Easy, refreshing, and fun, Italian Cream Soda is the perfect non-alcoholic drink and special treat to serve on a hot summer day! It's just 4 ingredients (including ice!) and takes less than 5 minutes to prep and serve!

We love family-friendly beverage options that everyone can enjoy. Other reader favorites are our Virgin Piña Coladas, Brazilian Lemonade, and Non-Alcoholic Mint Juleps.

a glass of italian soda garnished with fresh fruit and raspberry peach syrups in frame


If your local coffee shop sells Italian sodas, you’re probably familiar with the concept. The barista mixes them up on the spot with sparkling water and fruity syrups, making a refreshing alternative to caffeinated iced coffees.

This Italian soda recipe builds on this foundation, creating a sweet drink that’s delightfully creamy and just a little bit indulgent.

What Is Italian Cream Soda?

Italian cream sodas are refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks that are made with carbonated water, flavored simple syrup, and heavy cream or half-and-half.

Think of this Italian cream soda recipe as more of a guide rather than something you need to stick to. You can add as much or as little syrup as you like, use any combination of flavors, and go light or heavy on the dairy.

Let me tell you, kids love making Italian sodas because they can experiment and mix up their own creations! It one of our favorite activities during the hot summer months.

glasses of italian syrup with fresh fruit and syrup bottles in frame

Is Italian Cream Soda Actually Italian?

Italian cream soda has a sophisticated continental feel, but they’re actually an American original!

While there's no argument that Italian cream soda is an American invention, there is some dispute about where and how it originated. Some people say the Torani syrup company invented Italian cream sodas in the 1920s, while others think they’re a variation of the creamy drinks soda fountains used to sell back in the early 20th century.

Regardless of their origin, Italian cream sodas are a delicious and refreshing treat that is perfect for summertime! For more refreshing summer drinks, try my Fresh Squeezed Homemade LemonadeThe Best Shirley Temple Drink Recipe, and Virgin Strawberry Daiquiris.

peach raspberry passion fruit torani syrup bottles

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

  • Sparkling water
  • Flavored syrup – You can use store-bought Torani syrups from your local grocery store, or even make your own homemade fruit syrup with fresh fruit, herbs, vanilla bean, lavender, or citrus rinds. 
  • Half-and-half

Seltzer, Club Soda, and Sparkling Mineral Water: What’s the Difference?

Club soda, seltzer water, and sparkling water are each a different type of carbonated water with a slightly different flavor profile, but any of them will work for Italian sodas.

  • Seltzer is simply carbonated water with no added ingredients, so it has a clean, crisp taste.
  • Club soda is infused with minerals and salt, so it has a slightly salty flavor.
  • Sparkling mineral water (aka soda water) is carbonated water that has been naturally infused with minerals. The water may come from a spring or a well. Sometimes it’s naturally carbonated, while other times, carbon dioxide is added to make it fizzy.

I usually use club soda when I’m making Italian cream sodas, but you can use whatever you prefer or have on hand.

How to Make Italian Cream Soda

Italian sodas are ridiculously easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Prepare your glass. Fill a tall glass with ice, then fill it about ⅔ full with club soda.

pouring syrup into a glass of ice surrounded by fresh peaches and raspberries

Add the syrup. The amount depends on how sweet you want your soda and, of course, how big your glass is! I recommend starting with a little bit less and working your way up, tasting as you go.

pouring cream into a glass of ice and syrup

Add the half-and-half, then garnish. Pour in a tablespoon or two of half-and-half, depending on how creamy you want it. If you’d like, you can garnish with a maraschino cherry, fresh fruit, sprigs of herbs, or even a dollop of whipped cream. 

Italian Soda Flavor Combinations

The best thing about homemade Italian cream sodas is experimenting with different flavors of syrup to find your favorite flavor combinations! If you have time, you can make some herb-infused simple syrups to combine with store-bought fruit syrups, or try some of these fruity combos:

  • Raspberry Peach
  • Peach Mango
  • Blueberry Lemon
  • Pineapple Coconut
  • Passionfruit Orange
raspberry peach italian soda with syrup bottles in back

Ideas for an Italian Soda Bar

Italian cream sodas are always popular at parties and the flavor possibilities are endless, so creating a make-your-own Italian soda bar is a fun idea for summer get-togethers! Set out a variety of flavors of syrups and your guests can assemble their own Italian cream sodas.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Plenty of glasses and fun straws
  • A selection of syrups (raspberry, blue raspberry, coconut, vanilla, mango, and passionfruit are always popular options)
  • Sparkling water
  • Half-and-half
  • Ice cubes
  • Fruit garnishes

You can make a little sign with basic instructions and a few flavor suggestions and then give yourself a break—you can enjoy your party without playing bartender!

