Chocolate Egg Cream – Soda Fountain Classic

Jul 10, 2025 by Chef David

By Chef David

Chocolate Egg Cream is a soda fountain classic, created in New York City’s Lower East Side in the 1890s. This drink uses three ingredients, which are seltzer, milk, and Fox’s U-bet chocolate syrup. There are no eggs or cream involved.

The are different ideas about the origin of the name, some suggest the creamy froth on top looks like an egg white, another thought is that the name is a mispronunciation of the French “chocolat et crème” or an Americanization of the Yiddish phrase “echt keem” which means genuine or real good cream.

Rich, fizzy, and chocolaty soda-fountain classic that is a must-try beverage.

Maintaining a Rich History and Tradition

Egg Cream aficionados agree that Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup makes the best traditional egg cream. Fox’s U-Bet, which has been manufactured in Brooklyn for over 100 years, dates to Brownsville, Brooklyn in the early 1900s when Herman Fox created Fox’s U-Bet, named for his favorite phrase “You Bet!” Fox’s U-Bet is certified kosher pareve by the OU.

While there are a number of variations on the Egg Cream, Fox’s U-Bet recipe creates a wonderful creamy, foamy head. Pouring the seltzer over a metal spoon and vigorously swizzling the ingredients together creates that signature layer of foam. The bubbles don’t last long; if you leave it for more than 10 minutes, the chocolate and soda will separate. To rejuvenate the frothy foam, add seltzer (and chocolate) and mix. Try using a seltzer dispenser for a nicer, foamier head.

Recipe from Fox’s U-Bet

1. Add an inch of chocolate sauce to the glass (2 – 3 tablespoons)
2. Add 2-3 inches of milk.
3. Fill the rest of the glass with seltzer or club soda
4. Stir/mix rapidly to create a foam top.

Note: Experiment with the ratios to fit your taste profile (add more chocolate sauce for a sweeter beverage) or try Vanilla syrup for a Manhattan Egg Cream

Seltzer On Demand – Drinkmate Omnifizz and the Spritzer

Drinkmate Omnifizz can carbonate any liquid, is easy to use, and requires minimal assembly; just add the carbonator into the housing on the back. The Omnifizz comes with a BPA-free 1-liter reusable carbonating bottle (with a cap) and a Fizz Infuser. It does not use electricity or require batteries, and it is easy to clean. Omnifizz is a sleek, stable unit that comes in five colors, and it is easy to use.

How to Use: Fill the carbonating bottle to the fill line and slide it into the Fizz Infuser, which fits into a slot on top of the unit. Tilt it upwards to screw the bottle in securely, then face the bottle vertically and prepare to carbonate. Press the button on top of the unit and several short bursts until the sound changes. Move the Fizz Infuser upwards, away from the machine, and slide it out of the slot. Then, flip up the tab and let some carbonation escape before opening. That’s it.

For on-the-go drink making, Drinkmate has created the Spritzer Portable Machine, a hand-held version of the Omnifizz, which comes with a strap to make it easier to carry. It has the same top as the Drinkmate, just without the stand. You can convert the Spritzer into a countertop machine by adding the Drinkmate Spritzer Stand (sold separately). The Spritzer machine comes with two 3-ounce cylinders and can carbonate approximately 40 half-liter bottles. With the stand, the machine can use standard threaded 60L CO2 cylinders from Drinkmate or SodaStream.

We found the carbonation stronger from our Drinkmate than the store-bought seltzer.

A Dreamy Bubbly Drink

Chocolate egg creams are a classic made using the same recipe for 100 years. They provide a tasty connection with the past. Make your own seltzer and enjoy the nostalgia of Chocolate Egg Creams (or substitute Vanilla Syrup for a Manhattan Egg Cream, or experiment with some of Fox U-bets’ other flavors).

With DrinkMate’s Spritzer portable machine, you can turn water into seltzer anywhere (or carbonate the beverage of your choice).

Hydration never tasted so good.