Chocolate Ice Cream Soda
Beat the summer heat with a delightful chocolate ice cream soda. This easy recipe combines chocolate syrup, ice cream, and bubbly soda.
This old-fashioned ice cream soda is one of my favorite summer treats! A frosty chocolate ice cream soda satisfies on so many levels, and this recipe ticks all the boxes. With ice cream, rich chocolate flavor, refreshing club soda, and rich and creamy whipped cream, it’s a drink and a dessert in a glass! You might not remember the 5-and-dime lunch counters and soda fountains of the 1950s and ’60s, but this was a popular item on the menus. Chocolate syrup, milk, chocolate ice cream, and carbonated soda are the main ingredients. With a topping of whipped cream and a cherry, cookie crumbs, or chocolate sprinkles, it’s simply delicious!
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- Classic soda-shop flavor. This recipe gives you that nostalgic chocolate soda fountain experience without needing any specialty equipment. The blend of chocolate syrup, milk, and fizzy soda creates a familiar and comforting taste that appeals to all ages.
- Quick and effortless. With only a few ingredients and a couple of minutes of assembly, this treat comes together faster than most desserts. It’s ideal for last-minute cravings or for serving guests without any prep work.
- Customizable sweetness. Because the chocolate syrup and club soda ratios are flexible, you can tailor the drink to your preferred level of chocolate intensity. Add more syrup for richness or a little extra soda for a lighter, frothier drink.
- Fun presentation. Layering syrup, ice cream, soda, and whipped cream creates a tall, impressive dessert drink that feels festive and fun. It’s also highly photogenic if you enjoy sharing treats online or styling for entertaining.
- Kid-friendly and adult-friendly. Kids love the bubbly sweetness, while adults appreciate how refreshing the drink feels compared to heavier ice-cream desserts. It’s an easy option to please a crowd with minimal effort.
Ingredient Notes
- Chocolate syrup – Any classic bottled chocolate syrup works well here. Premium syrups or homemade versions will give a deeper cocoa flavor, while traditional brands create a sweeter, nostalgic taste.
- Whole milk – A splash of milk adds creaminess and helps the chocolate blend smoothly. You can use 2% or non-dairy milk if preferred, though the drink may be slightly less rich.
- Chocolate ice cream – Use a high-quality chocolate ice cream for the most flavorful soda, but any style works. Vanilla ice cream can be swapped in for a lighter, malt-shop profile.
- Club soda – This provides the bubbly lift that defines an ice cream soda. Avoid flavored sparkling waters, which can affect the taste. Seltzer or tonic are not recommended because they alter sweetness or add bitterness.
- Whipped cream – Freshly whipped cream gives the best texture, but canned or tub-style topping works just as well for convenience.
- Toppings – A maraschino cherry is classic, but sprinkles or chocolate shavings add a fun finishing touch.
Steps to Make Chocolate Ice Cream Soda
- Add the chocolate syrup and milk to the bottom of each glass and stir until the mixture is smooth and blended. This ensures the chocolate distributes evenly and doesn’t settle at the bottom.
- Scoop the ice cream into each glass, letting it gently nestle into the chocolate mixture. As the soda is added, the ice cream will begin to float slightly and create a creamy foam.
- Slowly pour in the club soda to avoid overflowing. Let the bubbles rise naturally while the drink becomes frothy and well-aerated.
- Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and your chosen garnish. Serve immediately while the soda is still fizzy and the ice cream is soft but not melted.
Pro Tips
- Stir the syrup and milk thoroughly before adding the soda to prevent chocolate from sinking to the bottom.
- Pour the soda slowly along the inside of the glass to control the foam and avoid overflow.
- Chill the glasses ahead of time if you want the drink to stay cold longer and maintain its layered look.
- Choose tall soda fountain–style glasses to allow room for fizzing and toppings.
- Experiment with adding a splash of chocolate milk or malt powder for a richer old-fashioned style.
Recipe Variations
- Soda: Instead of club soda, use seltzer water, ginger ale, or sparkling mineral water.
- Ice Cream: You can replace all or part of the chocolate ice cream with vanilla or Neapolitan, or this mocha ice cream.
- Strawberry Ice Cream Soda: Swap the chocolate syrup for strawberry syrup and use strawberry or vanilla ice cream.
- Minty Twist: Swap in mint chocolate chip ice cream for a refreshing flavor.
- Coffee Kick: Add a splash of espresso to the mixture for mocha flavor, and use mocha ice cream if you have it.
- For the Adults: Add a splash of coffee liqueur, bourbon, or Irish cream for a boozy twist.
How to Store
- Refrigerate
Ice cream sodas don’t store well once assembled, as the soda loses its fizz and the ice cream melts quickly. If you need to prepare components in advance, keep the chocolate syrup mixture chilled separately and assemble just before serving. - Freeze
Freezing the finished drink is not recommended. The texture becomes icy and the carbonation disappears. Only the ice cream can be kept frozen until needed. - Refresh
If the drink sits for a few minutes and starts losing fizz, you can add a small splash of fresh club soda to brighten the texture, though it won’t fully restore the original foam.
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda
Beat the summer heat with a cold and delicious chocolate ice cream soda!
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 scoops chocolate ice cream
- 2 cups club soda
- 2/3 cup whipped cream, or whipped topping
- 2 Maraschino cherries, or sprinkles, for topping
Instructions
- Divide the chocolate syrup and milk between two tall glasses and stir to blend.
- Add 2 scoops of ice cream to each glass.
- Fill the glasses with club soda and top with whipped cream.
- Top with a cherry or sprinkles. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 121mgPotassium: 264mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 238IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 1mg
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
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