FAQ's

How can I reduce the sugar in Italian sodas?

If you are looking to decrease your sugar intake, Torani makes very good sugar-free syrups that work well in Italian sodas.

Can I make a dairy-free version?

Coconut milk is a great substitute for the half-and-half or cream in this recipe if you have someone with a dairy allergy.

raspberry peach italian sodas with fresh fruit and torani syrup bottles in frame

More Refreshing Summer Drinks You'll Love

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

Stay in the know

Raspberry Peach Italian Cream Sodas

5 from 9 votes
Amy Nash
Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 serving
Easy, refreshing, and fun, these Raspberry Peach Italian Cream Sodas made with Torani syrups are the perfect non-alcoholic drink to serve all summer long!

Ingredients
  

  • Ice to fill a glass
  • Club soda
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Torani Raspberry Flavored Syrup
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Torani Peach Flavored Syrup
  • 1-2 Tablespoons half-and-half
  • Fresh raspberries & peach slices for garnish optional
  • Whipped cream optional

Instructions
 

  • Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in enough club soda to fill approximately â…” full.
  • Add both syrup flavors to the club soda, followed by the half-and-half. Measurements will vary depending on the size of the glass and your taste preference for levels of sweetness or creaminess, so you may want to start with the smaller amounts and adjust up.
  • Swirl together and garnish with fresh raspberries, peach slices, and whipped cream, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 70mg | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

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About the author

Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

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Reader questions and reviews

  1. Oh my goodness, these looks amazing! I love that they aren't just delicious, they are pretty too! Perfect to impress guests at a summer party! #client

    1. I haven't, but I'm sure it could work. The thing I prefer about club soda and half & half is that you can control the level of creaminess that you want.

  2. I've got to try this! It looks amazing and I simply love the colors -- gorgeous! Wouldn't guests have a geat time making their own flavor!! Pinning to make.

  3. I have used those syrups in the past....lots of great flavours. These would be great for entertaining. You would be the hit of the party for sure. Such fun summer drinks.

  4. Oh these are so pretty! I have to try this. Would be great at a party! I love serving that look pretty and taste awesome too!!

  5. What a yummy and refreshing drink, love ideas like this for the summer. I live in Florida and now is it so hot serving yummy drinks like this is perfect idea to tame the thirst.

  6. Ooh I used to LOVE Italian sodas but haven't had one in so long. These look SO amazing! What a great idea to make them at home, and the raspberry peach flavor sounds so refreshing for summer!

  7. These are so perfect for the summer! I'll have to look for the Torani flavored syrups at the store. That raspberry/peach combination sounds delicious.

  8. Gosh, these look so good! I've never tried a cream soda but I'm definitely trying these!

  9. I love cream sodas and I haven't had one in a long time. I also love the flavor combo of both the raspberry and peach together! This is so perfect for summer!

  10. I have seen the bottle so many times in the grocery isle.. but never got one 😛 This is such a cool way to serve refreshments!! cant wait to try them when my girlfriend comeover !!

  11. Italian soda is such a pretty drink! We used to make these at the coffee shop I worked at in college, and I loved watching the half and half mix and swirl. This will be a great recipe for summer BBQ's!

  12. I made this today. Took a couple liberties since I couldn't find the peach flavor. Anyway, I got peach sparkling water, used vanilla syrup and made it up intending to have a slightly peach cream soda. Delicious! My husband even loved it.

  13. 5 stars
    With summer on the way, these are such a great treat to have on hand - especially for parties! Love the idea of setting up a DIY bar for guests!!

  14. Que bien suena eso..
    Yo puedo combinarlo con jarabe de manzana verde oh mandarina.
    Mañana lo hago y te cuento...