How many chocolate syrup choices do you need?

[Little_Nemo]

As a sign of spring, I’ve been feeling like having an egg cream lately. And I insist on doing it right - the only chocolate syrup for a real egg cream is Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup. So I had to make a trip to Thruway Market because that’s the only store I know that carries it.

Now if you were to think about it, you might consider the average supermarket might carry a couple of brands of chocolate syrup. Hershey is the national leader. And most stores probably have a cheaper generic store brand. But really, how many choices do you need in chocolate syrup?

Thruway Market has seven different brands of chocolate syrup for sale. Hershey, IGA store brand, the aforementioned Fox’s U-Bet, Bosco, Yoohoo, Sorbee, and Grandma’s. Seriously, why on Earth would any store carry this many different kinds of chocolate syrup?

Mundane and pointless.

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

Now I want an egg cream. I have the Fox’s and the milk but no seltzer, dammit.

[Little_Nemo]

I always cheat and use half and half instead of milk.

I’m going to make one now.

[Ike_Witt]

How do you make an egg cream? Are actual eggs involved?

[Podkayne]

Now that I’ve Alton has showed me the light, I make my own chocolate syrup. It really is miles better.

Good Eats Cocoa Syrup recipe.

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

Fox’s U-Bet Syrup, Milk, and Seltzer.

If you buy a bottle of Fox’s, the recipe is on it. And honestly, it has never worked with another syrup for me.

No eggs in it. There is some explanation for the name, but I’ve since forgotten.

Tastes exactly like an Ice Cream Float after all the ice cream has melted/been eaten. Scrumptious.

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

Some name lore:

Trip Ideas and Itineraries

According to NYCA, the original egg cream was produced in Manhattan. The syrup which was used was made with eggs, and cream was used to give it a richer taste. Later milk and regular syrup were employed, but the name was kept. However, recently I discussed the matter with a Bronx native who recalls getting a drink with the same name that had egg whites added to make it more frothy. If any of you wish to share your own experiences with this beverage, please feel free.

[Ike_Witt]

I must say that milk, soda and chocolate is not 3 things I would usually consider mixing together.

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

One of my favorite scenes from the West Wing:

Bartlet: “Toby, I’m drinking the most fantastic thing I’ve ever tasted in my life: chocolate syrup, cold milk, and seltzer. I know it sounds terrible, but trust me, I don’t know where this has been all my life.”
Toby: “It’s called an egg cream, Mr. President. We invented it in Brooklyn.”
Bartlet: “In Brooklyn.”
Toby: “Yes, sir.”
Bartlet: “Not New England?”
Toby: “There are some good things in this world not from New England, sir.”
Bartlet: “Toby, don’t ever let me hear you say that again.”
Toby: “Yes, sir.”

[chaoticbear]

This sounds totally gross. When you say “like a melted ice cream float,” do you mean like a root beer one? When you say “soda,” is that soda water or cola?

I don’t like root beer/coke floats.

But if this is syrup + soda water + ice cream, maybe that’s different.

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

Soda water. Not root beer.

[Anastasaeon]

I like the variety… since moving here to the US that is something that shocks and pleases me. Sometimes it seems overboard, but there are times when I am thankful. I *hate * the skunky taste of Hersheys! Give me variety, especially in chocolate, where the taste is so variable!

USA! USA!

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

Am I the only one who thinks Hershey’s syrup smells (and faintly tastes) of pencil shavings? For some odd reason, whenever I use it, I’m suddenly standing in first grade with one of those wall mounted pencil sharpeners in front of me. I can’t shake the association.

[wonderwench]

@Little Nemo

Thruway Market has seven different brands of chocolate syrup for sale. Hershey, IGA store brand, the aforementioned Fox’s U-Bet, Bosco, Yoohoo, Sorbee, and Grandma’s. Seriously, why on Earth would any store carry this many different kinds of chocolate syrup?

Mundane and pointless.

One can never have too many choices for chocolate.

[Little_Nemo]

Here, for those who’d like to try it, is how to make an egg cream:

Get a tall glass.
Pour in about 3/4 inch of milk (or half and half). About 1.5 cm for our metric friends.
Pour in about 1/2 inch (1 cm) of Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup. If you’ve been shopping at Thruway market you can substitute any one of several other brands of chocolate syrup but it won’t be as good.
Stir it up with a fork.
Slowly pour in seltzer water (aka soda water or carbonated water) until the glass is full.
Drink.
Start a thread in MPSIMS.

[Anastasaeon]

@Little Nemo

Here, for those who’d like to try it, is how to make an egg cream:

Get a tall glass.
Pour in about 3/4 inch of milk (or half and half). About 1.5 cm for our metric friends.
Pour in about 1/2 inch (1 cm) of Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup. If you’ve been shopping at Thruway market you can substitute any one of several other brands of chocolate syrup but it won’t be as good.
Stir it up with a fork.
Slowly pour in seltzer water (aka soda water or carbonated water) until the glass is full.
Drink.
Start a thread in MPSIMS.

Bite your tongue. You may have just prompted another appearance of my alter ego.

[TellMeI_mNotCrazy]

I remember your coke au lait thread. ONe of my faves.

[Little_Nemo]

Anastasaeon, I would have done an illustrated version of “Little Nemo in the Land of Chocolate Syrups” but the Winsor McCay estate filed an injunction.

[Ike_Witt]

I am intrigued and would like to try an egg cream. However, living in Texas I see that my options for buying this Fox’s chocolate syrup are limited to one store in Sugar Land. I may have to use something else - however, I’ll everything in my power to avoid Hershey’s.