This is an article about the soft drink. For other meanings of the term, please see Cream soda (disambiguation).
Cream soda is a sweet carbonated soft drink. It varies from country to country, but its most usual property is its vanilla flavouring. Its name originated, at least in the United Kingdom, from "ice cream soda" as it was traditionally served with a dollop of ice cream floating in it.
International variations
North America
In the
U.S. market it is often clear or coloured
brown and
vanilla-flavored, but
pink and
red is also relatively common.
Canadian cream soda is often
pink and has a unique taste somewhat reminiscent of
grenadine, but clear versions can also be found. In addition, certain
7-11 stores sell a Green Cream Soda. Some versions, especially those sold in the Southern U.S., taste of
bubble gum.
Australia
In
Australia, cream soda is generally known as
creaming soda (and sometimes
creamy soda) and is pink, much like the Canadian version. Australians are also able to enjoy the American "brown vanilla" version as it is also made and marketed locally. The most common manufacturer of creaming soda in Australia is arguably
Kirks, a soft drink manufacturer with a variety of other products. As of
2005, Kirks creaming soda is made and distributed by
Coca Cola. Up until the mid
1990s, Kirks also produced
Snow Cap, which was essentially the vanilla flavoured brown version of the drink. The name "Snow Cap" was created to differentiate the pink and brown versions of the drink. Snow Cap is no longer produced.
United Kingdom
In
England, cream soda was traditionally served with a dessert-spoonful of vanilla ice cream floating on the top, but this has become a rarity. It is vanilla-flavoured, slightly glutinous and has a uniquely thick, "soft" and long-lasting foam. Both A.G.Barr and Ben Shaws manufacture their own brands of cream soda, and most supermarkets sell it under their respective own brand's. The Co-op's cream soda costs around 70p for a two-litre bottle, whereas
Waitrose charges 99p along with a 3-for-2 offer.
Europe
Another variety is one referred to as
Italian cream soda. This is usually a mixture of carbonated water and
Half and half or
cream combined with vanilla syrup. Ratios vary widely, but the taste is usually that of sweetened, flavored milk.
Asia
The variety of cream soda sold in
Japan is almost always green in colour, and the taste is reminiscent of melon-flavored
Fanta.
In Hong Kong, the Swire Coca Cola Company markets a green Schweppes Cream Soda as well as a yellow Schweppes Grapefruit Soda. Singapore sells Cream Soda under the Schweppes name, and some people enjoy Cream Soda in a 1:1 ratio with fresh milk. In India, two brands of cream soda are Cottons and Bijoli.
Africa
In
South Africa, Cream soda is sold under the name "Creme Soda", and Coca-Cola produces some under its
Sparletta brand. It is green in colour and has a vanilla flavour.
Caribbean
Cream soda is usually served as a "red pop", that particularly of
Fanta's Red Cream Soda, which is impossible to find in the United States.
External links
Soft drinks
クリームソーダ