Sometimes I want something chocolaty but I don’t want a brownie, chocolate pudding or ice cream or even a chocolate bar. I am simply thirsty. Hot days like today make a cool tall drink a life saver. Those are the times I reach for my bottle of U-bet Chocolate Syrup. Lickity split I can make an old school drink that is low sugar, low fat and thirst quenching; the venerable chocolate egg cream. Funny thing is, there is no egg in it and often no cream. I sometimes do use half and half but you can make this with any sort of milk you like, even one or two percent. I do discourage the use of skim or non fat milk, at least a little richness is required. My favorite is whole milk.
The chocolate egg cream is allegedly from Brooklyn, NYC. The New York Egg Cream is a variation of the milkshake popular back from the 1880s which had an egg beaten in it. This version I have replicated became popular partially because it was cheaper for soda fountains to make because it had no egg. I am not a big fan of raw eggs in my drinks so I am happy indeed that this “modern” version is sans egg!
I have been making it for years, one of my sisters taught me how.
This is such a simple recipe; get a tall glass, pour in ½ inch depth of some sort of milk, your choice of richness squirt about 1-2 tsp. of chocolate syrup on top, I used to use Hershey’s until I discovered U-Bet syrup which I think has a superior flavor.
I never measure; just enough to flavor the milk, maybe two tsp.? Stir them together well with an ice tea spoon, Add 3-6 ice cubes and fill the glass with well chilled seltzer water. Stir it again. I favor flavored seltzer, the raspberry or cranberry are particularly good for this drink as they add quite a bit of flavor and complexity to this simple little thirst quencher! Recently I tried watermelon seltzer and today, some mango seltzer. A fresh bottle makes the foamiest egg cream so I recommend you splurge and start with a new bottle for your drink preparation. 
Be sure to use a tall glass, it just won’t taste the same in a stubby little one!
So, next time you are longing for a light refreshing soft drink but one with a touch of chocolate, make a chocolate egg cream and smile because it is delicious, has no added sugar and if you use u-bet syrup and one percent milk it is pretty darn low fat!
The resulting tall cold glass of pink yummy stuff was so much more healthy than soda or Gatorade and as quick to make as most smoothies. The cherry juice drink has 55 calories for 4 ounces and your kefir’s calories will depend on what kind of milk you made it from. The banana’s calories depends on it’s size; not much regardless. No added sugar by me either. Regardless, it is healthy, tasty and a great change of pace. Try one made with your favorite juice beverage. Let me know of any good combos you create!
My World Without Wheat 