Cream Soda question
 

So a friend and I are having a discussion: is cream soda made from root beer, or cola?

I was thinking root beer, since IBC and Stewart's make both root beer and cream soda, but not cola. But my friend sez it's made from cola; it just doesn't have the 'signature twang' of root beer.

So does anybody know?

It's neither.

Cream soda is essentially carbonated water and vanilla flavoring.

mmmmmm cream soda

...which is why a Vanilla Coke or Pepsi Vanilla kind of tastes like a cream soda with a kick.

but still a good question--why do root beer companies also make cream soda?

Why does Coca Cola make beverages other than Coca Cola, like Sprite? Why does Frito-Lay make chips other than Fritos and Lays, like Doritos? Market diversification.

Diversification and the fact that the Cola and Lemon Lime drink market is all sewn up between Coke, Pepsi and Private Label (i.e. no name brands).

Mmmmm flavored sugar...

I am sorry I read this.....now I really want one!

IBC Cream soda...mmm.

How about Stewarts Orange Cream soda? Good stuff.

to answer my own question, i have two guesses as to why root beer companies often make cream soda as well.

1. a company is specializing in old-fashioned flavors. This would explain companies like Stewart's and IBC, who make flavors like root beer, cream soda, cherry-vanilla, etc.

2. Ice cream floats are made with root beer. it may be that root beer ice-cream floats were the standard, and so the two became linked. I have no proof of this though.

I sent some e-mails to root beer manufacturers to see if i'll get any info. wish me luck.