I began volunteering at my church’s coffee shop in November, and I instantly became in love with Italian Sodas. No really. This is a big deal.
So much of a big deal, that I just bough a couple flavors so I can make Italian Sodas at my daughter’s 2nd birthday.
Sidenote: A lot of people like their Italian Sodas with cream in them, but not me. Actually, I was recently told that Italian Cream Sodas without the cream are actually called French Sodas. However, that’s way too high class for me. I’ll stick to either calling them an Italian Soda or an Italian Cream Soda.
I always make my Italian Soda with Sugar-free Raspberry syrup, and I love the taste of the Italian Soda we make at the Cafe. We use Perrier sparkling water. After about two months of first being introduced to theItalian Soda, I decided to order one at Starbucks and also at a local coffee shop. ICK! Totally not the same, but I wasn’t sure what the difference was. It couldn’t be the syrup, because that was the same.
Could it be the fact that they didn’t put as much syrup in? The next time I went to each of these places, I asked them to put in the same number of pumps we use at the Timberline Cafe. Still ick! It must be the drink base they use! I’m not sure what the local cafe uses, but I know that Starbucks uses Pellegrino. Now, when I used Pellegrino at my house, it was a lot more appealing than it is at Starbucks. I’m convinced it’s because they use the amount of Pellegrino that should be used in a small size cup in their large cup and they fill the cup the rest of the way with ice… So much ice that I can’t fit my straw in without a bit of difficulty. My cup actually tipped over and spilled all over their floor in a local Starbucks because of all of the ice (and I wasn’t holding the cup when I put the straw in… 80% my fault, 20% theirs… or perhaps 100% mine!)
So, I decided to get a number of possible Italian Soda bases and do a taste test. This is obviously not a very official taste-test since I’m the only one who tasted all of the different bases, but…it’s all you have if you don’t want to do it yourself!
The line-up of sodas/waters:
For a 12-ounce cup, I like 5 pumps of syrup. These cups were about 8 ounces, so I used 2 pumps.
RESULTS:
(from best, to worst):
1) Club Soda: If you want a very carbonated, bubbly Italian Soda, this is for you! The Club Soda didn’t add a weird flavor to the drink.
2) Selzer water: This had the same carbonated effect as the Club Soda, but tasted a tiny bit different. Both were great!
3) Perrier sparkling water: This is a less carbonated, but still great-tasting Italian Soda.
4) Pellegrino sparkling water: I prefer Perrier, but Pellegrino also makes a great Italian Soda.
5) Sprite: Not good! Unless you want a slightly syrupy-flavored Sprite drink, don’t use Sprite. The Sprite taste overtakes everything else.
6) Tonic water: Gross! The Tonic water has a slightly bitter taste that really takes the joy out of all that is an Italian Soda Just don’t do it.
So, in conclusion, the first 4 were very close! They are pretty much the difference between highly carbonated and lightly carbonated. The last two are NO-GOs! 🙂
This is a 12-ouncer with 5 shots. Mmm! I mix before drinking, but it looks cool like this!
This was very informative about the different types of carbonated waters. I used to drink these when I was in high school (longer ago than I care to admit) and recently thought of these and wanted to make them at home but couldn’t remember what kind of water they used. All of the ones I found used some kind of cream and were not what I was looking for. Thank you for posting evan more than what I was looking for.
Aw! What a kind message! Thanks for reading. That’s so great that you’re trying to bring a taste from your past into your home. Italian sodas are such a great treat!
Happy sipping! Cheers!
Horray! I chose the right base to use today at the store! It was on the fly and soo many decisions, was a little overwhelming! Thank you for sharing your hard work and EXCELLENT data!
That’s awesome, Michelle! Enjoy the bubbles! ?
Thank you for the low done on the base for these Italian sodas. I am a diabetic so Sugar free soda is the only drink I’m allowed. But regular diet drinks leave much to be desired imo. I get the Sugar free syrups for coffee or slushies. I wanted to try the Italian sodas. But the bubbly water was so confusing. Thank you for the info.
I used the club soda and then the Seltzer water. Both were out standing. Thank you again.
Aw! That warms my heart, Leonora. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the post. It means a lot! 🙂 Happy fizzing!
Thanks for all the ideas! I’m a sugar addict, so I use regular raspberry syrup. When I was a kid (sixty years ago), we used “Bauer’s” raspberry syrup (from Germany). Now I use “Kedem” raspberry syrup (from NY). I mix it with bottled seltzer (when I was a kid, we used seltzer from a siphon bottle!). I adjust the taste by adding more or less syrup.
Ooh – that’s great that you adjust it as needed. It’s pretty neat to have an Italian Soda “shop” right there in your house! 🙂
Awesome, thank you for doing the work for me. I love Italian sodas. I do like them highly carbonated though. Did you find out which is the best brand of flavored syrup to use? Btw I think Italian sodas with the cream are called French not without.
Hey, Karla – I’m still an Italian soda lover, myself, too. It’s great to hear from you! Thanks for the tip on calling them French sodas when they have cream. Funny enough, there’s a lot of differing advice around what to call these concoctions. It sounds like the world’s not fully convinced of what any variation is called. Haha! I like the option you came up with best.
I’ve also developed a preference for high carbonation in these! As for syrups, I’m not sure what might be best, as I haven’t tried any other than Monin and Torani (and really didn’t notice a difference within raspberry.) Here’s a link I found with some differing opinions.
I did just try Torani blackberry in one yesterday, and it was great! My kids approved, too!
Thanks for stopping by, Karla. 🙂