Old-Fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda

There are different versions about the invention of the ice cream soda. Robert McCay Green invented it during the semi-centennial celebration of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, but whether he simply ran out of ice cream, or he wanted to outdo a competing vendor at the event is not clear. One thing is for sure—an old-fashioned ice cream soda is a fabulous summertime treat.

The chocolate syrup and the chocolate ice cream already give this drink an intense chocolate flavor but if you are one of those people who can never get enough chocolate, use chocolate milk instead of plain milk. Or, for a less intense chocolate flavor, use vanilla ice cream. 

For the bubbly water component of this American classic, you can use club soda, seltzer water, or sparkling mineral water. Club soda and seltzer water are carbonated with carbon dioxide to make them fizzy. Club soda also has potassium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate added and these mineral salts give it a slightly saltier taste whereas seltzer water is straight carbonated water. Sparkling mineral water comes from spring or well water and naturally contains mineral salts, sometimes it is naturally fizzy and sometimes carbon dioxide is added for extra fizz. When you combine the soda with the ice cream, it looks like a spider web is forming, which is normal and the reason why in Australia and New Zealand, the drink is also known as a spider. 

The recipe makes two servings, but it can be halved, doubled, tripled, or even more. It is a very easy but special drink to serve at a summer party. All you need to do is have the ingredients and tall glasses ready, and the milk and club soda well chilled (and also chill the glasses). This keeps the drink nice and cool and prevents the ice cream from melting too quickly, especially on hot days. Assemble the drink on demand and your guests will feel like they are at a soda fountain.