I've never met anyone who doesn't like Italian sodas. Who doesn't love going to an old-timey diner, sitting on a stool at the counter and ordering a burger, fries and raspberry Italian soda? It just makes you feel like a kid again, and if you're actually a kid, it just makes you feel important. I think that's why I love making Italian sodas for Greta. When I give it to her and say, "Here Greta, I made this for you." She always gets a big smile on her face and say, "Oh! Thanks dad!" And dons her biggest smile.
Tender parent moment. Single tear shed, wiped away, time to get down to business. Making an Italian soda is no more difficult than pouring regular soda into a glass with ice - there are just three things you pour, instead of one. Let's go over ingredients.
First, the "soda" part. A lot of people use Sprite or 7-Up. Personally, I think this makes the sodas too sweet but feel free to use either one if you want. My favorite is this:
San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water. It tastes horrible on its own (my opinion), but is perfect for a light, fizzy Italian soda. You can buy it in just about any grocery store, or on Amazon here
Next, the cream part. ...um... it's literally just cream. Like, heavy cream, whipping cream, whatever your grocer calls it.
The final thing to add is your flavored syrup. Torani is what I use, and probably what 90% of the world uses.
My personal fave is the raspberry
So, recap. Here's what you need:
• San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water (or Sprite or 7-Up if you prefer)
• Torani Flavored Syrup
• Heavy Cream
• Ice
Put your ice in a glass, add about 3 Tablespoons of your syrup (less if using Sprite or 7-Up), 2 Tablespoons of heave cream, then fill your glass with the sparkling mineral water (about 1-1.5 cups). I mix mine together before serving, but you can just give it to people as is and let them stir it.
Now I know this doesn't seem like anything special. But how often do you make them for yourself? I've said it before, I'll say it again - "special" doesn't have to be difficult. It just has to be different from the norm. It just has to have a little more effort. So have some peeps over and mix up some Italian sodas. Or, better yet, get a bunch of syrups and set everything out and let people make their own. They're the perfect drink for a summertime evening barbecue and everyone will love them.
Cheers, folks! See ya'z tomorrow.
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oooo love those! When i worked the coffee bar of a hotel back in college I would always make them for myself. oh soooo good. I think i used club soda though (whatever was in the soda gun) I should try it with Pellegrino or perrier-thats way easier to keep on hand then a soda gun ;)
We used club soda at the bar, too. Then I found the Pellegrino. Never goin back. :)
This looks so tasty! I've actually never had an Italian cream soda.
And what a sweet story about Greta too. Kids have such wonderful reactions to even the simplest things.
I made my 3-year-old and sandwich for lunch and he said "thank you Mommy for building my lunch" with such a deep amount of gratitude. My heart swells with that stuff :)
Totally agree. Greta can be a handful, but there are times where she's just such a sweetheart, it melts me.
Oh yum! That sounds absolutely delicious!
Maybe it's a regional thing, but I've never seen an Italian Soda with cream in it--at least not here in Canada. Most places just do sparkling water and flavoured syrup. I remember discovering them when I was back in university and I used to LOVE raspberry & lime or peach & mandarin sodas. MMMM...that brings back good memories! Now I just have to track down some Torani syrup somewhere around here. :)
If you can't find a store with it, you can always order through Amazon.
Yum. I remember I used to be handed italian sodas without being stirred first and I was never sure if I should stir them before drinking. Also hilarious - I recently moved to France and am sitting here drinking a Pellegrino (yum) while I blog surf. Haha :)
Yeah, first time I had one it wasn't stirred up and I just stuck my straw in and got a mouth full of syrup. Even as a kid, that was too much sweet for me. The lady at the counter chuckled at me, put some more syrup in and stirred it up for me. The second go was much better. :)
I like Italian sodas in theory but always feel icky adding the cream. I'll take mine cream-free :)
Haha, well they're still delicious without the cream. :)
I had never heard of an italian soda with cream in it until I started working at a high-end coffee shop/cafe in college. Now blackberry italian sodas are one of my all-time favorite summer drinks (but it's hard to find the blackberry syrup! Amazon is the only place I've come across it). I love a peach too, with a little less cream in it.
Blackberry was a popular one for us, as well. So many options.
I second Angela......love all the drink recipes!
Glad you're liking it!
I usually don't pay much attention to food posts on design blogs, but I gotta say I really like everything you post and plan to try many once we settle into our new house next month. Thanks for the inspiration Chris!
You bet, Cosmo! Good luck with the move!
Sheesh. It's gotten to the point where I'll have to create a special Pinterest board just for your recipies since I seem to be pinning them all. Keep up the food posts!
You got it. :)
I'm loving this Friggen Easy Summertime Drinks series :) Keep it up!
Thanks Angela!
This has caught my attention because I have never seen this drink in Italy! I have seen a version of this in Australia but it is soda (pop) with a scoop of ice cream. Do you know the origins of this drink?
Yeah, who knows why some things become labeled as part of a cuisine. It's like my post I did on sweet and sour chicken. Not even remotely Chinese.
This looks yummy & easy! Thanks for the inspiration.
You bet!