. Shopping was an experience then. I hope you enjoy your ice cream soda. Might I suggest you make an egg salad sandwich to go with it? 😉
I’m looking forward to making this.
I have had this so many years ago and they are addictive.
If I remember right the club soda made the ice cream a little icy. I loved it
We had an old drug store that would make them. I was in there almost every day
I hope you enjoy this recipe. May it transport you back to that little drug store for a few moments 😉
I’ve been looking for a strawberry ice cream soda for years. Eager to try this. Had no idea the recipe called for heavy cream. Many years ago I would enjoy them from a dairy cafe in Jefferson City, MO. Moved away long time ago and no luck finding the same flavor. Thanks for sharing!
So happy to be able to share the recipe with you. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it 😉
This is my favorite ice cream treat. I’ve always had them made with milk in place of the heavy cream. I love the way the milk buffers the chocolate syrup and club soda just enough to make them blend, but leaves enough fizz to give the hard ice cream an icy edge–call it chemistry! Knowing how to make one of these is the mark of a real ice cream parlor, however,
with the advent of specialty brand ice cream stores and soft serve many no longer teach their employees how to make these. Thanks for providing the ingredient portions in oz., I was trying to teach an employee in a store that used to make them how to do it just last week….
There is no where in the area that I live to get one of these anymore. They have definitely disappeared around here. Makes me a little sad. BUT I can make them at home. And it is my pleasure to be able to provide the instructions to others. So … you’re welcome! Thank you for your feedback!
When I was growing up in the Wilkes Barre area of Pa., we had a local restaurant sized dairy bar, Grablicks, and they made those and they were fantastic. The only thing they did differently was they would shoot some whipped cream to coat the sides of the glass, then the syrup then the big shot of seltzer water and then the ice cream. with more whipped cream and a cherry. Delicious. They also made one called a Skyscraper that came in a glass that was so tall, you had to stand up to sip through the extra long straw. When you were done with that one, you could almost hear your stomach slosh when you walked, but boy was it good. Gotta go shopping now for syrup and ice cream and maraschino cherries. Have one of those Soda Streams so I can make my own seltzer. Chocolate burps after, yum.
Coating the glass with whipped cream is an interesting twist. I’ll have to try it sometime. Thanks for sharing your memories of this delightful sounding dairy bar. I hope you enjoy your ‘home made’ ice cream sodas 😉
Just an FYI….as a native New Yorker, I can say that an egg cream is not the same as an ice cream soda. Egg creams do not have ice cream in them.
Also none of these drinks are authentically made with club soda…they are made with seltzer, which is not the same thing. Seltzer is merely carbonated water, while club soda has minerals in it, giving it a slightly salty taste.
That said, your article has inspired me to make a coffee ice cream soda to go with my lunch!
Hi Sandra! As I’m reading your comment I’m realizing that I actually know that egg creams don’t have ice cream in them. A tidbit of info I had forgotten. Thank you for jogging my memory. Hope you enjoyed your ice cream soda 😉
I hope you enjoy this classic old-fashioned ice cream soda — it’s the perfect nostalgic treat that’s both creamy and fizzy! If you give the recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out — please leave a review and share your experience! If you have any questions or need help along the way, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m always happy to assist and can’t wait to hear how your ice cream soda turns out!
Exactly how I remember ice cream sodas as a child! Perfection!
Glad to have sparked a childhood memory! Love that I was able to do that 😉
Wonderfully delicious! My husband loves old fashion soda fountains! Thank you!
You’re so very welcome! Enjoy!
I am 83 yr I Have had many ice cream soda as you just subscribed.we had a neighborhood drug store all the friends met at for milkshakes,sundys, and of course ice cream sodas. I just had a rootbeer float and was thinking of what soda I use to buy for to make an ice cream soda. Thank you for the name of CLUB SODA.
Tomorrow I will enjoy the treat. You take care and thanks again.
You are so very welcome! It warms my heart to think that I helped you find the name you were looking for. I hope you are blessed by every sip of your ice cream soda.