Summer is officially in full swing, and what better way to beat the heat than with a frosty, fizzy, and creamy treat? If you need the perfect excuse to indulge your sweet tooth this week, look no further: June 20th is National Ice Cream Soda Day!

Whether you are looking for a fun, nostalgic afternoon activity with the kids or a sweet way to unwind on the patio after bedtime, this old-school fountain classic deserves a spot on your summer bucket list.

A Fizzy History Lesson

Did you know the ice cream soda has been cooling us down since the late 19th century? Legend has it that the creation was a happy accident in Philadelphia in 1874, when a vendor ran out of ice for his flavored sodas and substituted ice cream instead. The bubbly, creamy concoction was an instant hit, quickly becoming a staple of the classic American soda fountain experience.

It’s the perfect science experiment you can eat—carbonation meeting dairy in a glorious, frothy foam-up!

How to Build Your Own Soda Fountain at Home

The beauty of the ice cream soda is its simplicity. You don't need fancy equipment to make a spectacular treat right in your own kitchen. Here is how to whip up the perfect classic in three simple steps:

1. Pick Your Base

Start with a generous pour (about 2 tablespoons) of flavored syrup at the bottom of a tall glass. Classic chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry are always crowd-pleasers, but fruity syrups like raspberry or cherry add a fun, tart summer twist. If you don't happen to have any flavored syrup (even flavored coffee syrups can work) try substituing for honey, maple syrup, chocolate sauce or even caramel ice cream topping.

2. Add the Fizz

Pour in about 6 to 8 ounces of chilled soda. Anything from club soda, seltzer, root-beer, colas, and even lemon-lime soda can work! Give it a gentle stir to mix the syrup into the bubbly water.

3. Top with Creamy Goodness

Carefully add one or two large scoops of your favorite ice cream. 

Pro-tip: Vanilla is the traditional choice that lets the flavored syrup shine, but you can mix and match—like chocolate syrup with mint chocolate chip ice cream for an extra punch of flavor! Top it all off with a dollop of whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and a long straw.

3 Reasons to Celebrate Ice Cream Soda This Summer

It’s a Breeze to Make: No baking, no cooking, and zero stress. It takes less than five minutes to assemble, making it the ultimate low-effort, high-reward dessert that takes ice cream to the next level!

The Ultimate Customization: Got a picky eater or a house divided on flavors? Set up an "Ice Cream Soda Bar" on the kitchen counter and let everyone mix and match their favorite sodas, syrups, and ice cream scoops.

A Taste of Nostalgia: There is something incredibly charming about handing your kids a tall glass with a retro straw and watching them experience a true vintage treat. It's okay if the tallest glass you have is a drinking glass, we promise your kids will still love it!

Are you team traditional chocolate, or do you like to mix it up with fruity flavors? What is your go-to ice cream combination for a hot summer day?

Grab a spoon, pour yourself some bubbly, and celebrate deliciously!