Manhattan Special's Vanilla Cream soda
Manhattan Special’s Vanilla Cream soda has one of the most intense creamy caramel flavors of vanilla I’ve ever experienced in a soda. It was almost like eating the liquefied caramel Starbucks puts in the Caramel Macchiato.
The soda has a light beige complexion and is nearly transparent. The company’s website touts a tradition of making bottled beverages since 1895. You can order it online at Soda Samurai or from Galco’s.
The bottler has been known mostly for its coffee-based beverages, but also has a growing line of sodas.
The next closest vanilla cream soda I’d compare it to would be Henry Weinhard’s Vanilla Cream Soda. Weinhard’s is a honey vanilla cream soda. I don’t know how that makes it different, but I assume it means they put honey in it.
They’re both tasty. But I did a little research and discovered that Henry Weinhard’s soda distribution is actually a separate enterprise based in Fort Worth, Texas. Weinhard’s soda uses HFCS — high fructose corn syrup — which is a big no-no (Manhattan uses cane sugar). That will get you voted off the soda pop island.
Kyle Hayes