Melon Soda Float

Melon soda float is a Japanese-style, fizzy, creamy and delightful ice cream float. It's known simply as cream soda in Japan and made using just three main ingredients — melon syrup, club soda and vanilla ice cream.

Perfect for summertime but if you're like me, you'll find yourself making it all-year-round.

Oh and this is not the only float recipe on my blog. Check out this coffee float and the delightful purple cow float too.

Japanese cream soda float

I'm surprised that this creamy melon soda float hasn't become mainstream and popular worldwide. I mean sure, you might come across bottles of Japanese melon cream soda / pop in your local Asian store — but nothing beats this original version.

And you can enjoy it as a two-in-one, drink and dessert treat. Alternate between digging your spoon for some ice cream and then sipping some creamy fizzy melon-y goodness. Yum yummy yum!

Once you try this, you'll definitely want to try more melon-flavored beverages. When that craving strikes you've got to try my melon milk recipe. It uses fresh honeydew or cantaloupe melons for making homemade melon syrup. So far it's the most liked recipe on my blog and for good reason.

Oh and while in Japan this drink is known as cream soda, it's not the same as American cream soda that's mostly vanilla-flavored. I've shared more about some differences later on.

Ingredient notes

Here are some helpful notes on the ingredients you need for making melon cream soda. Check out the recipe card below for adjustable quantities / measurements.

• Melon syrup
  • Has to be store-bought melon-flavored kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) syrup.
  • I use a ratio of 1 part syrup to 4 parts soda but check your bottle's label for recommendations. Syrups vary in sweetness so my ratio may not be right for the syrup you have.
  • If instructions on your bottle aren't translated in your local language, use Google Translate app (use the camera feature).
  • I've tried substituting with homemade melon syrup that I use in my melon milk recipe but it didn't work for this one.
  • Kakigori syrup often contains fructose syrup and artificial flavorings so this drink isn't for those seeking healthy options.
  • I found the syrup in a small Japanese grocery store. Couldn't find it in big Asian stores. You can try checking online stores or Amazon.
  • Can't vouch for non-Japanese melon syrups since I haven't tried them.
  • If unable to find melon syrup, you can use ready-to-drink Japanese melon-flavored soda — leave out club soda in this case.
  • You will likely find these melon sodas in big Asian grocery stores, Japanese dollar stores (like Daiso or Oomomo), sometimes in sushi places, and (rarely) in international aisles of major grocery chains.
  • But, but, but — be aware that ready-made melon soda doesn't have the same amazing/potent flavor as the combo of melon syrup and club soda. With melon syrup, you can also adjust the flavor intensity to your liking.
• Club soda / seltzer water / sparkling water / carbonated water — Low sodium club soda is the best choice but you can pick any of the remaining options. Low sodium because it doesn't alter the taste of the drink as much as the regular one. Also make sure the soda isn't flavored and chill it in the refrigerator before using.
• Vanilla ice cream — Use your favorite one. If using vegan ice cream, make sure it's neutral in taste (besides the main vanilla flavor of course) or it will alter the overall taste.
• Maraschino cherry (optional) — It's typical to serve this drink with a preserved, sweetened cherry on top. You can find these in grocery stores in baking, canned/jarred food or dessert topping aisles. Feel free to omit if you don't have any other use for them.

How to make melon soda float

To prepare melon soda float, follow these easy, photo-assisted instructions. Oh and be sure to check out recipe card below for the printable version of this recipe that has all the quantities, instructions and notes in one place.

Grab a tall glass and fill it with crushed ice or ice cubes. Then add melon syrup.

Pour in chilled club soda and give it a good mix.

Place a scoop of your fav vanilla ice-cream.

Then top it off with a maraschino cherry. Serve right away — with a tall spoon and a straw.

Japanese cream soda vs. cream soda elsewhere

When in Japan, don't be misled by the word cream soda as it might not be the drink you're accustomed to in your country. Here are some differences:

• Float vs beverage — in Japan the term cream soda refers to an ice cream float made using melon syrup, club soda and vanilla ice cream — or is sometimes bottled/canned soda that tends to mimic the taste of the original float. In most other parts of world, cream soda implies a carbonated beverage (not a float).
• Flavor — Japanese cream soda is a combo of melon and creamy vanilla flavors. Globally speaking, there can be a lot of flavor variation when it comes to cream sodas. Depending on region or brand you may find these with vanilla, caramel, raspberry, cotton candy, or even floral flavors.
• Color — Japanese version has a vibrant green color. Cream sodas in other places come in different colors including transparent, brown, blue and even pink.
• Toppings — Japanese melon cream soda typically comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and additional toppings like whipped cream, fruit chunks or cherries. Elsewhere, cream soda is usually enjoyed as a standalone carbonated beverage.

Melon soda float variations

The original recipe, complete with vanilla ice cream and cute little cherry on top is undeniably fantastic on its own. But if you want to make this float special in your own way, here are a few suggestions.

• Extra creamy — drizzle a bit of condensed milk or top with some whipped cream
• Melon bits — chop or grate your fresh cantaloupe or honeydew into tiny pieces/shreds and mix into the soda before adding ice cream. And don't forget to use a wide straw.
• Rose water — add ½ teaspoon rose water to the glass along with melon syrup, before you add soda. The melon-rose combo is not a Japanese thing but it's soooo good.
• Boba — throw in some prepared/cooked tapioca pearls for a little bubble-tea-style twist.
• Vegan ice cream — swap out the traditional dairy vanilla ice cream for a vegan alternative.

Other uses of melon syrup

Are you thinking, "Nah, I don't want to go around looking for some melon syrup just for this one recipe"? Think again! Here are some of the many fun ways to use it.

• Shaved ice desserts — elevate shaved ice treats such as snow cones, kakigori, Hawaiian shaved ice, granita, bingsu, halo-halo, raspados or goals with this syrup.
• Melon soda/pop — ditch the store-bought soda and make your own at home. Just follow my melon soda float recipe as is, but omit ice cream and toppings.
• Flavored lemonade — add a little syrup to your fav lemonade base recipe. Cut down on the added sugar as the syrup is sweet.
• Ice tea — stir in a little syrup to your unsweetened black, green or herbal tea and serve with ice.
• Cocktails/mocktails — be your own mixologist and create fun cocktails/mocktails by incorporating melon syrup in your creations.
• Milkshakes and smoothies — the melon flavor of the syrup will pair great with smoothies/shakes that have bananas, pineapples, strawberries, mangoes or peaches.
• Boba/bubble tea — prepare black/green/fruit tea of your choice, add in cooked tapioca pearls, some dairy/vegan milk and a little melon syrup. Voilà!
• Flavored yogurt or parfait — mix the syrup into your yogurt for a burst of flavor. Enjoy on its own or use as a delicious base for parfaits.

Top tips

• Read the label — if the language is unfamiliar, use Google Translate app on your phone to check the recommended syrup-to-water or syrup-to-soda ratio.
• Use a tall glass — not only to showcase the vibrant colors but to be able to have sufficient quantity of soda, ice and ice cream in the glass.
• Chill your soda — super important to use chilled soda. Excessive ice to compensate for unchilled soda will reduce the space left for soda, resulting in less fizz and very strongly flavored initial sips.
• Low sodium soda — so the taste doesn't get altered much. Always open a fresh bottle/can for use. No fun without the fizz.
• Adjust the syrup quantity — increase or decrease the quantity to your liking.
• Eat and drink — don't wait for ice cream to melt. Enjoy little bites of ice cream as you slowly sip your drink.

FAQs

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