What I’m about to tell you is a little….odd.
The fact that you can mix together sparkling water, chocolate syrup and almond milk and have an utterly delicious and satisfying drink? Weird. Totally weird.
But sometimes weird works. I mean deviled eggs? Weird. Smoothies with spinach in them? Weird. Penny loafers with four-inch heels? Weird…but amazing.
I think the weirdest thing though about egg creams is that they don’t contain any egg whatsoever! I mean, why didn’t someone name them chocolate sodas instead? For years, I’ve steered clear whenever I’ve seen egg creams grace a diner menu, thinking who in the right mind would drink something with raw egg and cream in it? YUCK.
Friends, allow me to clear up this little rumor now and forever.
When you mix these ingredients together, what you get is a chocolate Italian soda of sorts…carbonated chocolate milk? But in a good way! (is that weird?)
It’s one of the quickest ways to squelch a chocolate craving (other than eating chocolate chips by the handful) and is actually quite refreshing in the summer heat. Since I was intrigued by the idea, I couldn’t help but research egg creams on Wikipedia to see what came up.
“An egg cream is a beverage consisting of chocolate syrup, milk and soda water, probably dating from the late 19th century, and is especially associated with Brooklyn, home of it’s alleged inventor, candy store owner Louis Auster. It contains neither eggs, cream, nor ice cream.”
Am I the only one who is equally excited and bewildered by this?
Egg Creams
serves 2
Ingredients:
2 cups sparkling water
6 T chocolate syrup
6 T almond milk or soy milk
2 vanilla beans (or two tsp vanilla extract)
Directions:
In each glass, combine one cup of sparkling water with three tablespoons of chocolate syrup, three tablespoons of milk and seeds of one vanilla bean (or one tsp vanilla extract).
Serve with or without whipped cream
Time:
5 minutes
Clair
August 4, 2011 at 4:39 amWe grew up at the Jersey shore making these with chocolate soda and milk…yes, the chocolate soda came pre-made! It was soo delicious even without the milk.
These look amazing…and healthier. =)
Holly @ The Runny Egg
August 4, 2011 at 4:40 amOver the weekend we went to a really cute ice cream shop that served these — my brother in law got one (I thought they sounded horrible) but I had a taste it was delicious!
Molly @ RDexposed
August 4, 2011 at 4:41 amI have never even heard of an egg cream before! I’m so intrigued now.
Hayley @ Hayley Daily
August 4, 2011 at 4:42 amWeird…is the right word, I think! I’ve always assumed egg creams had some kind of egg in them, so I just avoided, haha. But that looks and sounds good! Thanks for the idea. 🙂
Heather @ Side of Sneakers
August 4, 2011 at 4:43 amAll these years and I had NO idea there was no egg in an egg cream. Now I’m just fascinated!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
August 4, 2011 at 4:48 ami’ll take anything that squelches a chocolate craving in the dead of summer…bring on the egg creams!
Blog is the New Black
August 4, 2011 at 4:50 amLooks wonderful! 🙂
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance
August 4, 2011 at 4:51 amThere aren’t any eggs in an egg cream?! I’ve been living a lie!
Mara @ What's for Dinner?
August 4, 2011 at 4:55 amI grew up on egg creams and phosphates (an egg cream without the milk) and I have to tell you: the best ones use Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup. Try it… And if you can’t find the syrup, I’ll seriously send you some!!
VeggieGirl
August 4, 2011 at 5:47 amAgreed!
sherri
August 4, 2011 at 8:03 ami third it!!
Erin W.
August 4, 2011 at 11:07 amI’ve never heard of or seen that brand of chocolate syrup. Where can I find it?
jenna
August 4, 2011 at 11:12 amit’s from Trader Joe’s!
alyssa - fashion fitness foodie
August 4, 2011 at 4:55 amI’ve never even heard of an egg cream! But i’m down for anything chocolate 🙂
Natasha
August 4, 2011 at 4:59 amThis actually sounds delicious! But, then again, anything with chocolate sounds delicious. Another oddity – chocolate milk w/ a side of cheddar cheese or cheddar cheese dipped in chocolate ice cream. That definitely sounds like the craving of a super-pregnant lady but I promise you, I’m not and if you love cheese, try it.
OveLoves
Hilliary@HappilyEverHealthy
August 4, 2011 at 5:01 amI always thought egg creams had some kind of egg in them! Interesting!
Cassie @ Back to Her Roots
August 4, 2011 at 5:02 amI have never heard of a egg cream before, we DO call these chocolate sodas! I used to get them from the apothecary soda fountain in my hometown all the time as a kid. Regionalism?
