Cream soda
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Cream soda is a sweet carbonated soft drink. It varies from country to country, but its most usual property is its vanilla flavoring. 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, cream soda is often clear or colored light brown and vanilla-flavored, but pink, red, and blue are also relatively common. In addition, in some places in the U.S. where the drink is made on location, especially in cafes, cream soda consists of soda water, vanilla syrup, and cream or half and half. Only a few of the brands of cream soda marketed in the U. S. contain caffeine. Canadian cream soda is often pink, and has a unique taste somewhat reminiscent of grenadine. But clear versions of cream soda can also be found in Canada, particularly in the Province of Quebec, where pink cream soda is very rare, or non-existent.
Popular brands include:
- A&W Vanilla Cream Soda
- Barq's Red Creme Soda
- Mug Cream Soda
- Foxon Park (mainly in Connecticut)
- Jones Soda
- Stewart's
- Crush (Canada only)
- Dr. Brown's (mainly in the New York City area, but also Jewish delicatessens across the country)
- IBC
- Vess (Old St. Louis variety that is a deep pink)
- Faygo (mainly in Michigan and surrounding states)
- Big Red
- Shasta Creme Soda
- Henry Weinhard's Cream Soda
- Route 66 Sodas - Cream Soda (New Route 66 Flavor)
- The Pop Shoppe (Canada)
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. In addition, there is a bright yellow type of cream soda, an example of which is produced by Crows Nest Cordials. 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 flavored 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.
South Australian soft drink manufacturer Woodroofe produces "Snow-Top", a brown cream soda drink.
United Kingdom
In the UK, 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-flavored, 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 brands. In Scotland, the national drink is Irn Bru, a type of creamy soda.
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
In Japan, "cream soda" is a term used for an ice cream float made with melon-flavored soda topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In Hong Kong, the Swire Coca Cola Company markets a yellow 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. In Malaysia the F&N or Fraser and Neave brand makes a clear Ice Cream Soda.
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 color and has no vanillin. Whaaa I LOVE Creme Soda!!!
Caribbean and Latin America
Cream soda is usually served as a "red pop", particularly Fanta's Red Cream Soda.
New Zealand
This is known as Creaming soda, Ice cream soda, or cream soda, though the flavor changes are negligible. It is usually clear or a white opaque. It is one of the many flavors sold by Foxton Fizz.
Netherlands
Has only one brand called Frizz and is caramel-colored.