Cream soda is a sweet carbonated soft drink that comes in a variety of flavors, but most commonly vanilla. The drink gets its name from its creamy, smooth mouthfeel. Vanilla soda, on the other hand, is a carbonated soft drink flavored primarily with vanilla. This leads many to wonder – is cream soda just vanilla soda with a different name? Or are they two distinct beverages?
In this article, we’ll explore the origins, ingredients, and flavors of both cream soda and vanilla soda. We’ll compare and contrast the two to determine if cream soda is indeed just vanilla soda or if there are tangible differences setting them apart. There’s a surprising amount of variety and nuance within the broader categories of “cream soda” and “vanilla soda,” so it’s worth taking a deeper look.
The Origins of Cream Soda and Vanilla Soda
To understand the relationship between cream soda and vanilla soda, we first need to look at their origins. Where did these sweet sippers come from in the first place?
Cream Soda Origins
Cream soda traces its roots back to the 1850s in the United States. Pharmacists at the time made carbonated beverages by mixing sweet syrups with carbonated water. They discovered that adding vanilla and cream created a smooth, creamy taste and texture. This early form of cream soda became popular at soda fountains across the country in the late 1800s.
Ginger ale and root beers were also popular soda fountain drinks, and legends say that staffers would run out of cream for cream soda and substitute milk or eggs instead. This improvisation led to the development of today’s creamy texture and sweet flavor.
Vanilla Soda Origins
Vanilla soda came about in a similar timeframe, though sources disagree on its exact origin. Some say it was created by Charles Mozian in Philadelphia in 1885. Others cite a St. Louis chemist named Dr. Pepper (no relation to the popular Dr. Pepper soda brand). What is known is that vanilla soda, like cream soda, rose to prominence in the late 19th century.
The earliest recipes for vanilla soda simply combined vanilla extract, sugar, and carbonated water. More complex recipes added small amounts of milk, egg whites, or fruit juices. Unlike cream soda, vanilla soda maintained a translucent appearance instead of a cloudy, creamy look.
So while both cream soda and vanilla soda originated in the soda fountain era of the late 1800s, they diverged early on in ingredients and visual appearance. Still, their origins do show a close relationship between the two drinks.
Ingredients in Cream Soda vs Vanilla Soda
To go deeper into the ingredients that set cream soda and vanilla soda apart, let’s compare some popular commercial brands:
Cream Soda Ingredients:
– A&W Cream Soda: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, citric acid.
– IBC Cream Soda: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, citric acid.
– Virgil’s Cream Soda: Sparkling water, cane sugar, natural flavors, caramel color.
Vanilla Soda Ingredients:
– Schweppes Vanilla Soda: Carbonated water, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium benzoate.
– Canada Dry Vanilla Soda: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, sodium benzoate, natural flavors, yellow 5.
– Americana Vanilla Soda: Carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural vanilla extract, citric acid.
| Ingredient | Common in Cream Sodas | Common in Vanilla Sodas |
|---|---|---|
| High fructose corn syrup | Yes | Some |
| Cane sugar | Some | Some |
| Natural flavors | Yes | Yes |
| Caramel color | Yes | No |
| Sodium benzoate | Yes | Yes |
| Citric acid | Yes | Yes |
| Food coloring | No | Some |
This ingredient comparison reveals some clear differences between cream sodas and vanilla sodas. While they both rely on natural and artificial flavors, cream sodas get their distinct creamy flavor from the addition of caramel coloring. Vanilla sodas forego this additive and use more pure vanilla extract for flavor.
Cream sodas also tend to use high fructose corn syrup as their sweetener while vanilla sodas use a mix of corn syrup and cane sugar. The extra sweetness in cream soda balances out the caramel undertones.
So even though the drink names would imply cream soda contains cream and vanilla soda is flavored primarily with vanilla, the ingredients tell a different story. Cream soda gets its richness from caramel color while vanilla soda highlights the vanilla.
Flavor Profiles: Cream Soda vs. Vanilla Soda
Let’s now do a side-by-side flavor test to tease out the tangible differences between cream soda and vanilla soda. We’ll crack open fresh bottles and describe the aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and aftertaste of each:
Cream Soda Flavor Profile
– Aroma – Sweet cream and brown sugar
– Taste – Strong initial vanilla sweetness, followed by a burnt sugar caramel flavor
– Mouthfeel – Heavy, creamy, smooth
– Aftertaste – Lingering caramelized flavor
Vanilla Soda Flavor Profile
– Aroma – Bright vanilla extract
– Taste – Pure vanilla extract taste upfront, mixed with an earthy vanilla bean finish
– Mouthfeel – Crisp, clean, lighter bodied than cream soda
– Aftertaste – Pure, botanical vanilla
The flavor profiles confirm what the ingredient lists suggested – cream sodas have a more caramel-forward taste while vanilla sodas highlight the taste of pure vanilla. The cream soda is heavier on the palate with a long, caramel aftertaste. Vanilla soda has a lighter, crisper mouthfeel with the unadulterated flavor of real vanilla beans.
Color Comparison: Cream Soda vs Vanilla Soda
Let’s take one more point of comparison – the color. Cream sodas get their name from their darker, creamy, tan color. Vanilla sodas are known for their clear or translucent appearance. Here are some more specific color descriptions:
Cream Soda Colors
– A&W – Deep tan
– IBC – Warm tan with amber tones
– Virgil’s – Light tan
Vanilla Soda Colors
– Schweppes – Clear, colorless
– Canada Dry – Pale yellow, almost clear
– Americana – Clear, hint of light yellow
So cream sodas display colors ranging from deep tan to light golden tan. Vanilla sodas have little to no color, appearing essentially clear or only the slightest tint of pale yellow. This visual difference comes from the caramel coloring that gives cream sodas their signature hue.
Calorie and Sugar Content
Finally, let’s examine the calorie counts and sugar content in cream sodas versus vanilla sodas:
Cream Soda Nutrition Facts
– A&W Cream Soda (12oz) – 220 calories, 58g sugar
– IBC Cream Soda (12oz) – 280 calories, 75g sugar
– Virgil’s Cream Soda (12oz) – 180 calories, 45g sugar
Vanilla Soda Nutrition Facts
– Schweppes Vanilla Soda (12oz) – 140 calories, 39g sugar
– Canada Dry Vanilla Soda (12oz) – 200 calories, 58g sugar
– Americana Vanilla Soda (12oz) – 150 calories, 40g sugar
The cream sodas consistently have 20-30% more calories and 30-90% higher sugar content. This makes sense based on the more potent sweetness coming from added corn syrup and caramel color. Vanilla sodas allow the vanilla flavor to take center stage instead of just amping up the sugar.
Conclusion
So is cream soda just vanilla soda? After exploring the origins, ingredients, flavors, colors, and nutritional content, the answer seems clear – cream soda and vanilla soda are related but distinct beverages.
While they both came about in the mid 1800s and contain vanilla flavor, cream soda relies on caramel color and extra sweeteners to achieve its unique flavor and mouthfeel. Vanilla sodas let the vanilla itself shine through. Cream sodas also contain significantly more calories and sugar.
The next time you reach for a cream soda or vanilla soda, think about the nuances that set them apart. And remember – despite the name similarities, cream soda is more than just a vanilla soda. The caramel color and flavor profile make cream soda its own unique treat compared to the lighter, crisper vanilla soda.
So sip and enjoy each type of soda for their differences as much as their similarities. There’s room for both cream soda and vanilla soda in the pantheon of sweet carbonated beverages.