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
August 4, 2011 at 5:02 amThat really does sound weird, but looks delicious! I’ll have extra chocolate chips with mine please! 😉
Shep
August 4, 2011 at 5:07 amI’m drooling. Is it weird that I’m drooling over this at 8:06am? Whatever. I’m not ashamed.
Lizzie
August 4, 2011 at 5:09 amToo late Jenna – I already chocolate chips by the handful last night!! 🙂
Lesley Lifting Life
August 4, 2011 at 5:10 amIt’s certainly an intriguing combination … in a delicious kind of way, too.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
August 4, 2011 at 5:14 amThis sounds so cool! I have never even heard of these before 🙂
Ann
August 4, 2011 at 5:21 amMy chocolate syrup container has a similar egg cream recipe on the back, and I’ve been meaning to try it! Maybe tonight for dessert… I totally agree, before seeing the recipe, I was thinking it was some sort of raw egg drink and thought it sounded disgusting!
Mary @ Fervent Foodie
August 4, 2011 at 5:25 amAs much as a love eggs, the thought of drinking them wasn’t exactly appealing. Now that I know the secret, I’m pumped to try an egg cream!
Faith @ lovelyascharged
August 4, 2011 at 5:29 amThat is beyond bewildering – why not just call it chocolate soda?
Daisy
August 4, 2011 at 5:29 amfascinating. i must make this. and add vodka to it.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
August 4, 2011 at 5:31 amI can’t believe the almond milk doesn’t do funky things in this! Love the pictures here.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
August 4, 2011 at 5:38 amI used to love egg creams!! I haven’t thought about those in years. Brings back childhood memories. 🙂
grace b
August 4, 2011 at 5:40 amWow I had never really given it that much thought but you’re right–it is weird that there isn’t any eggs OR cream in it…
Yoga update! Third day in a row and I’m feeling pretty good. One thing I LOVE about yoga is how it energizes and strengthens you. I’m also drinking my 10th-juice-as-breakfast-in a row and that totally helps.
Angela (Oh She Glows)
August 4, 2011 at 5:41 amLooooove these photos!
Alcohol would be fun to add in there too. Maybe mint vodka?
Susan
August 4, 2011 at 6:08 amAgreed! The only way to make a drink better is by adding alcohol! 😉
Molly
August 4, 2011 at 5:52 amglad to hear egg creams don’t have eggs! Who knew! Now I will give them a try. Thanks!
The Blue-Eyed Bakers
August 4, 2011 at 5:54 amWe are bewildered and excited right along side you. But mainly excited.
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove
August 4, 2011 at 5:59 amMy mom drinks these all the time. She even buys a special chocolate syrup to use in it. I might try making these and seeing if she can tell the difference!!
Krissy @ Shiawase Life
August 4, 2011 at 6:04 amI’ve never heard of an egg cream, but I have had a chocolate soda and this looks even better! thanks for the informative post!!
Kristen @ Change of Pace
August 4, 2011 at 6:05 amI steal my daughters chocolate syrup and almost do the same thing. I just add coffee instead of sparkling water. I’ll have to try it with the sparkling water!
Louise
August 4, 2011 at 6:06 amI’m going to make this for my husband. He is a chocolate milk fanatic.
Micaela
August 4, 2011 at 6:09 amMy friend’s mom is from Brooklyn and used to make these for us in high school. I remember hearing from someone that it’s called an egg cream because when you pour in the soda water it foams up into an egg shape. Not sure if it’s true though.
Brooke @ BittersweetBrooke
August 4, 2011 at 6:09 amI never knew that about egg creams either! I was equally grossed out at the thought of raw egg and cream as a drink but now that I know the drink is sans egg and cream I’ totally in! Fizzy chocolate, yes please!
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet
August 4, 2011 at 6:11 amI’m fascinated right now. And craving lots of chocolate. I think I’ll make myself an egg cream to go with lunch!
Pippa @ Sunday Suppers with Pippa
August 4, 2011 at 6:14 amI live in New York and have never had an egg cream. Maybe I will try it now!
Erika @ The Teenage Taste
August 4, 2011 at 6:15 amI’ve never had an egg cream before, but now I HAVE to! This looks extremely good! 😀
katie @KatieDid
August 4, 2011 at 6:16 amWow never as much as even heard of an egg cream! I wonder if it’s a regional thing? Or maybe I just live in a cave…. well yes vermont can be compared to cave living. But it seems tasty to me!
Ida
August 4, 2011 at 6:27 amI used to love egg creams as a kid- mostly b/c of Harriet the Spy!
