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Create an old fashioned ice cream soda like they use to serve at the local lunch counter at home! With just a few ingredients you can enjoy this delicious treat.
I am lucky to have grown up in the mid-west town of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
My high school was right downtown and we had an open lunch hour which meant we could leave the school at lunchtime. sometimes my friends and I would head over to the Woolworth’s, the local five and dime that was right downtown.
Woolworths had a little bit of everything. It was the Target of its’ day. I bought sewing supplies there and they even carried pet supplies and pets! The thing I loved most about Woolworth’s was that it had a lunch counter. (Thanks to Google Images I was able to find a photo of the actual lunch counter from my Woolworths!)
You could sit there on a stool and enjoy a hamburger or a grilled cheese sandwich and of course a milkshake.
One of my favorite things to enjoy at the soda fountain or ice cream parlor was a chocolate ice cream soda. Making the perfect one at home is so easy!
Ingredients Needed
- Vanilla Ice cream
- Chocolate syrup. I use Hershey’s syrup.
- Soda/seltzer water
- Whip cream
- Sprinkles
How to Make An Old Fashioned Ice Cream Soda
- Add chocolate syrup into glass. I like to start with a frosted or chilled glass. The amount of syrup you will add depends on the size of your glass. I used about 2 Tablespoons of chocolate syrup to 1/2 C soda/seltzer water.
- Add in soda/seltzer water.
- Scoop in scoops of ice cream to reach the top of the glass.
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Add a straw and long spoon.
Tips from Leigh Anne
- A fun flavor variation is to use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.
- Garnish with some whipped cream and a maraschino cherry or sprinkles for fun.
The last thing left to do is add a spoon and a straw and dig it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ice cream soda and ice cream floats?
An ice cream soda is made with soda water, syrup, and ice cream. An ice cream float is made with soda and ice cream. Root beer floats or Orange Cream Floats are popular flavors for ice cream floats.
Can I use other flavored syrups?
You can use any favorite flavors you have. Strawberry is another favorite at our house.
Try these other ice cream treats:
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Old Fashioned Ice Cream Soda
Ingredients
- 2 large scoops vanilla ice cream
- 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
- 1/2 cup seltzer or soda water
- whip cream and sprinkles to garnish
Instructions
- Pour chocolate syrup and soda water into glass.
- Stir to mix well.
- Add in ice cream
- Top with whip cream and sprinkles.
Tips & Notes:
- A fun flavor variation is to use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.
- Garnish with some whipped cream and a maraschino cherry or sprinkles for fun.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
We had a Woolworth’s but it didn’t have a soda fountain!! #notfair Love this ice cream soda!!!
Kathy says
Loved seeing the old pictures of Woolworth. I remember that counter. They also had great ice cream treats at the Dutch Maid downtown and the Spot Drive Inn on the southside.
Leigh Anne says
Kathy, The Spot was one of my favorite places!
Marti King says
Thanks for sharing your childhood memories. What a nice place to grow up!
I love soda’s and floats. One of my favorite treats.
We are on our way to your town for our granddaughter’s wedding in the Portland temple. Thinking about you!
Leigh Anne says
Enjoy Portland! I will be working at the Visitor’s Center next to the Temple Friday from 3-6 today!
Denise says
Oh Leigh Anne, You are sooo bad ~ Hubby and I have LOVED making the vanilla cherry ice cream float and I always wanted to know how to make a chocolate soda. Is this the same as a ‘brown cow?” I love hearing about these wonderful mid western and east coast home town ‘oldies’ How wonderful to bring them to us–both the young and the older ‘young at heart’ folks. My folks emigrated from Switzerland, so as kids we never got to venture out much. I’m sure I missed alot. I am old now, and am trying many things for the first time, and having the excuse to try it out on the grandkids is a bonus . It is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Oh…and as a side note, and forgive me for mentioning it here, but the pills for allergy were a 100% success by freezing them first. Thanks so much again for the tip !
Leigh Anne says
I’m not sure if it is the same as a brown cow but it sure is good! So glad you have enjoyed the Vanilla cherry floats!! You’re never to old to try new things!! So glad the allergy pills are working!!
Minicat says
Your Woolworth’s looks just like mine did in downtown Glendale, CA. I loved the malts!