Kate and I are long time fans of the Italian Soda (see our full how-to by clicking here.) It reminds us both of pre-teen days walking around the mall feeling cool after buying drinks from espresso stands. And now, we’re all grown-up, and strangely enough, so is the drink. It’s made a come-back (or maybe it never left?) as a trendy, fun, and unique idea for parties. One of my very favorites was this Patriotic Party we styled last summer.
Setting up a bar-style Italian Soda spread is a fun way to let guests customize their own drinks.
Last fall I helped host a baby shower where we did an Italian Soda Bar (the preggo girl-of-honor had never had one before!) so I had these cute printables made and today I’m sharing them with you. You can download them (for free, of course) at the end of this post!
Since many people don’t know how to make an Italian Soda, there’s an easy how-to sheet. It’s kept vague for a reason; there’s not perfect amount of syrup or cream, it’s really up to the person making it, and everyone should feel free to add more or less of what they like. I place this main sign somewhere very visible, and then set out all of the fixin’s around it.
Next to the bowl of ice, set out your syrups. There’s many brands of syrups and they all work. I suggest a variety of fruit flavors (strawberry and raspberry are always winners) and a few caramel-y, hazelnut are a good contrast as well.
I sometimes like to buy Monin brand for baby or wedding showers because the bottles are so darn pretty.
For a party, it’s definitely a good idea to buy pumps for your bottles as well. I strongly suggest buying pumps specifically made for your brand of bottles. There are some generic ones available on Amazon, but I’ve found they don’t always fit all of the bottles and that can be a huge pain. Often, if you find your syrups at a local store (check restaurant supply stores) they sell the pumps as well. Here’s some helpful Amazon links (even with these links, make sure the size matches your bottles):
Torani Pumps
Monin Pumps
DaVinci Pumps
After the syrups, put out your sparkling water,
and a cute jug of cream or half and half. One thing Kate and I discovered is that the sugar free syrups sometimes cause cream to curdle, so that’s something to think about. You might want to just go for the good sugar-y stuff.
Set out some cute straws and you’re good to go.
These cute printables make parties so easy because everyone will love following the simple instructions, and then you don’t have to play bartender!
Here’s a pinable graphic for you- just hover your mouse over the image to Pin! You’ll be glad you did, the next time someone asks you to help out with a party. This is especially fun for baby and bridal showers.
By Our Best Bites
Supplies Needed:
Free Printables
Cups
Ice
Flavored Syrups
Cream or Half and Half
Straws
Good company 🙂
Click Here to Download Page 1
Click Here for Page 2
Questions & Reviews
We’ve been making these for quite a few years. We use 3 T. syrup and 1 T. half n half in 8 oz club soda/ice. My grandkids love mixing their own combos.
Hello! Any chance I could get the italian soda instructions as a file, I’d like to add whipped cream to the list! ? (feeling too lazy to create my own!) Thanks.
I’m sorry, we don’t have an editable file available for this download.
We are serving Italion Sodas and flavored popcorn at my daughters wedding reception in September. I think it’s going to be so fun! My only worry is how much to buy. We are planning on about 250-300 people. I can run to the grocery store for more cream, ice, and sparkling water but not the syrups. We are using 16 oz. cups. An ideas on how much syrup to buy?
I would test out a few and actually measure how much syrup you like to use to make one, then just calculate it based off of that. Good luck!
I love this idea and want to do it for a wedding reception. What else do you suggest I serve with it??
I’d love your ideas.
thanks,
misa
Hi Sara, Your printables are wonderful. I cannot get the 2nd page to print. I keep getting the “403 forbidden error” message when I click on the link. Would you be able to email the pdf to print the 2nd page of the Italian Soda Bar printables?
Thanks,Kristen
Thanks for the Easy printable! I did the whole setup for an Officers’ Wives party and it was a hit! I think it looked much more involved than it was to set up…and now I’m keeping the tablecloth, lazy Susan, syrups, etc. all in the big tin ice bucket, ready for the next party!
I had to dig to find this recipe a year or two ago. I used to get these at the Italian restaurant where I used to live. The ones around here don’t know what they are.
If you are so inclined you can substitute a little more pureed fruit/juice for the syrup. I made these like crazy last year with our bumper crop of peaches. Peaches + Vanilla = Peaches n Cream
It was a healthier option for a nice cold beverage after a hard days work out in the garden.
Very cute – anyway to print the instruction cards without the 3 lines of verbage in the center? I wanted to print on postcards, but theses words print out and don’t look good. Thanks!
Nope, sorry!
1/2 and 1/2 works just as well and doesn’t cover the flavor of the syrup as much as cream will do. To know more about why cream curdles in a drink read here. http://www.monin.com/en-gb/tips-techniques/what-makes-milk-curdle-joseph-el-khoury. Very interesting.
Love this idea! Thanks for the printables!
So cute–thanks–pinned!
I’m so doing this! Absolutely adorbs!
I’m going to do this next time I host my book group. Can’t wait!
Should the cream be displayed on ice? Will it not go bad if left out too long?
Cream is just fine on the counter for the duration of a party. If you’re worried, just pop it in a bowl of ice.
We did this all last summer. We are doing it for girls camp this summer. I got some great flavor in gallon sized jugs from Smart and Final. 400 girls.
oooh, fun! Lucky girls!
Thank you so much for sharing! This is such a cute idea! I am going to use this idea for my daughter’s end of the season softball party. The 9 and 10 year old girls are going to love this!! Thanks for the printables! As a team mom, you have no idea what a blessing it is to be able to print, cut and display. Thank you! Thank you!
Wow, is that what it’s like for girls? For my boy’s parties I grab a box of doughnuts and a big box of gatorade, haha!
So super fun!! What size are the mason jars you used for the red white blue? Thanks for sharing 🙂
Those were just 8 oz jars
Thanks for the cute printables! I think there is a typo on the instruction sign. The last word says spi, but I am guessing it is meant to say sip?
Just thought you should know. Love the blog!
I think it says “SIP!” with an exclamation point, but the “I” and “P” just look really close together…
No typo, it says Sip!
Gah! I guess I just need to try this but the thought of soda and cream mixed – bleh!
You DO need to try it. Sounds weird, but it’s sooo good!
This came just in time! I am throwing an Italian Soda Bar for friends and family in honor of my lil’ sis getting her Master’s Degree! Now it will be adorable as well as yummy 🙂
Perfect! Enjoy!
So fun! This would be fun to have at our family Easter gathering coming up. Thanks!
Thanks for the note about the sugar free syrups causing curdling. I tried this last summer at a friend’s house and couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong. Next time, NO SUGAR FREE! The kids will be much happier…
Perfect timing! We’re doing an Italian Soda Bar at my moms group on Sunday! I’m making the syrups, so we won’t have pumps, so I’ll probably make a note that a pump equals about a tablespoon. I can’t wait to print these out!
Thanks!
Have fun! FYI, a pump is more like 2 tablespoon 🙂
Oh, thanks!