Egg Cream Recipe (3 Ingredients Only) - Southern Plate (2024)

Made with just three ingredients (syrup, milk, and soda) this egg cream is an old-fashioned milkshake recipe that doesn’t actually include egg or cream.

Egg Cream Recipe (3 Ingredients Only) - Southern Plate (1)

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This past weekend my in-laws came from Georgia to visit with us over the holiday weekend. My mother-in-law brought me several recipes she’d printed out for old-fashioned fountain-style drinks and I couldn’t resist playing around with them! My son and I instantly fell in love with a wonderful concoction known as a New York egg cream. Until this past weekend, I’d never had one before. But as I’m writing this I can honestly say I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had!

What does egg cream taste like?

Many of you may be wondering, “What is an egg cream?”, so I’m gonna tell ya! The thing is, it doesn’t include eggs or cream. Its three ingredients are syrup, milk, and soda. Taste-wise, it’s kind of like a milkshake, only not as thick. So it actually quenches your thirst rather than induces it.

It can easily be made lighter in terms of sugar content too and it only includes a small bit of milk, although it tastes much milkier than it is. When you taste it after seeing the ingredients you’ll be surprised there isn’t more involved. Or that egg or cream isn’t in it, because of the light richness.

Why do they call it an egg cream?

Many people have speculated about the title. The reason that makes the most sense to me is that during the height of soda fountains, it was popular to add raw egg and cream to drinks for flavor, thickness, and richness. But during the onset of World War II, they became cost prohibitive. Since this miraculously tastes as if it may indeed have an egg and cream in it, the name was sort of a marketing ploy to help sell an inexpensive drink.

I am just glad that this old-fashioned egg cream recipe exists! And I’m drinking one right now as I type this because they take less than five minutes to whip up. So don’t blink or you’ll miss the recipe!

Who doesn’t love a good drink, make sure you check out some of our other delicious drink recipes likeDirty Dr Pepper,Caramel Apple Milkshake,Tropical Pink Mocktail (Fun Fruity Summer Drink), andSweet Tea Recipe.

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Recipe Ingredients

  • Syrup of your choice, including strawberry syrup, chocolate syrup, vanilla syrup, or caramel syrup.
  • Club soda (or seltzer)
  • Whole milk

Helpful Kitchen Tools

How to Make an Egg Cream

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To begin with, pour about two tablespoons of syrup into a tall glass.

I’m using pretty little soda fountain glasses here. But most times I make these in a plastic generic solo cup (I live large like that).

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Now add 1/3 a cup of cold milk.

I am using exact measurements to get you started here. But once you play with this recipe, you may find you prefer more or less milk. I like less milk, but my son likes more.

There is no right or wrong way to make this drink written in the Constitution of the United States of America. So don’t let anyone try to convince you there is.

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Stir that up really well.

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Like this!

Pictured are the bases for: chocolate, strawberry, and sugar-free caramel egg creams.

But we’re not done yet!

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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.

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Add a straw and enjoy your egg creams!

Which flavor are you choosing?

Storage

This is one of those recipes that’s best served immediately, mainly because it’s made with carbonated soda. Luckily, it’s so quick and easy to make.

Recipe Variations

  • It is important for your ingredients to be cold. So put your club soda and syrup in the fridge for a while before making these. You can always add ice later if you like too.
  • For extra richness, swap the milk for half and half.
  • For the most traditional chocolate syrup, use Fox’s U-Bet or Hershey’s.

Recipe FAQs

What is an egg cream?

An egg cream is an old-fashioned cold drink made from milk, carbonated water, and flavored syrup. Yep, it doesn’t include egg or cream. The most common flavor is chocolate egg cream. Back in the day, it was enjoyed as a substitute for the more expensive ice cream float.

How do you make a vegan egg cream?

Ensure the syrup is vegan, then substitute the milk for almond milk or soy milk.

Is egg cream the same as eggnog?

Eggnog is a very different drink, as you’ll see from this recipe. The main difference is that eggnog is actually made with milk/cream, sugar, and eggs.

Can we tempt you with these other homemade drink recipes?

