Forget Vanilla: Transform Strawberries And Whole Milk Into A 2-Minute, Old-School Treat

Despite what many of us have been led to believe, dessert doesn't have to be complicated. You don't need to spend hours laboring over doughs or practicing your piping skills. In fact, all you really need to make a sweet, drinkable treat is whole milk, strawberries, soda water, and a few spare minutes.

One of Tasting Table's expert recipe developers came up with this simple vanilla egg cream after taking inspiration from the strange, classic New York drink. An egg cream is an old-school soda-shop specialty that's been around for generations, with some tracing it back to the late 1800s. The legends and recipes differ but essentially, an egg cream combines milk, soda water, and syrup. That's right, there isn't any egg in it — many believe the name is a variation of the Yiddish for "pure sweetness" (echt keem) or simply comes from saying "a cream" with a New York accent.

Either way, it's delicious, and all that's required is drizzling some syrup into the bottom of a glass, pouring in a little milk, and then topping with seltzer. Our recipe utilizes vanilla syrup for a nostalgic, mild flavor, but if you add strawberries, you can transform the drink into a fruity, bubbly treat that's lighter than a milkshake but just as frothy and indulgent.

There are a few ways to make a strawberry egg cream. You can use a store-bought strawberry syrup, make your own, or use jam. For a fresher taste, you can just muddle some frozen or fresh strawberry pieces at the bottom of the glass too. Sprinkle with sugar to sweeten.

To make your own syrup, just simmer down chopped strawberries with sugar and water and then strain. If you're using jam, it might be best to opt for a smooth rather than chunky version. You only need a dollop, and it's best to whisk in the milk before adding the soda water to incorporate without agitating the bubbles too much. For the aficionados, the real key to the perfect egg cream is how the seltzer water is added. 

In soda shops, it's shot out of a pressurized gun, which aerates the milk and creates a frothy top layer. To mimic this at home, pour the water in at a constant stream over a spoon or shake the syrup, milk, and a small bit of the seltzer in a cocktail shaker before topping it off. You can drizzle the glass with chocolate sauce to make a more decadent drink, or add some vanilla to play into the sweet flavor. Here is our ranking of 10 chocolate sauce brands if you want some recommendations. Raspberries are an option too, as are blackberries. And you could always experiment with rum or vodka for an adult version.