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Milk based drinks

What is an egg cream? A guide

Quick answer

An egg cream contains no eggs and no cream. It is usually made from milk, seltzer (carbonated water) and chocolate syrup, and it comes from New York. We do not list shops, because we have not visited them. USDA lists whole milk at 61 kcal per 100 g, about 19 kcal per fluid ounce, and club soda at 0 kcal; the syrup's calories depend on the brand, so read its label.

Eggs or cream in an egg creamNone
Usual ingredientsMilk, seltzer, chocolate syrup
Whole milk per fl oz (USDA)about 19 kcal
Club soda per 100 g (USDA)0 kcal

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In this article
  1. What is an egg cream?
  2. What is in it (USDA)
  3. Where to find one
  4. Quick summary

This page used to promise the best egg cream in a place it never named. We have not visited shops, so we list none. What we can do is tell you what an egg cream is.

What is an egg cream?

An egg cream is a cold soda-fountain drink associated with New York. Despite the name, it has no eggs and no cream. It is usually milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup, stirred to a foamy head. Some versions use vanilla or coffee syrup. Where the name and the drink came from is disputed, so we do not repeat any one story.

What is in it (USDA)

  • Whole milk: 61 kcal, 3.15 g protein, 3.25 g fat and 4.8 g carbohydrate per 100 g; about 19 kcal per fluid ounce.
  • Club soda: 0 kcal per 100 g.
  • Chocolate syrup: varies by brand, so check the label.

Where to find one

Look for traditional soda fountains and diners and ask whether they make egg creams to order. Compare recent reviews. We name no shops.

Quick summary

  • No eggs, no cream: milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup.
  • Whole milk is about 19 kcal per fluid ounce (USDA).

General information, not medical advice.

People also ask

Does an egg cream contain eggs?

No. It is usually made from milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup, and contains no eggs or cream.

Where can I find an egg cream?

Look for old-style soda fountains and diners, especially in New York, and ask. We have not visited shops, so we do not name any.

How many calories are in an egg cream?

It depends on the recipe. Whole milk is about 19 kcal per fluid ounce and club soda has none (USDA); add the calories of the syrup from its label.

General information only, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, ask your doctor before changing what you drink.

Sources

  1. USDA FoodData Central: Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat, with added vitamin D (171265)
  2. USDA FoodData Central: Beverages, carbonated, club soda (174842)
  3. Wikipedia: Egg cream (secondary source, origin and ingredients)
Written by Drinks Type Editorial Team · Published Oct 6, 2025 · Updated Nov 1, 2026
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