Amara @girlinawhirl
August 7, 2011 at 6:01 pmHa! I knew I’d heard of these! Now I know where from 🙂
Clare @ Fitting It All In
August 4, 2011 at 6:31 amI was seriously awake last night trying to think of a way to satisfy my chocolate cravings without just buying a bag of chocolate chips or drinking hot chocolate in the summer. This is PERFECT.
Mary Beth
August 4, 2011 at 6:39 amI have never heard of this either. Can’t wait to try it!
Cait's Plate
August 4, 2011 at 6:41 amI don’t think I’ve ever even heard of “egg creams” but this is definitely a drink I could get on board with (I think I’m more turned on given that they DON’T contain any eggs). Love your photos – the chocolate spilling over the glass? Incredible.
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday
August 4, 2011 at 6:44 amIs it weird that I’ve never heard of egg creams?
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
August 4, 2011 at 6:45 amIs it weird that I’ve never heard of egg creams ?
Caitlin
August 4, 2011 at 6:57 amIt’s so funny that you posted this because my friend was just talking about egg creams last night and I had no idea what they were! I had to look them up on Wikipedia and then decided that they sounded pretty good. Thanks for the recipe! I’ll have to try one myself.
Julie
August 4, 2011 at 7:08 amReminds me a bit of a Paralyzer – the boozy cousin perhaps? Kahlua, vodka, coke, milk. Shockingly good. Shark Week has put me in a Great White Russian mood.
Sonia (the Mexigarian)
August 4, 2011 at 10:11 amshark week is going on??? dang it. I am out of the loop.
Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine
August 4, 2011 at 7:11 amYum. 🙂 The best part is the time–5 minutes–can’t beat that! Less time than it takes to make a smoothie!
anne
August 4, 2011 at 7:17 amA recent article about them:
http://www.forward.com/articles/140653/
Running Betty
August 4, 2011 at 7:18 amI had this friend at NYU whose “thing” was to always order off the menu. She’d walk into a restaurant in the middle of NYC, never pick up the menu, and just ask the server to make a creation she had in her head. And she could afford to pay whatever surcharge they gave her. It was kind of cool, but I think she missed out on some professional specialty items. Anytime we met up at a greasy diner, she’d order a chocolate egg cream. Sometimes she’d have to teach them how to make it (like me at a bar ordering a sidecar.)
This reminds me of the yummy concoction I made last night:
http://runningbetty.com/bad-girl-drink
How would Kahlua taste in your recipe??
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather
August 4, 2011 at 7:19 amThat sounds kinda weird but looks so good!
Bev Weidner
August 4, 2011 at 7:24 amI had never even HEARD of this until now. I’m dying and crying. New love. Right this second.
Holy mother…
Katherine
August 4, 2011 at 7:27 amHa, I grew up drinking these. Brings back some memories for sure!
Amy
August 4, 2011 at 7:27 amI never knew what these were called but I’ve been mixing chocolate-flavored coconut water with sparkling water for these last few months and it’s delicious! I imagine it tastes much the same as this. Yum! 🙂
Beth
August 4, 2011 at 7:31 amooh, I used to make these all the time as a kid (less the vanilla bean). I still make them occasionally now. Delicious and refreshing!
Lisa
August 4, 2011 at 7:36 amUm, thanks for clearing this up. I, too, have steered clear of egg creams because it sounded so ick nast. Thanks to you an egg cream now sounds surprisingly delicious.
Mary (What's Cookin with Mary)
August 4, 2011 at 7:39 amJust waking up and this is my first post (and first sip of coffee) and when I saw the first pictures all I could think was …. yes. I would drink that. 😉 I have to admit, sparkling water and chocolate seems strange, but I’m strange… so maybe a match made in heavan ?
Girl in the pink
August 4, 2011 at 7:50 amI’ve never heard if egg creams, but I love Italian sodas! I must try!
Karen @ She Flies With Her Own Wings
August 4, 2011 at 8:03 amI’ve heard of egg creams and always thought they were some bizarre and kind of disgusting vintage recipe… like aspic or all those casseroles in cookbooks from the ’70s. Even without the egg, I’m not sure how this drink would taste? Like watered down chocolate almond milk? I guess you could say I’m still a skeptic… but the pictures make it look delicious!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables
August 4, 2011 at 8:03 amWoah I totally would have avoided egg creams… but now I totally want to try one!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
August 4, 2011 at 8:12 amWow–this is not what I thought I was going to see when I clicked on this post. I am so intrigued by this!
Ella
August 4, 2011 at 8:17 amI had never heard of egg creams until I moved from the west coast to NYC. Can anyone speak to whether they are an east coast thing? And I admit they sounded way too gross to try even tho I lived right by a corner deli that boasted about their egg creams!
