Name: Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced; 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste); 1 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups club soda or sparkling water; Ice cubes; Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Jump to Recipe

Sweet, creamy, and bursting with berries, Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda is the ultimate refreshment for any occasion. This nostalgic yet modern twist on a classic soda fountain treat is not only gorgeous to look at, but also delivers layers of flavor: juicy macerated strawberries, billowy vanilla cream, and bubbles that tickle your tastebuds. Whether you’re whipping up a summer afternoon pick-me-up or a festive drink for friends, this easy recipe will quickly become your new go-to for drinks that make people smile.

Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the many charms of Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda is its simplicity—you don’t need hard-to-find ingredients, just a handful of kitchen staples that each add their own special magic to the glass. Fresh fruit, creamy richness, and a sparkle of soda come together for a drink that looks as good as it tastes.

Fresh strawberries: The real deal is essential here—choose ripe, sweet berries for the most flavor and beautiful color.
Sugar: A little goes a long way in pulling out the strawberries’ juices for a true fruit syrup experience.
Heavy cream: Whipped to soft, dreamy peaks, it brings that signature creamy finish Irish cream sodas are known for.
Club soda or sparkling water: The bubbles are essential for a lively, thirst-quenching refreshment—use very cold soda for best results.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon transforms the cream, giving the drink an irresistible bakery-style aroma.
Ice cubes: Keep everything chilled and help those gorgeous layers stay distinct as you serve.
Fresh mint leaves (optional): Adds an eye-catching green pop and fresh aroma—totally optional, but highly recommended for presentation!

How to Make Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Base

Start with your strawberries: hull and slice them before tossing with sugar in a bowl. This step is where the magic begins—letting them sit helps the berries release their vibrant color and natural juices, creating the beginnings of a fresh fruit syrup that makes the Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda such a treat.

Step 2: Whip the Vanilla Cream

In a separate bowl, pour in your heavy cream and vanilla extract. Whisk until soft peaks form—the cream should hold gentle mounds but still look luscious and smooth. Patience is key: whip slowly and stop before it turns stiff, as you’re aiming for a cloud-like cream that floats on top of the soda.

Step 3: Build the Soda

Now comes the fun part! Start by spooning a few generous tablespoons of your macerated strawberry mixture into the bottom of a tall glass. Add plenty of ice cubes (this helps create those amazing layers!) and gently pour cold club soda or sparkling water over the top, filling your glass about three-quarters full. Give it a gentle stir to mingle the fruit with the bubbles while keeping the colors distinct.

Step 4: Add the Creamy Top

Spoon your vanilla whipped cream mixture carefully over the soda. If you do it slowly, the cream will float and form a beautiful, pillowy cap that’s totally Instagram-worthy. Don’t worry if a little drizzles into the soda—it swirls into a gorgeous, creamy cascade.

Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy

Finish your Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda with a flourish: top with fresh mint leaves and a strawberry slice if you like, then serve immediately with a straw. The layers of pink, white, and green will wow any crowd—or just make your solo afternoon snack feel special!

How to Serve Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the power of a good garnish with this drink. A leafy sprig of fresh mint is classic and instantly ups the refreshment factor, while a whole or halved fresh strawberry on the rim makes it look stylish. You could also dust the top lightly with grated chocolate for a decadent twist.

Side Dishes

Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda pairs perfectly with a platter of buttery cookies, airy madeleines, or a simple slice of pound cake. Its delicate sweetness and creamy fizz make it lovely alongside a fruit salad or even as a playful dessert next to a scoop of sorbet.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling festive, serve each soda in a mason jar or tall vintage soda glass with striped paper straws for that old-fashioned soda shoppe vibe. For a whimsical picnic, try mini soda bottles. For a dinner party, spoon the strawberries and cream over crushed ice in champagne flutes for a sparkling, adult-worthy presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

While Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda is at its best the moment it’s made, you can store the macerated strawberries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The whipped cream, if slightly under-whipped, will hold up for a day or so as well. Just assemble and pour fresh club soda when ready to enjoy.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for the assembled drink, as the cream and soda lose their texture. However, you can freeze the macerated strawberries (minus the cream) in an ice cube tray and use the fruit cubes later for an extra-fruity burst in your next soda—they’ll slowly infuse your drink as they melt!

Reheating

No need to reheat anything in this recipe—Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda is meant to be enjoyed icy cold! If you’re prepping in advance, simply let your strawberries and cream come to fridge temperature, then build your soda fresh when you’re ready to relax.

FAQs

Can I use other fruits instead of strawberries?

Absolutely! Raspberries, blackberries, or even a mixture of stone fruits like peaches and cherries are all wonderful in a Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda. Just remember to macerate them with sugar to draw out those lovely natural juices.

What’s the difference between club soda and sparkling water in this recipe?

Club soda is lightly salted and has added minerals, which can subtly enhance the soda’s flavor. Sparkling water is a bit more neutral. Use whichever you prefer; both give the drink that essential fizz.

Is there a dairy-free option for the cream?

Yes! You can use chilled coconut cream or your favorite dairy-free whipping cream. Just whip to soft peaks with a splash of vanilla, and layer as you would with dairy cream.

How do I adjust the sweetness?

Feel free to add a little more or less sugar when macerating the fruit, depending on how sweet your berries are. For a less sweet soda, you can also use less whipped cream or omit any additional sweeteners in the cream.

Can I make this in a pitcher for a party?

It’s best to assemble Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda individually for those gorgeous separated layers and fresh fizz. However, you can prep the strawberries and cream ahead and then build each glass just before serving—party guests will love watching their sodas come together!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like sipping on a glass of Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda—each silky, bubbly, berry-filled gulp is a reminder that the best treats are often the simple, homemade ones. Give it a try and savor every deliciously refreshing, creamy sip!

Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 11 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Homemade Real Fruit Irish Cream Soda. Made with fresh strawberries, creamy vanilla-infused heavy cream, and fizzy club soda, this soda is a refreshing treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Strawberry Mixture:

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)

Cream Mixture:

1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups club soda or sparkling water
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Strawberries: In a bowl, combine sliced strawberries and sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to release their juices.
Make the Cream Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk the heavy cream and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
Combine Ingredients: In a glass, add a few tablespoons of the strawberry mixture, then fill the glass with ice cubes. Pour club soda or sparkling water over the ice, gently stirring to combine.
Top with Cream: Spoon the whipped cream mixture on top of the soda and strawberries, allowing it to float beautifully on the surface.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired and serve immediately with a straw.

Notes

You can adjust the sweetness of the strawberry mixture to suit your taste preferences.
For a lighter version, you can use whipped coconut cream instead of heavy cream.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Irish