Orange Cream Soda

OMG guys I’m seriously obsessed with this orange cream soda recipe! After trying like a million store-bought versions, I finally figured out how to make this at home and it’s SO much better. If you’ve ever had those orange cream popsicles as a kid, this tastes exactly like that but in drink form! The combo of fizzy orange and smooth vanilla cream is just perfect for hot days. Stick around to learn how to whip up this refreshing treat in just minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Orange Cream Soda

Making homemade orange cream soda is a total game-changer. Most store brands have tons of weird ingredients and cost way too much. This solves both problems!

I started experimenting with cream orange soda recipes last summer when my kids kept begging for those fancy bottled ones at the grocery store. After spending ridiculous amounts on Stewart’s orange cream soda weekly, I decided to try making it myself. Honestly my first attempt was WAY too sweet (my husband couldn’t even finish his glass!), but after some tweaking, I found the perfect balance.

What’s awesome about this recipe is you can make it as sweet or creamy as you want. Got picky kids? Adjust it to their taste! Plus it’s so simple – just a few ingredients and you’re done. Ready to see how easy it is to make this delicious orange cream soda at home?

Ingredients for Orange Cream Soda

This is the best part – you only need a few simple ingredients:

• Orange soda – Any brand works, but I prefer ones with real orange juice. Fanta, Sunkist or Crush all work great for cream orange soda.
• Vanilla creamer – This is the secret to that perfect creamy texture! French vanilla coffee creamer gives the best flavor, but regular vanilla works too.
• Ice cubes – Plenty of them! This drink needs to be super cold.
• Fresh oranges – For garnish but they also add extra orange flavor.

That’s it! Just 4 ingredients for the basic recipe. But if you wanna get fancy and make everything from scratch, I’ve included that below too!

For Homemade Orange Cream Soda from Scratch

Orange Syrup:

• Fresh oranges – About 5-6 medium oranges for juice and zest
• Sugar – Regular white sugar works best
• Water – Filtered is better
• Orange extract – Just a tiny bit for extra flavor
• Citric acid – Optional but gives that tangy soda kick

Cream Component:

• Heavy cream – Makes it rich and dreamy
• Vanilla extract – Real vanilla, not imitation
• Sweetened condensed milk – My secret ingredient for the perfect creaminess

To Serve:

• Club soda – For the fizz factor
• Ice – Lots of it!

How to Make Orange Cream Soda (Easy Version)

This basic version takes literally 2 minutes to make:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes – be generous!
2. Pour orange soda into the glass, filling about 3/4 full.
3. Here’s the trick for that pretty layered look – slowly pour the vanilla creamer over the back of a spoon onto the ice. This lets it float on top instead of mixing right away.
4. Add an orange slice for garnish.
5. Serve with a straw and spoon for stirring.

This method creates a gorgeous two-layer drink that looks super impressive but is actually super easy! The orange soda stays at the bottom while the creamy vanilla floats on top. It’s pretty enough for parties but simple enough for everyday treats.

How to Make Homemade Orange Cream Soda (From Scratch)

Want the full homemade experience? Here’s how to make everything from scratch:

Step 1: Make Orange Syrup

1. Zest 2-3 oranges using a microplane or grater. Be careful to just get the orange part, not the white stuff.
2. Juice enough oranges to get 1 cup of fresh juice.
3. In a pot, mix juice, zest, 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Heat on medium, stirring until sugar dissolves.
4. Let it bubble for about 5 mins to get slightly thicker.
5. Remove from heat, strain out the zest bits.
6. Add 1/4 tsp orange extract and a tiny pinch of citric acid if using.
7. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Make Cream Mixture

1. Mix 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk.
2. Whisk until smooth and chill in fridge at least 30 mins.

Step 3: Assemble Your Soda

1. Add 3 tbsp orange syrup to a glass.
2. Fill glass 2/3 with club soda and stir gently.
3. Add ice cubes.
4. Carefully pour 3 tbsp of cream mixture over the back of a spoon to create that layered effect.
5. Garnish with orange slice.

Pro tip: The syrup and cream mixture can be made ahead and stored in the fridge, so you can quickly make fresh orange cream soda anytime!

Variations of Orange Cream Soda

Strawberry Orange Cream

Add strawberry syrup to the orange soda for a fruity twist. The strawberry-orange combo is seriously amazing!

Coconut Orange Cream

Use coconut cream instead of regular cream for tropical vibes. It’s like a vacation in a glass!

Orange Cream Float

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of the cream mixture. It’s basically dessert in a cup!

Sparkling Orange Cream

Use sparkling water and orange juice concentrate instead of orange soda for a less sweet version. Great if you’re watching sugar!

Henry Weinhard’s Copycat

Add a tiny drop of almond extract to the cream mixture to mimic the famous Henry Weinhard orange cream soda flavor!

FAQs About Orange Cream Soda

What flavor is orange cream soda?

Orange cream soda tastes like an orange creamsicle in liquid form! It combines sweet, tangy orange flavor with smooth vanilla creaminess. The taste is super nostalgic – kinda like those orange push-up pops from the ice cream truck but fizzy. It’s sweet but refreshing with that perfect balance of citrus and cream.

Is Orange Cream Coke limited edition?

Yep, Orange Cream Coke was released as a limited edition flavor that comes and goes. Unlike my homemade orange cream soda recipe that you can make anytime, Coca-Cola only brings out their orange cream version sometimes as a special thing. That’s why learning to make your own is so handy – you don’t have to wait for Coke to decide to release it again!

Who made the original orange Creamsicle?

The original orange Creamsicle was invented by the Popsicle company back in the 1920s. A guy named Frank Epperson came up with the idea of combining orange sherbet with vanilla ice cream on a stick. This classic frozen treat is what inspired all the orange cream flavored stuff we love today, including cream orange soda. Pretty cool history, right?

Is orange cream coke the same as orange vanilla coke?

Not exactly! They sound similar but orange cream Coke has more of that creamsicle vibe with blended flavors, while orange vanilla Coke has more distinct separate orange and vanilla tastes. My homemade orange cream soda recipe is def closer to the creamsicle-style orange cream Coke version.

Is orange cream Coca-Cola permanent?

Nope! Orange cream Coca-Cola isn’t part of their regular lineup. They just release it occasionally for limited runs. That’s another reason why making homemade orange cream soda is so great – you get to have it whenever you want!

Can I make this ahead for a party?

You can prep components ahead but don’t mix everything until serving time! For the easy version, keep your orange soda and creamer cold in the fridge. For the scratch version, the orange syrup keeps for 2 weeks refrigerated and the cream mixture for about 3 days. Just don’t add anything carbonated until right before serving or it’ll go flat.

How do I get that perfect layered look?

The secret is pouring the cream super slowly over an ice cube or the back of a spoon. This breaks the fall of the liquid so it doesn’t splash into the soda. Also make sure everything is COLD – warm ingredients won’t layer properly!

Why This Homemade Orange Cream Soda Rocks

Seriously, once you try making homemade orange cream soda, you’ll never go back to just buying it! My whole family gets excited when I make this now. My husband even requested it for his birthday instead of his usual beer!

What I love most about this recipe is how it brings back childhood memories but in a grown-up way. It reminds me of when my grandma would buy us those orange push-up pops from the ice cream truck. Now I make this for my own kids and they think I’m some kind of kitchen wizard!

Give this orange cream soda recipe a try next time you need something special but super easy. It’s perfect for summer hangouts, kids’ parties, or just because it’s Tuesday and you deserve something awesome! Trust me, once you know how to make this, you’ll find yourself craving it all the time!

Tag me if you make this! I’d love to see your version of this refreshing orange cream soda!