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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.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I feel lucky to have grown up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where my high school was right downtown and we had an open lunch hour. On special days, my friends and I would head to Woolworth’s—the five-and-dime that had a little of everything but, best of all, a lunch counter. There was nothing better than sliding onto a stool, ordering lunch, and finishing it off with a frosty ice cream soda.
A classic chocolate ice cream soda was always my favorite—creamy, fizzy, and just a little bit indulgent. The good news is you don’t need a vintage soda fountain to enjoy one. This easy recipe comes together in minutes and delivers all that nostalgic charm right at home.
(Thanks to Google Images I was able to find a photo of the actual lunch counter from my Woolworths!)
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 cup soda/seltzer water.
- Add in soda/seltzer water.
- Scoop in enough ice cream to reach the top of the glass. Use a tall glass.
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Add a straw and long spoon.
Tips from Leigh Anne
- Chill your glass first. Pop your serving glass into the freezer for 5–10 minutes before assembling. A cold glass keeps the soda fizzy longer and helps prevent the ice cream from melting too quickly.
- Add soda slowly. Pour the soda gently down the side of the glass to control the foam. Ice cream and carbonation create a big fizz, so slow pouring keeps it from overflowing.
- Use good quality ice cream. Because there are only a few ingredients, quality matters. A rich, creamy vanilla (or chocolate!) ice cream will give you that classic soda fountain texture and flavor.
- Customize the flavors. Try different soda and syrup combinations—root beer for a classic float, strawberry syrup with lemon-lime soda, or chocolate syrup with club soda for that traditional chocolate ice cream soda.
- Serve immediately. Ice cream sodas are best enjoyed right away while they’re fizzy, creamy, and perfectly frothy on top. Add a straw and a long spoon for the full soda fountain experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of soda works best?
Club soda or sparkling water is traditional for chocolate or fruit-flavored ice cream sodas because it lets the syrup shine. Lemon-lime soda or cola can also be used for a sweeter twist.
What is the difference between an ice cream soda and a float?
An ice cream soda typically includes flavored syrup, soda (often club soda or sparkling water), and ice cream, creating a creamy, fizzy drink. A float is usually just soda and ice cream—like a classic root beer float—without added syrup.
Can I use different ice cream flavors?
Absolutely! Vanilla is classic, but chocolate, strawberry, or even coffee ice cream are delicious options depending on the flavor profile you want.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Ice cream sodas are best made and served immediately. If made too far in advance, the soda will lose its fizz and the ice cream will melt.
There’s something so special about the perfect ice cream soda—the fizz, the creamy scoop melting into the bubbles, and that sweet drizzle of syrup on top. It’s simple, nostalgic, and guaranteed to make any day feel a little more fun. Whether you’re recreating a memory or starting a new tradition at home, this classic recipe is a timeless treat you’ll come back to again and again.
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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:
- Chill your glass first
Pop your serving glass into the freezer for 5–10 minutes before assembling. A cold glass keeps the soda fizzy longer and helps prevent the ice cream from melting too quickly. - Add soda slowly
Pour the soda gently down the side of the glass to control the foam. Ice cream and carbonation create a big fizz, so slow pouring keeps it from overflowing. - Use good quality ice cream
Because there are only a few ingredients, quality matters. A rich, creamy vanilla (or chocolate!) ice cream will give you that classic soda fountain texture and flavor. - Customize the flavors
Try different soda and syrup combinations—root beer for a classic float, strawberry syrup with lemon-lime soda, or chocolate syrup with club soda for that traditional chocolate ice cream soda. - Serve immediately
Ice cream sodas are best enjoyed right away while they’re fizzy, creamy, and perfectly frothy on top. Add a straw and a long spoon for the full soda fountain experience.
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Sherry Donnelly says
Ah yes the good ole days! Springfield, Ohio 1950’s and 1960’s My mom was mgr of our Woolworth’s lunch counter. I was a favorite of the store mgr’s Mr. & Mrs Shannon (1950’s) and i have pictures of store front window on Saturdays holding a children’s style show. Of course i was a model! I remember Mrs. Shannon would come in every week on a certain day and take me to lunch counter for a milkshake. I was always thrilled! Then in the 60’s several of us would go for lunch on school days. Loved their hot dogs, mashed potatoes and gravy! What I would give to go back to those wonderful days and memories!
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
I’d love to go back to those good old days for a visit too!
patty wilkerson says
After So glad you talked about ice cream soda’s and the soda fountains that sold them. I miss them. Our Woolworth’s made the best ice cream soda. They start out with about 1/4 cup milk then add the chocolate syrup, the seltzer water, 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream , whip cream and cherry on top. Ummmm nothing better! Please try the milk addition, it is so much better. We go to an ice cream shop at the beach and I always have to tell the to put milk in the glass first. Let me know how you like it. If you Google chocolate ice cream soda, it will list recipes with the milk included
Leigh Anne says
Patty, Will definitely try it with milk next time. Sounds great!
ang says
My grandmother always used to tell me stories about going to get ice cream sodas and flirting with the soda jerks 🙂 Thanks a great recipe, and making that nice memory pop up 🙂
Ang
Anne Marie says
Oh my! What wonderful pictures of Woolworth’s counter.
I remember it well growing up in Massachusetts and I loved my chocolate ice cream soda’s.
I am going to make your recipe and recall all those yummy memories in every bite. Thank you.
Leigh Anne says
Anne Marie, Enjoy your ice cream soda!!
Amy at Living Locurto says
Love that huge counter from the old photo! I’m from a small town in Oklahoma and it still looks similar to these photos. Will have to try this recipe, it looks great!