Old-Fashioned Egg Cream

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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!

Caramel, chocolate, and strawberry egg creams in decorative glasses with straws.

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)

Caramel, chocolate, and strawberry egg creams in decorative glasses.

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.

A strawberry egg cream with a straw and strawberry on top.

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).

Pouring chocolate syrup in a decorative glass.

Caramel, chocolate, and strawberry syrup in 3 decorative glasses.

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!

Strawberry and chocolate egg cream in decorative glasses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an egg cream?

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.

Why do they call it an egg cream?

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.

Is egg cream the same as dirty soda?

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.

Yield: 4 servings