Black cherry cream soda is a popular carbonated soft drink flavored with black cherry and vanilla. It often has a bright pink or reddish-purple color and a sweet, fruity taste. Cream soda gets its name from the vanilla and cream flavors used to give it a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. The addition of black cherry flavoring gives this classic soda a fun new twist.
Black cherry cream sodas are caffeinated sodas that provide a refreshing, indulgent treat. They have become a nostalgic, comfort drink for many people. Read on to learn more about the history, ingredients, nutrition facts, and taste of black cherry cream soda.
History of Black Cherry Cream Soda
Cream soda has its origins in the late 1800s pharmacies in the United States. Pharmacists experimented with flavored soda waters and created sodas flavored with vanilla, chocolate, fruit extracts and other flavorings. These handcrafted sodas were considered health tonics at the time.
The first mass-produced cream soda is believed to have been made by Wisconsin pharmacist William Glass in 1885. He partnered with a bottling works to produce and bottle his soda on a large scale under the brand name Cream Soda. The soda became popular across the country in the early 1900s.
Cherry-flavored sodas also gained popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi released cherry-flavored colas during this time period. It is likely that cherry and cream soda flavors were combined to create the first black cherry cream sodas sometime in the early 20th century.
Throughout the 1900s, many soda companies produced their own versions of black cherry cream soda. Brands like A&W Cream Soda, Sprecher, Dad’s, Henry Weinhard’s, and Thomas Kemper are well-known for their black cherry cream soda products.
Black cherry cream soda remains a mainstay soda fountain flavor today. It is also available bottled and canned at grocery stores across the United States and North America.
Ingredients in Black Cherry Cream Soda
Black cherry cream soda contains 4-6 key ingredients that provide its signature taste and appearance:
Carbonated Water
The base of any soda is carbonated water, which provides the bubbly, effervescent texture. Carbonated water contains injected carbon dioxide gas.
High Fructose Corn Syrup or Cane Sugar
Like most other sodas, black cherry cream sodas get their sweetness from added sugars. Traditionally, cane sugar provided the sweetness in sodas. However, most mass-produced modern sodas use high fructose corn syrup as a cheaper alternative. Some specialty soda brands do use cane sugar.
Natural and Artificial Flavors
Natural and artificial cherry and vanilla flavors give black cherry cream soda its distinctive taste. Natural flavorings derived from cherries and vanilla beans provide authentic flavor. Artificial flavors enhance and mimic the flavors.
Caramel Color
Caramel color gives black cherry cream soda its pinkish-purple hue. This food coloring comes from heated carbohydrates like corn or wheat.
Phosphoric Acid
A small amount of phosphoric acid helps give soda its tangy bite and aids in carbonation.
Caffeine
Many mainstream black cherry cream sodas contain caffeine, usually around 23-55 mg per 12 oz can. Caffeine works as a flavor enhancer and gives soda’s bubbles a sharper feel. Some specialty sodas offer caffeine-free versions.
Nutrition Facts for Black Cherry Cream Soda
Here is the nutrition information for a typical 12 ounce can of black cherry cream soda:
| Nutrition Facts | 12 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Sodium 55mg | 2% |
| Total Carbohydrate 41g | 14% |
| – Sugar 41g | |
| Protein 0g |
As you can see, black cherry cream soda is high in calories and sugar. A 12 ounce can provides 160 calories, all of which come from carbohydrates in the form of sugars. There are 41 grams of sugar in a can – over 10 teaspoons worth.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams per day for men. Just one can of black cherry cream soda exceeds this daily limit.
Besides calories and sugar, black cherry cream soda has no other macronutrients like protein or fat. It also contains no micronutrients like vitamins or minerals. While sodas can be enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat, they lack nutritional value. Water and low-calorie beverages make healthier daily drink choices.
The Taste of Black Cherry Cream Soda
So what does black cherry cream soda taste like? Here is a description of the key flavor notes in this soda:
Sweetness
Black cherry cream soda is very sweet thanks to all the added sugar. The sweetness overwhelms most of the other flavors.
Cherry
An initial hit of cherry flavor comes through right away. It tastes like maraschino cherry syrup, lacking the complexity of real cherry juice.
Vanilla
Subtle vanilla flavor can be detected, most noticeable on the finish. It gives the soda a creamy, smooth mouthfeel.
Bubbles
The carbonation level is high, providing a very fizzy, bubbly sensation. The bubbles feel sharp and tingly on the tongue.
Tartness
There is a slightly tart, acidic bite at the end from the phosphoric acid. This helps cut through the sweetness a bit.
Overall, black cherry cream soda is extremely sweet with candy-like cherry and vanilla flavors. The flavors are one-dimensional compared to flavors from actual cherries and vanilla beans. But the sugariness and bubbles create a fun, energizing drinking experience.
