While writing my Prohibition-era novel, Mistaken, I did plenty of research on 1920s soda fountains. And tasty research it was, too! If you’ve always wanted to sample some of these old favorites, you’re in luck. I’m going to be running a series of posts on old-time soda fountain recipes you can make @home.
Just so you know, I’m a fiction author, not a cookbook writer. These recipes are a mish-mash of traditional recipes.
Today, we’ll start with one of the easiest: the Brown Cow. Basically, this drink is a root beer float, but better! You add chocolate. Mmmm.
In a chilled glass, add a large squirt (perhaps a tablespoon or two) of chocolate syrup. Add 8 oz of root beer and stir gently. Top it off with vanilla ice cream. (If you prefer lots of foam, add the ice cream before the root beer.) Do you want to make it even better? Add a dollop of whip cream to the top, and drizzle a little more chocolate syrup in a spiral pattern. Or add chocolate sprinkles.
And you thought root beer floats were yummy!
Here are some variations to try:
- Black Cow: Use cola instead of root beer. Some people even use chocolate ice cream.
- Purple Cow: Grape soda, vanilla ice cream.
- Pink Cow: Strawberry soda, vanilla ice cream.
- Boston Cooler: Ginger ale, vanilla ice cream.
Sweet!
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What a great idea! And thanks for the recipe. Must try it. Ah, while reading MISTAKEN. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Mona! Doesn’t it sound yummy? I might have to make another.
How am I supposed to stay on the straight and narrow when you tempt me with all these flavors? I’m dying for a Purple Cow Now!
Try it, Pat! And tell me what you think. I’ve never done the purple cow, but I L-O-V-E the black cow.
Yumy-yum!!!!!