Espresso Cream Soda

I bet you’ve never expected to hear someone say “fizzy and bubbly” as a serious response to the question, “How do you take your coffee?” But thanks to social media’s latest viral recipe for espresso cream soda, that’s exactly how people are ordering.

This coffee drink, which is made with espresso, club soda, cream and homemade vanilla syrup, may leave some folks feeling skeptical. Cream and club soda may have already been proven delicious thanks to Utah’s dirty sodas, but coffee and club soda is another odd-sounding combo. Don’t let that deter you; espresso cream sodas are worth trying for yourself before forming an opinion, since lovers of the recipe find it incredibly light and refreshing. Just think of it as an iced coffee dirty soda.

Ingredients for Espresso Cream Soda

• Homemade vanilla syrup: While you can certainly use a store-bought coffee syrup to make an espresso cream soda, homemade vanilla-flavored simple syrup is so easy and affordable to make. We encourage you to give it a whirl for this recipe, using whatever vanilla extract you have on hand.
• Club soda: The viral recipe originally used club soda to make the drink, but we found seltzer water works just as well. Don’t use tonic water; it’s sweetened and slightly more acidic, which can cause the cream to curdle.
• Espresso: If you’ve been on the fence about purchasing an espresso machine, perhaps this recipe will give you the final nudge. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can make it with strong-brewed coffee or cold brew concentrate.
• Cream: For this recipe, you can use a splash of half-and-half cream or heavy cream to finish the drink. For a lighter drink, opt for whole, low-fat or skim milk.
• Ice: Homemade coffee-shop drinks are a little more fun when you use a cool ice cube tray to make the ice. No matter the shape, make sure you have enough ice to fill your glass at least halfway full.

Directions

Step 1: Make the vanilla syrup

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring them to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer them, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved, about three to five minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract. Cool the syrup to room temperature.

Step 2: Make the espresso

Meanwhile, brew the espresso and let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Assemble

Fill a glass with ice and then top it with two tablespoons of vanilla syrup. Add enough club soda so the glass is roughly two-thirds full.

Pour the espresso over the top, then add a splash of half-and-half or cream. Serve it immediately.

Editor’s Tip: If you prefer a sweeter drink, you can add additional vanilla syrup to the glass until your desired sweetness is achieved.

Espresso Cream Soda Variations

• Add a protein boost: Starbucks has made protein coffee trendy, so why not give a protein espresso cream soda a whirl? To prepare, use a blender or shaker to blend one scoop of protein powder with the brewed espresso and cream until the mixture is smooth. Then pour it over the sweetened club soda and ice. Stir, sip and enjoy.
• Prep a non-dairy version: Feel free to substitute a splash of your preferred nondairy milk for the cream in this recipe, if desired. Almond milk and oat milk work especially well.
• Try another flavor: While vanilla syrup was used in the viral recipe, it’s far from the only option. Use hazelnut, pistachio, caramel or toffee coffee syrups to create the espresso cream soda flavor of your dreams.
• Make a mocha espresso cream soda: This recipe might remind you of an old-fashioned egg cream made with chocolate syrup, club soda and milk. Feel free to add a swirl of chocolate syrup to the drink for a mocha-style twist.
• Cap it with cold foam: It seems that just about every coffee drink these days can be made better with cold foam. Try topping your espresso cream soda with homemade cold foam in your favorite flavor.

How to Store Espresso Cream Soda

While the drink itself should be consumed soon after it has been prepared, you’ll have leftover vanilla syrup that you can save for later use. Store any extra syrup in an airtight container or jar and keep it refrigerated for up to two weeks. This recipe makes about one cup of vanilla syrup.

Espresso Cream Soda Tips

How do you make espresso without an espresso machine?

If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can prepare an espresso cream soda with strongly brewed coffee from a drip coffee maker or pour-over coffee maker. Alternatively, you can invest in an affordable Moka pot to make espresso-style coffee on the stovetop.

Cold brew concentrate can also be used instead of espresso. If you use this method, reduce the amount of club soda, and use three to four ounces of cold brew concentrate to ensure the coffee flavor comes through.

Does the order of assembly matter when making an espresso cream soda?

Believe it or not, the order in which you add the ingredients to the glass matters for this recipe. If you add the ingredients out of order, a few things might occur. If you add the cream first, the club soda might lose some of its fizziness and the cream may separate and curdle. Gently adding the cream at the end is the best way to ensure the drink mixes smoothly with maximum bubbliness.