Ice cream soda, flavors other than chocolate
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A fizzy, sweet, and creamy beverage that combines carbonated water with flavored syrup and a scoop of ice cream, creating a frothy, effervescent treat. The non-chocolate varieties—like cherry, strawberry, or vanilla—offer a bright, fruity sweetness with a smooth, melting texture from the ice cream. Despite its indulgent profile, a standard serving is relatively moderate in calories, though it is primarily a source of quick-energy carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 65% carbs · 30% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore ice cream sodas for their perfect balance of fizzy refreshment and creamy indulgence, a textural contrast that feels both nostalgic and celebratory. The wide array of fruit or floral syrups allows for personalized, vibrant flavors that evoke classic soda fountain culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and subsequent energy crashes, making it a poor choice for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. To mitigate this, consume it alongside a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or cheese) to slow sugar absorption, and strictly practice portion control by sharing or opting for a smaller size.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Offers a small amount of calcium from the ice cream component.
- Can be a comforting, nostalgic treat for mood uplift.
- Versatile base for creative flavor combinations.
- The carbonation can aid in mild digestive settling for some.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'soda' in ice cream soda originally referred to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) used in early 19th-century mineral waters, not the carbonation we know today.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 81.8 g |
| Energy | 85.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.92 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 2.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 14.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.20 g |
| Total Sugars | 13.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 37.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.06 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 4.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 28.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 53.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 31.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.23 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.01 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 7.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 31.0 ug |
| Retinol | 31.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.10 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.30 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.81 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.35 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.78 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.73 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 12.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Ice creams, vanilla, rich — USDA does not publish this profile for Ice cream soda.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.14 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.18 g |
| Leucine | 0.30 g |
| Lysine | 0.25 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.15 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.20 g |
| Arginine | 0.14 g |
| Histidine | 0.08 g |
| Alanine | 0.14 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.65 g |
| Glycine | 0.15 g |
| Proline | 0.34 g |
| Serine | 0.17 g |
FAQ
Is an ice cream soda the same as a milkshake?
No. A milkshake blends ice cream with milk or syrup for a thick, uniform drink. An ice cream soda layers carbonated soda water over a scoop of ice cream, creating distinct layers of fizz and cream.
Can I make a non-dairy version?
Yes, use a dairy-free ice cream alternative (like coconut or oat) and your favorite flavored soda or sparkling water with syrup. The texture will differ slightly but the concept remains.
Why does my ice cream soda foam up so much?
The foam is caused by carbon dioxide bubbles from the soda getting trapped by proteins and fats in the ice cream. Pouring the soda slowly down the side of the glass can help control the fizz.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.85 kcal/g · 4% calories from protein · 0.2 g fiber · 13.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.58 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.