Italian Soda
These fun and refreshing Italian Sodas are an easy three-ingredient drink kids can mix themselves, making them the perfect customizable party treat or cool-down drink for warm days!
What Are Italian Sodas?
It’s a really simple carbonated drink made with flavored syrup. There are countless flavors you can make – we love fruit ones like lemon, strawberry, peach, orange, and cherry.
The recipe for Italian sodas typically include half and half and a whipped cream topping. We love Italian cream soda so the creamy part is non-negotiable for us!
Maybe you’re wondering if this drink is from Italy? Surprisingly, it’s not – it was created in the US! The drink was actually created by Torani, a US-based company that makes flavored syrups.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Our Italian soda recipe is totally customizable. Mix and match flavors or stick to classics – either way, you’re in for a real treat!
- This is a fun alternative to alcoholic beverages that everyone can enjoy.
- Kids can make this delicious drink on their own, or with little supervision. Everyone will be refreshed and the kids will feel a little more independent – that’s a win!
Ingredients For Italian Soda
- Crushed ice – Crushed ice makes drinks easier to stir. You can even freeze your own crushed ice at home.
- Flavored syrup – Any kind that sounds good to you! We love fruit syrups, but there are lots to choose from. Torani syrups are a popular brand with a ton of options. They’re easy to find online and you can buy several so everyone can make their own Italian soda. You can even get sugar free syrups if you want!
- Half and half – This is the traditional ingredient but you can use heavy cream, too. You may want to add less since it’s a lot richer.
- Club soda / soda water – This adds the fizz! You can also use seltzer water, but it may add a slightly different flavor.
- Whipped cream – This is optional but makes a nice garnish.
- Garnish– Use fresh fruit to spruce up your drink. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, sliced limes, sliced oranges, and lemon slices all work well depending on the flavor of your drink. Maraschino cherries and fresh herbs like mint and basil can be delicious with the right flavored soda, too.
Italian Soda Flavor Combinations
What’s fun about this drink recipe is that you can mix and match syrups to come up with fun flavors! Here are a few favorite flavors you might like to try:
- Berry Soda: Combine strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry syrup.
- Lemon-Lime: The name says it all with this one! Mix equal parts lemon syrup and lime syrup for a tart soda.
- Strawberry-Banana: Yes, they make banana syrup and it’s great mixed with strawberry!
- Chocolate-Cherry: This is a classic flavor combo and works great in a cream soda.
- Creamsicle: Mix orange syrup with half and half and top it off with whipped cream.
- Pina Colada: How does pineapple and coconut sound? Mix those two syrups and you’ll have a tropical drink!
- Vanilla Peach: This is a refreshing combo you’ll love, plus try making homemade vanilla syrup.
Can I Make This Drink Dairy Free?
Yes! You can either leave out the cream completely or use your favorite milk alternative.
How to Make Italian Soda
- Fill glasses to 3/4 full with crushed ice and pour club soda over the top.
- Add the flavored syrup and half and half. Stir to combine.
- Top with whipped cream, if desired, and stir again.
- Garnish the rims with fresh fruit for garnish.
Pro Tips
- To avoid your drink curdling, be sure to add the ingredients in the order they appear in the recipe.
- Keep your serving glasses in the freezer so the drinks are extra cold and refreshing.
Can you make them ahead?
Because this is a carbonated drink I don’t recommend making it ahead of time. If you do, the soda will go flat and the half and half could curdle depending on the flavor you make.
Kids and adults will love sipping on these colorful, deliciously creamy Italian sodas! They’re so fun to make and the flavor combos are endless. Make them tonight and enjoy or set up a drink station for your next party. Your guests will love this cold and delicious drink.
If you make this soda recipe and share your pics on Instagram make sure to #kidsactivityzone or tag us @kidsactivityzoneblog so we can see them!
Italian Soda
Ingredients
- Crushed ice to fill glass ¾ full
- 3-4 Tablespoons flavored syrup
- 2 Tablespoons half-and-half
- ½ – ¾ cup club soda depending on the size of your glass
- Whipped cream optional
- Fresh fruit optional
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass about ¾ full of ice.
- Add ½ – ¾ cup club soda, more if you have a large glass.
- Add 3-4 tablespoons flavored syrup, more or less if you like.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons half-and-half.
- Top with whipped cream and fruit, if desired.
- Stir and drink immediately.
Nutrition
More Fun and Easy Recipes
- Berry Smoothies are a delicious way to start the day or have as a midday pick me up when energy dips.
- For the holidays, you should try our Grinch Punch for a festive party drink that everyone will love.
- If you’re a big chocolate fan, be sure to try out Frozen Hot Chocolate. Kids can keep cool and make it themselves with only 4 ingredients.
- Make some Rock Candy with the kiddos! It’s a fun and educational project that you get to eat.
