Generally flavored with vanilla and based on the taste of an ice cream float, a wide range of variations can be found worldwide.

A recipe for cream soda written by E. M. Sheldon and published in Michigan Farmer in 1852 called for water, cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate), Epsom salts, sugar, egg, and milk to be mixed, then heated, then mixed again once cooled with water and a quarter teaspoonful of baking soda to make an effervescent drink.

It was suggested as a temperance drink preferable to those of "Uncle Bacchus" and in compliance with the recently introduced Maine law.

Howell's cream soda-water was made with sodium bicarbonate, water, sugar, egg whites, wheat flour, and "any of the usual flavoring materials—such as oil of lemon, extracts of vanilla, pine-apple, to suit the taste".

[6] In the United States, cream soda is often vanilla-flavored and is either clear or colored a light golden brown or pink.

Champagne cola (also spelled "kola"), a soft drink similar to cream soda, is ubiquitous across the region.

Another local variant produced by Golden Circle is vanilla and fruit-flavoured, and coloured yellow to distinguish it from existing brands.

Brands include Kirks' Sno Drop (only available in South Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory), Tarax, River Port, Hartz, Saxby's,[11] Bert's Snowette (the original recipe of Shelley's Snowcap (Snowcap Champagne) before the line was acquired)[12] and Schweppes, which also produce a red variety as part of its "Traditionals" range.

Bundaberg Burgundee creaming soda is based on red grapes and is alternately made by other producers under the name portello.

In Malaysia, the F&N or Fraser and Neave brand makes a clear ice cream soda that sold in a blue packaging.

Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka launched their newest flavor, Fanta Cream Soda, in July 2009.