Where to Buy Black Cherry Cream Soda
Black cherry cream soda can be purchased from a variety of grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, soda shops, and online:
Grocery Stores
The soda aisle at grocery stores will carry mainstream brands like A&W, Sprecher, Henry Weinhard’s, IBC, and Stewart’s. Regional sodas may also be available.
Convenience/Gas Stores
Convenience stores and gas stations will have a limited selection of the major soda brands.
Soda Shops
Vintage soda fountains and soda specialty shops will have unique craft sodas and homemade black cherry cream sodas on tap. These sodas use pure cane sugar and natural flavors.
Online
Many specialty soda brands sell their black cherry cream sodas online. Buying online allows you access to small-batch craft sodas from across the country.
When buying soda in bottles and cans, be sure to check the expiration date for freshness. For the ultimate experience, try a freshly made black cherry cream soda from a soda fountain. The flavors will taste their freshest and the carbonation will be perfect.
Popular Brands of Black Cherry Cream Soda
There are many brands producing black cherry cream soda today. Here are some of the top brands to try:
A&W Cream Soda
A&W first made cream soda in the 1920s and produces the most popular mass-market black cherry cream soda today. They use aged vanilla for authentic flavor.
IBC
The IBC brand has been making cherries ‘n cream soda since the 1920s as well. Their soda has a frothy texture.
Henry Weinhard’s
This Pacific Northwest brand has made cream soda since the late 1800s. Their black cherry cream soda has real cherry juice.
Route 66
Route 66 sodas feature retro inspired designs. Their black cherry cream soda is made with pure cane sugar.
Stewart’s
Stewart’s make their black cherry cream soda with milk sugar and real dairy cream for an extra creamy, frothy texture.
Sprecher
Sprecher is a specialty soda company in Wisconsin. Their black cherry cream soda is made with pure cane sugar, honey, and natural flavors.
Thomas Kemper
Thomas Kemper bottles their black cherry cream soda with pure cane sugar and triple filtered sparkling water.
Capt’n Eli’s
This Maine root beer company makes a cherry-vanilla cream soda with vanilla from Mexico and tart cherry juice concentrate.
Dad’s
Dad’s handcrafted sodas in Illinois make a black cherry cream soda with cherry juice sourced from Germany.
How to Make Homemade Black Cherry Cream Soda
It’s easy to recreate the black cherry cream soda experience at home. Here is an easy recipe and directions:
Ingredients:
– 1 liter soda water or ginger ale
– 1/4 cup cherry juice concentrate
– 1/4 cup sugar or honey
– 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
– Fresh cherries for garnish
Directions:
1. Pour the soda water or ginger ale into a pitcher.
2. Add the cherry juice concentrate, sugar/honey, and vanilla extract. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
3. For color, add 5-6 drops of red food coloring (optional).
4. Pour into tall glasses filled with ice.
5. Garnish each glass with a fresh cherry.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!
This easy homemade version allows you to control the flavors and sweetness to your liking. For an extra creamy texture, use half soda water and half ginger ale. Play around with different cherry, vanilla, and sugar proportions to find your perfect black cherry cream soda concoction.
How Black Cherry Cream Soda is Best Enjoyed
Here are some tips for enjoying black cherry cream soda at its best:
– Chill it well – soda tastes best ice cold.
– Drink it quickly – the carbonation will dissipate if it sits too long.
– Use a straw – this will aerate the soda and allow you to taste the flavors up front.
– Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream – this makes a deliciously sweet float.
– Pair it with chocolate – the cherry and chocolate combine for a decadent dessert drink.
– Drink it in a glass bottle – this provides the most authentic experience.
– Sip slowly – this allows you to savor all the flavor nuances.
– Add extra cherries – fresh cherry garnish adds extra fruity sweetness.
Drinking ice cold black cherry cream soda from a frosty bottle or fountain glass allows you to fully enjoy its effervescence and flavors. Adding scoops of vanilla ice cream transforms it into a creamy, dreamy float. However you choose to drink it, black cherry cream soda is a tasty, nostalgic treat.
Conclusion
Black cherry cream soda is a retro soda treat that combines delicious black cherry and vanilla flavors into a creamy, carbonated concoction. This pink-purple soda has been popular since the early 1900s, with many brands producing their own versions.
While loaded with sugar, black cherry cream soda remains a classic, nostalgic soda fountain drink. Its sweet cherry and vanilla flavors make it the perfect dessert beverage. You can find it at most stores year-round, often sold in packs alongside other cream soda flavors. Trying specialty craft sodas allow you to experience unique, gourmet black cherry cream sodas made with pure ingredients. Or mix up your own homemade soda so you can customize the flavors. Chilled black cherry cream soda in a cold frosty bottle or glass makes the perfect treat when you want to indulge your sweet tooth.