This strawberry Italian soda is a sweet and refreshing strawberry cream soda that’s perfect for spring and summer. It uses a homemade strawberry syrup to add bold berry flavor to a bubbly and creamy soda pop. If you were a fan of strawberry Nesquik growing up, you’re definitely going to want to add this to your “to-make” list!
Growing up with an Italian grandmother who lived with us meant we got to enjoy so many homemade treats. One of my favorite memories of my grandma was talking with her about the food she loved from our culture. A lot of my homemade soda recipes are based on classic Italian flavors my grandma loved, like limonata and grapefruit soda.
This strawberry soda is a fun nod to those classic Italian sodas from old school soda fountain shops! It uses an easy to make strawberry syrup (made with REAL berries, nothing artificial!) and you can use the milk or cream of your choice! The result is a cool and creamy treat that’s sure to quench your thirst while also providing a good dose of fun! 😛
why this strawberry italian soda recipe works:
🍓 bursting with berry flavor. While traditional Italian sodas are made with store-bought syrup, this recipe features fresh homemade strawberry simple syrup.
🥳 fun & nostalgic. The days of soda fountains may be long gone, but you can tap into the simple joys of childhood with this easy-to-make drink.
✨ layered magic. This soda is great for sipping on literally any afternoon, but it’s also a true showstopper to serve at parties and gatherings! It has distinct layers that look complex to make, but it’s actually super simple!
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 step-by-step process for making strawberry soda
1: Fill your preferred glass with ice.
2: Pour 1 ounce of strawberry syrup into the glass.
3: Add soda water to the glass, filling 3/4 full.
4: Carefully layer 1 ounce of cream or milk on top of the soda water.
5: Top your soda with whipped cream.
6: Garnish with a strawberry and serve immediately.
💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ how to serve your homemade sodas
- pool parties or barbecues – this soda is perfect for spring or summer outdoor gatherings! It is quick to make, and impressive to serve. You can mix the base of simple syrup and soda water in a pitcher, and then top it with cream or milk as you serve it to your guests.
- brunch – this drink is great for brunches! You can add vodka if you want to serve it spiked, or you can serve it as a mocktail in a champagne glass or coupe for a fun twist.
- movie night – this is the perfect after-dinner drink for a movie night in! Might I recommend the Pixar movie Luca while sipping on this strawberry soda?! 😌 🇮🇹
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- color is too light – Using a non-dairy milk may affect the coloring of this beverage, but since such a small amount of milk or cream is added, it shouldn’t affect the texture much. If you want a bolder colored soda, you can add a drop of pink or red food coloring!
- not flavorful enough – more syrup = more flavor, so you can add up to 2 ounces of syrup per drink.
⚖️ scaling tips
If you want to make a pitcher of these sodas, I recommend mixing the syrup and soda water first, shortly before serving, to maintain maximum fizziness. Simply top each beverage with milk or cream before serving.
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♻️ customize your strawberry soda pop
- milk of your choice – instead of cream, you can use whole milk, half and half, or your favorite non-dairy milk. Oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk would work great!
- store-bought syrup – use a store-bought syrup if you can’t make your own, of if you don’t want to! I recommend using Torani syrup or Monin syrup if you are opting for a store-bought syrup. There are also sugar-free options available if you are limiting your sugar consumption.
- different fruit– You can customize this soda with any simple syrup you like! Try it with blueberry simple syrup, pineapple simple syrup, or even passion fruit simple syrup!
- spiked – add in 1 – 2 ounces of vodka or rum to spike this soda!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 how to store homemade sodas
Because this soda is super bubbly from carbonation and contains milk or cream, it is best to enjoy it shortly after you make it.
💬 q+a
What is an Italian soda?
Italian soda is made from combining soda water, or seltzer water, with a flavored syrup, like simple syrup. Sometimes cream or milk is added to give it a luxurious, velvety flavor. You may see Italian sodas with cream be called a “cremosa.”
How is an Italian soda different than an American soda?
Italian sodas are not much different than American sodas. Sometimes, they have actual juices in them instead of being artificially flavored. However, they still may contain syrups or flavorings that are shelf-stable, and not freshly made.
Why is it called an Italian soda?
Italian sodas were claimed to be invented by Ezilda and Rinaldo Torre in San Francisco in the 1920’s. They rode the wave of popularity of soda fountains, and introduced the Italian soda as their variation on popular soda-fountain favorites.
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Strawberry Italian Soda
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Equipment
- 1 highball glass
- 1 straw
Ingredients
- 1 ounce strawberry simple syrup
- 6 ounces soda water unflavored
- 1 ounce heavy cream substitute whole milk or half and half
- ice to fill glass
Instructions
- Fill your preferred glass with ice.
- Pour 1 ounce of strawberry syrup into the glass.
- Add soda water to the glass, filling 3/4 full.
- Carefully layer 1 ounce of cream or milk on top of the soda water.
- Garnish with whipped cream and a strawberry.
- Drizzle on additional strawberry syrup if desired, and serve immediately with a straw.
This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors !
Thanks, Suzanne! It’s really a refreshing soda! 😊
Thanks for sharing! Does keep it long?
Hi Vanessa! Because of the milk or cream in this soda, it’s best to drink it right away.
If you want to prep it in advance, you can combine the syrup and soda water in an airtight bottle with a stopper to keep the carbonation, then you can add the cream or milk right before serving. 👩🏻🍳