Alison @ Hospitality Haven
August 4, 2011 at 8:24 amVery interesting! I’d never actually heard of egg creams prior to this moment…but it sounds tasty! 🙂
Kelsey @ aslolife
August 4, 2011 at 8:30 amDefinitely weird, but definitely looks delicious!
Urban Wife
August 4, 2011 at 8:30 amI never knew what ‘egg creams’ were either. So glad it isn’t what it sounds like, though! I have everything minus the chocolate syrup, although I bet I could melt my own chocolate and use that instead. 🙂
Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter)
August 4, 2011 at 8:43 amHaha to this day, I totally thought there were eggs involved as well. Looks delicious- like sparkling choco milk!
steph
August 4, 2011 at 8:56 amYou need to make a brisket sandwich on rye next to pair with this!!!!! I <3 egg creams
French Heart
August 4, 2011 at 9:01 amLove organic almond milk….not really a chocolate person…but made me think, hmm, never heard of egg cream in California, but we did have Orange Julius. So I’ll do OJ, sparkling water, almond milk, vanilla, ice…blender…mint garnish. Thanks for the idea!! 🙂
Lauren
August 4, 2011 at 9:05 amI live in New York and have definitely heard of egg creams…but I never realized they don’t actually contain egg. Interesting. Your version looks yummy!
Shelley@MileHighHealthy
August 4, 2011 at 9:10 amAs a vegan, when I saw this title in my blog reader I almost didn’t even read the post!! I was thinking…egg cream? Well there’s two things I definitely don’t include in my diet!! I am originally from Arkansas and I have never heard of these. But I am a bit of a chocoholic and this sounds like an interesting and delicious way to get a chocolate fix (but yes, sometimes I do eat chocolate chips by the handful…whatever works!).
Maria
August 4, 2011 at 9:23 amI had always been confused about what an “egg cream” was.
But now it’s official. I must have one.
monica
August 4, 2011 at 9:41 amAfter reading the ingredients, I was a little confused. Sparkling water with ‘milk’? But I think you’ve sold me on it, as long as there are definitely no eggs! 🙂
Ashley
August 4, 2011 at 9:47 amI am excited and I’ve never heard of it before. Can’t wait to try it!
Sonia (the Mexigarian)
August 4, 2011 at 10:12 amNever heard of or had an egg creamer before. Now that I know, I will be giving it a try this week! It will definitely sooth my chocolate craving. Thanks for the intel 🙂
Cat @Breakfast to Bed
August 4, 2011 at 10:21 amLiving in Brooklyn, these are a STAPLE. Have you ever tried Fox’s U-Bet vanilla syrup? mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
candace
August 4, 2011 at 10:22 amI also thought that egg creams had egg in them. Who knew? Now I want to try one.
Julie
August 4, 2011 at 10:45 amI can’t really wrap my brain around carbonated chocolate milk….Interesting, maybe I’ll give it a go!
Dee
August 4, 2011 at 10:54 amOh my! I think I have the urge to go an explore Brooklyn and try to find a place that serves this! This looks amazing.
Or… I could make it myself. Or I could do both! *light bulb turns on* Heh.
Dee
August 4, 2011 at 10:54 amand by an, I mean and*. oops.
R @ Learning As I Chop
August 4, 2011 at 10:57 amI used to drink these growing-up. My old babysitter, a tried-and-true NY woman, would make them for me. So nostalgic for me!
Jess
August 4, 2011 at 10:59 amMy dad always made me drink these down the shore! Never liked them, but yours looks great!!!
Carissa
August 4, 2011 at 11:04 amWhen I read the post title I thought it was going to be a souffle type thing. This is WAAAAAAY better. Yum!
Katrina
August 4, 2011 at 11:13 amahaha I love the “midnight moo”! So funny. This is a super weird combination, but I’m always willing to give weird a try!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
August 4, 2011 at 11:38 amWhat an interesting and awesome recipe, Jenna!
Almond milk and Choc Syrup are perfect together…and I bet the sparkling water adds a fun pizazz!
Some of the most “interesting” and strangely named recipes are some of the best!
Katie
August 4, 2011 at 11:54 amMy literary heroine Harriet the Spy drank egg creams. She also ate tomato sandwiches. Hence she seemed very exotic and sophisticated to me as a kid, as both sounded really gross. Glad to know that no eggs are involved in the making of an egg cream! Sounds delish. A tomato sandwich, however…hmmm….
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
August 4, 2011 at 7:11 pmthat’s where i heard of egg creams! i knew it was somewhere! 🙂 i loved harriet the spy. next time i go home, maybe i should find the book and re-read it. haha!
