16 Cream Sodas, Ranked Worst To Greatest
Cream soda brings back memories of summer afternoons and ice cream floats.
This sweet, vanilla-flavored beverage has been delighting taste buds since the 1800s, with countless brands putting their spin on the classic. From grocery store staples to craft varieties, I’ve sampled them all to bring you this definitive ranking of 16 cream sodas that’ll make your taste buds tingle!
16. Shasta Cream Soda
Barely qualifying as cream soda, Shasta delivers a syrupy mess that somehow manages to taste both overly sweet and artificial simultaneously. The vanilla flavor seems like an afterthought.
Bargain basement pricing doesn’t justify the metallic aftertaste that lingers uncomfortably. Even mixing with ice cream can’t save this disappointing fizzy disaster.
15. Big K Cream Soda
Kroger’s budget brand misses the mark with a flavor resembling melted candy rather than classic cream soda. Though affordable, the artificial sweetener creates a bizarre aftertaste that’s hard to ignore.
Where’s the vanilla? That’s what you’ll wonder while sipping this questionable concoction. At least the carbonation level stays consistent throughout the drinking experience.
14. Faygo Cream Soda
Midwestern cult favorite Faygo falls flat in the cream soda department. While their other flavors might shine, their take on cream soda lacks depth and complexity.
Imagine vanilla-scented cleaning solution – that’s unfortunately the vibe here. Hardcore Faygo fans might disagree, but the cloying sweetness overwhelms any subtle vanilla notes that might have saved this sugary beverage.
13. Crush Cream Soda
Known for fruit sodas, Crush’s cream variety misses its potential with an identity crisis. Is it vanilla? Is it fruit? Nobody knows!
The reddish hue confuses first-timers expecting traditional cream coloring. Oddly, it tastes better over ice, diluting the confusing flavor profile that seems caught between bubble gum and vanilla extract.
12. Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda
How can something so promising disappoint so thoroughly? Dr. Brown’s cream soda starts with a promising aroma but fizzles out faster than a cheap sparkler on a rainy day.
Jewish deli enthusiasts might defend this one, but the truth hurts – it’s just too sweet without enough vanilla complexity. However, points awarded for the nostalgic glass bottle that outshines the actual contents.
11. Virgil’s Cream Soda
Craft soda enthusiasts, hold your applause. Virgil’s organic approach sounds promising but delivers a strangely herbal undertone that fights with the vanilla notes.
Made with real sugar instead of corn syrup, it should taste better than it does. The fancy bottle and premium price point create expectations this bewildering flavor profile can’t possibly meet.
10. Stewart’s Cream Soda
Royalties at gas stations Stewart’s produces an average cream soda that isn’t particularly memorable or offensive. A hint of nostalgia from the vintage longneck bottle nearly compensates for the lackluster flavor.
Like unwanted visitors, vanilla notes come and go. Still, you couldn’t do worse than this palatable but unimpressive choice when combined with a hot dog on a warm day.
9. Jones Cream Soda
Remember those custom photo labels that made Jones famous? The packaging remains more interesting than their cream soda flavor profile.
Neither terrible nor exceptional, Jones delivers a perfectly acceptable cream soda experience. The carbonation level hits just right, but the vanilla flavor needs more oomph to stand out in this crowded field.
8. Boylan Cane Sugar Cream Soda
Do you consider yourself a soda expert? With its cane sugar promise and engraved glass bottle, Boylan’s cream variety looks impressive.
What’s true? It’s a nice cream soda with faint vanilla overtones that whisper rather than yell, and it’s a tad less sugary than its rivals.
For fans of cream soda, this is a decent option because the carbonation lasts until the very last sip.
7. Mug Cream Soda
Surprisingly solid for a major brand, Mug’s cream soda delivers consistent vanilla flavor without the cloying sweetness of lower-ranked options. The dog mascot might be better known for root beer, but don’t sleep on this cream variety.
Widely available and reasonably priced, it strikes a nice balance between intensity and drinkability. Great for cream soda floats when craft options aren’t available!
6. Dad’s Cream Soda
Bottled nostalgia! Dad’s has a nostalgic taste that strangely evokes fond recollections of childhood. Present but not overbearing, the vanilla notes are exactly right.
Despite not being the most elegant choice, this cream soda is clear about its goals. This is a dependable option that won’t let you down like other unsatisfactory “dads” might because the carbonation level remains flawless throughout.
5. IBC Cream Soda
Those brown bottles aren’t just for root beer! IBC’s cream soda delivers a rich vanilla punch that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
The perfect carbonation level creates tiny bubbles that dance on your tongue. Though slightly sweeter than ideal, the depth of flavor and smooth finish earn IBC a solid spot in the cream soda hierarchy.
4. A&W Cream Soda
Quietly producing one of the most dependable cream sodas available, A&W is well-known for its root beer. When sweetness and vanilla are perfectly balanced, the result is a smooth and consistently satisfying drink.
Smooth from the first sip to the last drop, this cream soda is great on its own or in floats. It makes sense that it has been a supermarket mainstay for many years – sometimes the old-fashioned recipes are the best!
3. Sprecher Cream Soda
Wisconsin’s finest brew delivers honey-kissed complexity that elevates this cream soda to gourmet status. The fire-brewing process creates depth that mass-produced competitors can’t touch.
Honey rather than vanilla drives the flavor profile here – a delightful twist on tradition. Though pricier than supermarket options, the rich amber color and sophisticated taste make every penny worthwhile.
2. Sioux City Cream Soda
Cowboys would like the cream soda, so buckle up! Sioux City’s version is available in a unique longneck bottle that evokes nostalgia for vintage soda shops.
Instead than being chemically enhanced, the vanilla flavor feels like it was extracted naturally. While still being suitable for younger palates, this cream soda is sophisticated enough for adults because to its perfectly balanced sweetness and subtle caramel undertones.
1. Barq’s Red Cream Soda
Wait, red cream soda? Yes! Barq’s unique take on cream soda delivers a strawberry-vanilla hybrid that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
Southern soda enthusiasts have kept this ruby-colored treasure somewhat secret from the rest of the country. The berry notes complement rather than compete with the vanilla base, creating a complex flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.