Vegan and non-dairy alternatives to egg cream
Yes, an egg cream can be made vegan or dairy-free. Replace the milk with a creamy plant milk, such as coconut milk or soy milk, use a dairy-free chocolate syrup and top with cold plain seltzer. A traditional egg cream has no egg, so only the milk needs swapping.
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In this article
Is an egg cream vegan?
The classic drink has no egg despite the name. It is milk, chocolate syrup and seltzer, so the only dairy to replace is the milk. Check the syrup label as well.
Best non-dairy swaps
- Coconut milk: one dairy-free recipe uses regular, well-shaken coconut milk for the richest result. A lighter drink uses light coconut milk.
- Soy or other plant milk: the recipe suggests a rich option such as a coconut milk beverage or soymilk. Others, including oat, may work, but thin ones give little body.
- Dairy-free creamer: unsweetened creamers keep the sweetness down. Brands named on that recipe page include Nutpods, and Ripple and Califia Farms for dairy-free half-and-half.
Simple starting ratio
| Part | Amount for one glass |
|---|---|
| Creamy dairy-free milk or creamer | 1/4 cup creamer or coconut milk (use 1/3 cup of a plant milk and reduce the seltzer) |
| Dairy-free chocolate syrup | 2 tablespoons |
| Plain seltzer, cold | about 3/4 cup (2/3 cup with 1/3 cup plant milk) |
These amounts come from one published dairy-free recipe. Adjust to taste.
How to make it
- Mix the milk and syrup until frothy, with a frother or a few quick stirs.
- Pour in the seltzer slowly and stir gently.
- Drink right away. The foam does not last.
Check the syrup
Syrups differ by brand, so read the ingredient list. That recipe page names Hershey’s, Fox’s U-Bet and Holy Krakow as naturally dairy-free, but formulas can change, so check the current label. Homemade syrup from cocoa, sugar, water and vanilla is dairy-free by design.
Tips
- Serve it immediately, with cold ingredients and freshly opened seltzer.
- Expect less foam than with whole milk. Richer milks should work better than thin ones, though results vary by brand.
- Use seltzer rather than club soda, which has added salt.
If you have a milk allergy, read every label, including the syrup, because allergen handling differs by product.
People also ask
What is the best milk for a vegan egg cream?
A rich one: regular coconut milk, a coconut milk beverage or soymilk. Thin plant milks make a weaker drink.
Is chocolate syrup dairy-free?
Many are, but not all. Read the ingredient and allergen list on the bottle you buy.
Will a dairy-free egg cream foam?
Somewhat. Use cold ingredients, fresh seltzer and drink it right away. Expect a smaller head than with whole milk.
Sources
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