Mauimandy@The Grains of Paradise
August 4, 2011 at 12:20 pmOkay, I’m intrigued….must try.
nivcharayahel
August 4, 2011 at 1:00 pmI love egg creams, though I’ve never thought to try it with almond milk. With milk, at least, if you 1) put the ingredients in the glass in this order: chocolate syrup, milk, soda water and 2) pour the soda water in over the back of a spoon to break up the stream of soda, it will make the milk froth up a whole lot. Then, when you stir the ingredients together, you’ll end up with a lovely white foam atop the chocolate soda. I think this may be why it’s called an egg cream, as the white foam looks a lot like a layer of meringue. Don’t know if this would work with almond or soy milk.
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
August 4, 2011 at 3:06 pmOh wow! Yummy 😉
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
August 4, 2011 at 3:10 pmi always though egg creams sounded gross. but now, they look appetizing. thanks jenna!
Mellie
August 4, 2011 at 3:53 pmyum! I’ve never had a chocolate soda but it looks good!
Emily @ Comfortable Home Life
August 4, 2011 at 4:00 pmMMmmMMmmm chocolate drink? I’m in!! Like most other people, I had never heard of an egg cream either. I was expecting a chocolate Easter-like candy!
Allison
August 4, 2011 at 4:54 pmHow interesting! I totally thought this was a drink with eggs. I thought about eggnog and drinks like that. I’m glad to hear that it’s not and this is definitely something I’m going to try!
Katie @ peacebeme
August 4, 2011 at 4:59 pmI have to admit this made me GAG! Ewww.
I do love deviled eggs!
eatlovedrink
August 4, 2011 at 6:12 pmLike a vegan Yoo-hoo? http://www.drinkyoo-hoo.com/about/default.aspx
Yoo-hoo always scared me…this looks way better! Also glad to read the talk about Fox’s U-bet. I’ve heard that’s good…now feeling inspired to seek it out.
Amanda
August 4, 2011 at 6:32 pmI heard about egg creams through a friend who is currently living in New Jersey. When I went to visit her last fall, we made it our mission to try an egg cream in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, we failed, as no one seemed to know what we were talking about! At least now I know how to make an egg cream myself for my next visit. Thanks!
meghan@ struggle muffins
August 4, 2011 at 6:54 pmPerplexing….I wonder what was going through Louis’ head when he arrived at the name ‘egg cream’…
Not that it matters, because they look yumtastic – thanks for taking the mystery and fear out of what once sounded like a really unappealing drink 🙂
chand
August 4, 2011 at 7:46 pmoh…Chocolate ice cream soda. My first child is practically made of these. Once a week while I was expecting him I would treat myself to an old fashion ice cream soda. love.
kathleen
August 4, 2011 at 9:30 pmI’m excited by those delicious looking chocolate drops. Yummmmm. And aqua blue drinking straws!
Jackie @ That Deep Breath
August 5, 2011 at 6:41 amI’ve never heard of egg creams! Is this an east coast thing?
Chocolate-Covered Katie
August 5, 2011 at 9:25 amThat first photo? Pure gorgeousness. Beautiful as usual, Jenna.
P.S. But I think the last photo is my favorite… how it zooms in on the chocolate :).
Dominique
August 5, 2011 at 10:42 pmI’ve heard of egg cream before but only because of my BF and our trip to New York City a couple of years back. We were at Katz’s Deli in the Lower East Side when he tried it for the first time. No chocolate flavor though so I’m thinking we were jipped. I wasn’t totally crazy about it but maybe I would be if it contained chocolate syrup.
Brooke @ Tales of A Bride-To-Be
August 7, 2011 at 4:00 pmThanks of a great post! Love finding new ways to use healthy ingredients that taste delicious!
egg - DIET AND EXERCISES – DIET AND EXERCISES
August 7, 2011 at 6:43 pm[…] egg creams Eat, Live, Run I think the weirdest thing though about egg creams is that they don’t contain any egg whatsoever! I mean, why didn’t someone name them chocolate sodas instead? For years, I’ve steered clear whenever I’ve seen egg creams … http://www.eatliverun.com/egg- .. […]
Alexa @ Simple Eats
August 9, 2011 at 2:11 pmI think in the OLD days they actually used to put a raw egg in it…hence the name!
Shelley
August 12, 2011 at 2:08 amsooooooooo do you eat the chocolate chips after you use them in the photo?
April Knight
December 1, 2019 at 8:15 amInteresting recipe!))
Try this – https://greenann.com/recipe/sesame-milk/
Sesame seeds with milk and honey! Delicious!)