Old-Fashioned Egg Cream
Made with just 3 ingredients (syrup, milk, and soda), this Egg Cream is an old-fashioned milkshake recipe that contains neither egg nor cream. Talk about false advertising, but hey, it’s delicious!
New York City’s Iconic Beverage
This past weekend, my husband and I tried a New York egg cream for the first time, and now we’re hooked!
The thing is, it doesn’t have any eggs or cream. Funny right? Imagine a milkshake, just not as thick… so it actually quenches your thirst instead of making you thirstier. It’s like a classic fountain drink with a smooth, creamy texture and just the right amount of sweetness. Light and fizzy, yet totally indulgent.
Be sure to check out some of our other tasty drink recipes, like Dirty Dr Pepper, Caramel Apple Milkshake, Deep-Fried Ice Cream Milkshake, and Peppermint Oreo Milkshake!
Ingredients
- Syrup of your choice
- Whole milk
- Club soda (or seltzer)
Swaps & Variations
The beauty of an egg cream lies in its versatility! Whether you’re changing flavors, playing with textures, or catering to dietary quirks, this classic drink is always up for a remix.
- Flavor options: Swap chocolate for strawberry, vanilla, caramel, or even coffee syrup.
- Vegan-friendly: Make it vegan with almond or oat milk and plant-based syrups.
- Creamy & dreamy: For extra richness, use half-and-half; for lightness, try skim milk.
- Go classic: Stick with traditional chocolate (Fox’s U-Bet or Hershey’s) for authenticity.
Here’s a tip!
For the best results, chill your ingredients beforehand or just toss in some ice to keep things extra cold.
How to Make an Egg Cream
1. To begin with, pour about 2 tablespoons of syrup into a tall glass.
Tip: I’m using pretty little soda fountain glasses here. But most of the time, I make these in a plastic, generic solo cup (I live large like that).
2. Now add 1/3 cup of cold milk. I recommend starting with exact measurements. But once you play with this recipe, you may find you prefer more or less milk. Stir that up really well.
3. Fill each glass the rest of the way with cold club soda or seltzer water. Take it slow, as it will froth. But in the end, you’ll have the prerequisite foamy head.
4. Add a straw and enjoy your egg creams! Which flavor are you choosing?
Storage
This old-fashioned egg cream is best served immediately, mainly because it’s made with carbonated soda. Luckily, it’s so quick and easy to make!
Frequently Asked Questions
An egg cream is a classic New York drink made with milk, seltzer, and flavored syrup (usually chocolate). Despite the name, it has no eggs or cream. Just a frothy, fizzy treat that was once a cheaper alternative to ice cream floats.
The name likely comes from the foamy top, which looks like beaten egg whites. Most historians credit Louis Auster, a Jewish immigrant who owned candy stores in 1890s NYC, with inventing it using his secret chocolate syrup. His original version with milk and seltzer became so popular that competitors couldn’t match its flavor.
Nope! Dirty sodas are creamier, often with flavored syrups and soda (like Coke or Dr Pepper). Egg creams are lighter and made with seltzer and milk for a crisp, frothy sip.
Old-Fashioned Egg Cream
Made with just three ingredients, this egg cream is an old-fashioned milkshake recipe that doesn't actually include egg or cream.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons syrup of your choice
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 3/4-1 cup cold club soda or seltzer water
Instructions
- Pour syrup into the bottom of a tall glass.
- Add milk and stir vigorously.
- Add in club soda slowly, leaving room for it to fizz at the top.
- Insert a straw and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114
Oh my. Every time I read Southern Plate I come away with a new phrase or word. : ) I’m going to be throwing out “mothered or married” today! I hope it’s a good thing to drink this for breakfast, cuz I fear that’s going to happen. : )
Oh goodness, I think one for breakfast is the best idea all day!!
These look very good. I have made something similar by adding cream to a glass of any flavor of soda, my favorite was root beer or strawberry. Something like an Italian cream soda!!
They just feel like a decadent treat don’t they Elle?!
I will definitely try these with my kids this summer:)
They are going to love it Kathy!!
Grew up at the Jersey shore and we had these all the time. Thanks for the memory.
Oh wow Evelyn!! What a fun treat to have!
I love these for a summertime treat. The only thing I do differently is use a small scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of the milk. The soda soon melts it and the finished effect is the same. My favorite variation is a bit of chocolate syrup, a small scoop of chocolate ice cream and cola for the carbonated liquid. I use diet cola and then tell myself it can’t be fattening. I believe my own versions of reality!
I like your version of reality Elaine!!!
Looks yummy!
Christy, I teach nutrition to kids, and one of my favorite simple recipes uses carbonated (or seltzer) water.
To make a healthier-for you soda, use a can of your favorite frozen 100% juice concentrate and mix with carbonated water per directions on the can.
Then add one more can of carbonated water and if it’s a sweet juice like grape, add a 2 – 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice to make the flavor really POP.
Kids go nuts for this healthier soda and they get all the nutrition benefits that come with it.
Just remember that those benefits usually peak at 1 cup.
Oh wow, thank you for sharing such great tips!!
I grew up in NY and we drank these as a special treat in a soda shop! Thanks for the blast from my childhood!!! 🙂
Oh what wonderful memories Gloria!! What was your favorite flavor?