blast from the past Enjoy a with an ICE CREAM SODA

a step back in time. They have been around for about 150 years. Otto Baur of Denver claims to have rst invented the ice cream soda in 1871 (completely by accident), but he doesn’t usually get credit for it. That honor goes to Robert McCay Green of Philadelphia who created the drink — also by accident — in 1874.

I give props to both men for creating a luscious, creamy dessert/drink that everyone should try. For the uninitiated, an ice cream soda is similar to an ice cream oat. A oat consists of two ingredients: ice cream and your favorite soda — typically root beer or cola. An ice cream soda on the other hand uses cream, chocolate sauce, seltzer or club soda and ice cream. (Variations on the drink can be made by substituting avored syrups typically found in the coffee aisle, such as Torani.) uses fountains that were popular during the 19th and 20th

Some may be fortunate enough to have indulged in one of these sweet treats from the drug store soda fountains that were popular during the 19th and 20th centuries. There are still a few of these gems around, but they are harder and harder to nd. Luckily, ice cream sodas are simple enough to make at home.

All I know is an old-fashioned ice cream soda is a fabulous summertime treat.

3 tablespoons cream

3 tablespoons chocolate

• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Cold club soda or seltzer water Whipped cream, optional Maraschino cherry, optional

Notes

•

Pour the half and half into a tall

12-ounce glass. or seltzer to ll almost to the top of the glass.

Add the chocolate syrup can stir. Add about ½ cup club soda or seltzer and stir until slightly foamy. Add two scoops of ice cream cherry, if desired.

• For a different avor, try substituting avored syrups commonly used for coffees, such as Torani, in place of the

Half and half can be substituted for the cream. It just won’t have quite the same richness. For a different avor, try substituting avored syrups commonly used for coffees, such as Torani, in place of the chocolate syrup. Strawberry, peach and vanilla are all delicious options.

• Cold club soda or seltzer will help reduce the foaming.