Cream Soda question

[goateebird]

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?

[FleaCircus]

It's neither.

Cream soda is essentially carbonated water and vanilla flavoring.

[rrf]

mmmmmm cream soda

[Redlemon]

Originally posted by FleaCircus
It's neither.

Cream soda is essentially carbonated water and vanilla flavoring.

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

[rsl12]

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

[User Name]

Originally posted by rsl12
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.

[Charlatan]

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).

[losthellhound]

Mmmmm flavored sugar...

[*Nikki*]

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

[taylorspl]

IBC Cream soda...mmm.

[FleaCircus]

How about Stewarts Orange Cream soda? Good stuff.

[rsl12]

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.