Is it a dessert or a drink? Either way, it’s bright pink and irresistibly fun. Today’s recipe is for neon Italian cream sodas—and the vivid color comes from natural ingredients, not artificial dyes.
Neon Italian Cream Sodas
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 8 -10 Sodas
Ingredients
- For the neon pink simple syrup:
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ of a 3.5 oz pack of frozen pitaya (pink dragon fruit)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Italian cream sodas (one serving):
- 1 cup berry-flavored sparkling water (avoid brands with citric acid)
- 3 tablespoons pink dragon fruit simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon half & half
- Whipped cream for garnish
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
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Make the neon pink simple syrup: combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and stir in half a pack of frozen pitaya (pink dragon fruit). Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, the pitaya melts, and the syrup thickens slightly.
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Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and any solids. Transfer the syrup to a heatproof container and chill until cold.
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To assemble each soda, fill a glass with 1 cup of berry-flavored sparkling water. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the pink dragon fruit simple syrup and drizzle 1 tablespoon of half & half over the top. The cream will create the classic Italian cream soda swirl.
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Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for a festive finish.
Tried this recipe?Mention @studiodiy or tag #studiodiy if you share your photos.
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Recipe by Rachel Kivlahan
If you haven’t tried an Italian cream soda before, now’s the perfect time—bright, creamy, and naturally pink.