Easy Eggnog Recipe (Without Eggs)

Deep Fried Ice Cream Milkshakes

Sweet Tea Recipe

Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Mocha Coffee Floats

Caramel Apple Milkshake

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Egg Cream

Made with just three ingredients, this egg cream is an old-fashioned milkshake recipe that doesn't actually include egg or cream.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Calories: 114kcal

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.

    2 tablespoons syrup of your choice

  • Add milk and stir vigorously.

    1/3 cup whole milk

  • Add in club soda slowly, leaving room for it to fizz at the top.

    3/4-1 cup cold club soda or seltzer water

  • Insert a straw and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal

Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

A bad attitude is like a flat tire…

you can’t go anywhere until you change it.

~Unknown.

Submitted by Val.

Egg Cream Recipe (3 Ingredients Only) - Southern Plate (2024)

FAQs

What is egg cream made of? ›

An egg cream is a cold beverage consisting of milk, carbonated water, and flavored syrup (typically chocolate or vanilla), as a substitute for an ice cream float. Ideally, the glass is left with 2⁄3 liquid and 1⁄3 foamy head. Despite the name, the drink contains neither eggs nor cream.

Why is it called an egg cream? ›

There are a few theories: Some say it's a variation of the Yiddish word, “echt keem” which means, “pure sweetness”. Another idea is that it's Brooklyn speak for “a cream”. It also could have been named for the creamy froth on top of the drink that looks kind of like a foamy, egg white top.

Can you put raw egg in milkshake? ›

I add a touch of sugar, a touch of vanilla, and occasionally a raw egg for extra frothy creaminess! Don't worry, the raw egg is optional! Milkshakes can be considered drinks that go perfectly with a hamburger and French fries, or they can even be considered as dessert, or a mid-day treat.

What is a NY egg cream? ›

This classic New York City drink is made in minutes with only three ingredients: U-bet Chocolate Syrup, ice cold milk and freshly opened ice cold seltzer water. This drink is bubbly and so refreshing; you'll want to make it again and again. Is it a milkshake? No.

What does an egg cream taste like? ›

What does egg cream taste like? Like a very thin, fizzy, watered-down milkshake. But it tastes good, so I suppose that's not really the best description. It's more like a watered-down, carbonated hot chocolate.

What is Yoo Hoo made of? ›

So, what's in Yoo-hoo? Their website states that a bottle of chocolate Yoo-hoo contains water, high fructose corn syrup, and whey (a liquid that naturally surfaces after milk has been curdled via processing—it may look weird by itself, but it's full of nutrients like calcium, protein, and good-for-you fats).

What's the difference between eggnog and egg cream? ›

Unlike in an egg cream—a similar old-timey drink that actually gets its name from the foamy, whipped egg white-like texture achieved by mixing seltzer and dairy fat—the “egg” in eggnog is very, very real.

What is the difference between egg cream and Italian soda? ›

Egg creams rely on chocolate and milk to create a creamy, sweet sip. Italian sodas generally favor fruitier, lighter flavors, which can be pretty refreshing on a warm summer day.

What does egg and milk do to the body? ›

Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles. By consuming milk and eggs together, individuals can increase their protein intake, which can help to support their overall health and well-being. Another benefit of consuming milk and eggs together is that they are both excellent sources of calcium.

Can you eat an egg that shakes? ›

The Shake Test

Simply hold the egg to your ear and shake it. If you don't hear anything, your egg is likely okay to eat. If you hear a rattle or the sound of liquid moving around, the egg white has deteriorated, deeming it no longer fresh and firm but old and watery.

Can I crack an egg into my protein shake? ›

I can't recommend adding raw eggs to your morning shake, even if they're organic. While it might seem like a convenient way to boost your protein intake, there are some significant safety risks to consider: 1. Salmonella Risk: Raw eggs can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

What does NY egg cream taste like? ›

There's something specifically nostalgic about an egg cream, which, for the uninitiated, is simply a milky, (usually) chocolate soda. It's refreshingly fizzy but not too sweet, with a foamy head that resembles blowing bubbles into chocolate milk with a straw.

Is egg cream good? ›

Too much chocolate results in a drink that's cloyingly sweet. Too much seltzer from the soda fountain, and the drink will taste diluted, a bubbly embodiment of disappointment. An egg cream is the perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and effervescence. And a very good egg cream is a frothy, refreshing treat.

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