Coffee Soda - a Drink from the Past is New Again

As a kid, I grew up in a tiny town in the heartland of America where, believe it or not, we still had a drugstore 'downtown' on Main Street that had a soda fountain.  The owners had been there for years and by the time I was oh, maybe ten years old, they sold the old store and closed down.  But for a year or more, I was able to stop in with my friends when riding our bikes up town, and I learned about fizzy drinks like cherry phosphates.  They had a flavor called "coffee" but as a kid I had zero interest in that one!  As an adult I'm thinking "Oh I wish the drug store was still there!  I'd go back and visit and enjoy a coffee soda in my old hometown and relish the feel of the good old days.


As it so happens, everything old is new again as apparently, all different versions of this drink are making a come back.   This one is featured a few places on the internet - and I'll link to another version below it.


Don't feel like making one yourself?  You can order coffee soda online - even the old favorite from 1895 - still available from Manhattan Special - the Espresso Soda and they have a decaf and sugar free version now too.


Coffee Soda


3 c cold coffee, double strength
1 T sugar
1 c half-and-half
1 pint ice cream
3/4 c club soda, cold
whipped cream for garnish

Combine coffee and sugar.  Blend in half-and-half.  Fill four tall glasses halfway with coffee mixture. Add scoop of ice cream to each glass. Fill to top with soda. Add dollop of whipped cream and enjoy! Garnish with sprinkles, cherries, cinnamon, chocolate shavings, etc.




Another version recipe available here from Good Housekeeping
















Prefer to purchase rather than make it homemade?  Related products available through Amazon;

Bacon Soda and Coffee Soda Bundle
Manhattan Special ESPRESSO SODA FROM BROOKLYN "Passaro's Famous, (Pack of 12)
LESTERS Coffee Soda 12 OZ
Manhattan Special DECAF SUGARFREE ESPRESSO SODA "Taste w/out sugar or caffeine", 10-Ounce Glass Bottles (Pack of 12)