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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / How to Make An Ice Cream Soda

How to Make An Ice Cream Soda

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 5/22/20Updated: 8/24/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

ice cream soda with a straw

Create an old fashioned ice cream soda like they use to serve at the local lunch counter at home! With just a few ingredients you can enjoy this delicious treat.

ice cream soda

I am lucky to have grown up in the mid-west town of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

My high school was right downtown and we had an open lunch hour which meant we could leave the school at lunchtime. sometimes my friends and I would head over to the Woolworth’s, the local five and dime that was right downtown.

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Woolworths had a little bit of everything. It was the Target of its’ day. I bought sewing supplies there and they even carried pet supplies and pets!  The thing I loved most about Woolworth’s was that it had a lunch counter. (Thanks to Google Images I was able to find a photo of the actual lunch counter from my Woolworths!)

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You could sit there on a stool and enjoy a hamburger or a grilled cheese sandwich and of course a milkshake.   

One of my favorite things to enjoy at the soda fountain or ice cream parlor was a chocolate ice cream soda.  Making the perfect one at home is so easy!

Ingredients Needed

  • Vanilla Ice cream
  • Chocolate syrup. I use Hershey’s syrup.
  • Soda/seltzer water
  • Whip cream
  • Sprinkles
ice cream soda

How to Make An Old Fashioned Ice Cream Soda

  • Add chocolate syrup into glass. I like to start with a frosted or chilled glass. The amount of syrup you will add depends on the size of your glass. I used about 2 Tablespoons of chocolate syrup to 1/2 C soda/seltzer water.  
adding chocolate syrup to glass
  • Add in soda/seltzer water.
adding soda to ice cream soda glass
  • Scoop in scoops of ice cream to reach the top of the glass.
scoops of ice cream in  a glass
  • Top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Add a straw and long spoon.
ice cream soda

Tips from Leigh Anne

  1. A fun flavor variation is to use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.
  2. Garnish with some whipped cream and a maraschino cherry or sprinkles for fun.

The last thing left to do is add a spoon and a straw and dig it!

ice cream soda

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an ice cream soda and ice cream floats?

An ice cream soda is made with soda water, syrup, and ice cream. An ice cream float is made with soda and ice cream. Root beer floats or Orange Cream Floats are popular flavors for ice cream floats.

Can I use other flavored syrups?

You can use any favorite flavors you have. Strawberry is another favorite at our house.

Try these other ice cream treats:

  • Ice Cream Float Bar
  • How to Make A Cherry Float
  • Root Beer Float Cookies
  • Root Beer Float Ice Cream

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

5 from 2 votes

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Soda

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Create an old fashioned ice cream soda like they use to serve at the local lunch counter at home! With just a few ingredients you can enjoy this delicious treat.
serves: 1 ice cream soda
Prep:5 minutes minutes
Total:5 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 large scoops vanilla ice cream
  • 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
  • 1/2 cup seltzer or soda water
  • whip cream and sprinkles to garnish

Instructions

  • Pour chocolate syrup and soda water into glass.
  • Stir to mix well.
  • Add in ice cream
  • Top with whip cream and sprinkles.

Tips & Notes:

  • A fun flavor variation is to use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.
  • Garnish with some whipped cream and a maraschino cherry or sprinkles for fun.

Recommended Products

Measuring Cups
Ice Cream Scoop

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 385kcal (19%) Carbohydrates: 57g (19%) Protein: 5g (10%) Fat: 15g (23%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 58mg (19%) Sodium: 159mg (7%) Potassium: 355mg (10%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 48g (53%) Vitamin A: 556IU (11%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 180mg (18%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
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5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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  1. loray says

    Posted on 11/6 at 6:56 am

    going to try it

    Reply
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