Italian Cherry Cream Sodas are a delightful throwback to old-fashioned soda fountains where sweet cherry syrup meets creamy vanilla ice cream and sparkling soda water. These beautiful pink drinks are both refreshing and indulgent, offering the perfect balance of fruity sweetness, creamy richness, and bubbly fizz in every sip. The maraschino cherry flavor is bright and nostalgic, while the ice cream creates a foamy, dreamy top layer that slowly melts into the soda below. This classic Italian-American beverage is incredibly simple to make at home and feels special enough for celebrations, summer parties, or when you want to treat yourself to something fun. Kids and adults alike love these colorful, festive sodas that taste like liquid happiness.
Serving Quantity: 4 sodas
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
1. Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice (from the jar)
- 1/4 cup cherry syrup or grenadine
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups club soda or sparkling water, chilled
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 8 maraschino cherries with stems
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Red or pink food coloring (optional)
- Colorful straws and long spoons
2. Nutrition Information Per Serving
- Calories: 385
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fat: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sodium: 95mg
3. Make the Cherry Syrup Base
In a small bowl, combine the maraschino cherry juice, cherry syrup or grenadine, sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Stir everything together until the sugar dissolves completely. The almond extract enhances the cherry flavor and gives it that authentic Italian soda taste. If you want a brighter pink color, add 2 to 3 drops of red or pink food coloring and mix well. Set this cherry base aside.
4. Prepare the Whipped Cream
Pour the heavy whipping cream into a cold mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until it starts to thicken. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating until soft peaks form. You want it thick enough to hold its shape but still soft and fluffy, not stiff. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes total. Keep the whipped cream refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the sodas.
5. Chill Your Glasses
Place four tall glasses in the freezer for about 5 minutes to get them nice and cold. Cold glasses help keep your soda fizzy longer and make the drink even more refreshing. If you don’t have time to chill them, that’s okay, but it does make a difference.
6. Add Ice to Glasses
Remove the glasses from the freezer. Fill each glass about halfway with ice cubes. The ice will keep everything cold and help create that perfect slushy texture as the ice cream melts into the soda.
7. Pour the Cherry Base
Divide the cherry syrup mixture evenly among the four glasses, pouring about 2 to 3 tablespoons into each glass over the ice. Swirl each glass gently so the cherry syrup coats some of the ice cubes. The syrup will settle at the bottom and create beautiful layers as you add the other ingredients.
8. Add the Sparkling Water
Slowly pour the club soda or sparkling water into each glass, filling them about three-quarters full. Pour slowly down the side of the glass to preserve as much carbonation as possible. The soda will mix with the cherry syrup and turn a beautiful pink color. You’ll see it fizz and bubble excitedly.
9. Add the Ice Cream
Drop one generous scoop of vanilla ice cream into each glass. The ice cream will float on top of the cherry soda and immediately start creating a foamy layer. As it melts, it will create that signature creamy Italian soda texture. Don’t stir yet, let it sit and create natural layers.
10. Top With Whipped Cream
Add a large dollop of the homemade whipped cream on top of the ice cream in each glass. The whipped cream should sit high above the rim of the glass for that authentic soda fountain look. You can also use a piping bag with a star tip to make it look extra fancy.
11. Garnish and Serve
Place two maraschino cherries on top of the whipped cream in each glass. You can rest them on the cream or use a cocktail pick to skewer them together. Add a colorful straw and a long spoon to each glass so people can stir their sodas and scoop up the ice cream as they drink.
12. Enjoy Immediately
Serve the Italian Cherry Cream Sodas right away while they’re still cold and fizzy. Encourage everyone to give their soda a good stir with the long spoon to mix the melting ice cream with the cherry soda below. This creates an amazing creamy, fruity flavor with every sip.
13. Tips for Success
Use good quality vanilla ice cream for the best flavor and creamiest texture. Premium ice cream has less air and more fat, which creates a richer, smoother soda. The combination of maraschino cherry juice and cherry syrup gives the best flavor, but if you only have one, you can use a half cup of whichever you have. Grenadine works wonderfully and adds a slightly different but still delicious cherry-pomegranate flavor. Make sure your club soda is very cold and fresh for maximum fizziness. Flat soda won’t give you that signature sparkle. The almond extract is key to authentic Italian soda flavor, so don’t skip it even though it seems like a small amount. For an adult version, add a shot of amaretto or cherry liqueur to each glass before adding the soda. You can make these with different flavors by substituting the cherry syrup with raspberry, strawberry, or vanilla syrup. Chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla creates a cherry chocolate version that’s absolutely delicious. If you don’t want to make whipped cream from scratch, canned whipped cream works fine in a pinch. For a lighter version, use vanilla frozen yogurt instead of ice cream and skip the heavy whipped cream topping. These sodas are perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, or summer gatherings. Set up a DIY Italian soda bar with different syrups and let guests create their own combinations. The drink will separate into beautiful layers if you don’t stir it right away, which makes for great photos. Fresh cherries can be used as garnish instead of maraschino cherries for a more natural look. Add a splash of lime juice to the cherry base for a tart twist that balances the sweetness perfectly.
