Sonic Drive-In is serious about rich and creamy soft-serve, with sundaes, shakes, and Blasts galore. Great as it tastes, though, a lot of customers wonder what’s in Sonic ice cream. Whether you are searching out nutrition information, wanting to know about allergens and other dietary no-nos, or you simply want to know what helps give Sonic its signature smoothness, this guide has all the information.
Deconstructing Sonic Ice Cream Ingredients
Sonic’s ice cream consists of a perfect combination of dairy ingredients, sweeteners, and stabilizers for better consistency and taste. Here is a more close look into major ingredients that come into use.
Dairy Components
- Milk and cream make it so rich, while Sonic ice cream adds to its silky smoothness.
- Non-fat milk helps to cut down on heavy texture without giving the taste a dent of a light one.
Sweeteners
- Sugar enhances the inherent sweetness of the ice cream.
- Corn syrup prevents the growth of ice crystals and adds to the smoothness.
Stabilizers and Emulsifiers
- Mono and diglycerides blend fat and water together to avoid separation.
- Guar gum and cellulose gum are used as thickening agents in order to enhance the texture.
- Carrageenan acts as a stabilizer that keeps the creamy consistency of the ice cream.
Flavoring and Additives
- Vanilla extract is used in the base soft-serve for the classic vanilla flavor.
- Specialty shakes and Blasts may have artificial flavors.
- Some seasonal or special flavors can include food coloring.
Does Sonic Use Real Dairy in Its Ice Cream?
Yes, Sonic ice cream contains dairy. The milk and cream in the base give it a smooth and rich texture. Sonic does not currently offer a dairy-free ice cream option, so those who are lactose intolerant or avoiding dairy will need to choose a different dessert, such as a slush.
Does Sonic Ice Cream Contain Gluten?
The plain vanilla soft-serve base at Sonic is gluten-free. But some toppings, cones, and mix-ins do contain gluten.
Gluten-Free Options
- Vanilla or chocolate soft-serve in a cup
- Shakes without cookie or brownie mix-ins
- Sundaes with caramel or fruit toppings
Ingredients That Contain Gluten
- Regular and waffle ice cream cones
- Blasts with Oreo, brownie, or cookie dough mix-ins
If you are gluten intolerant, always request your soft-serve in a cup without any cookie-based toppings.
Does Sonic Ice Cream Contain Eggs?
No, classic Sonic soft-serve ice cream does not have eggs. Certain mix-ins and baked toppings can, however. Some examples may include:
- Mix-ins: Brownie or cake
- Baked toppings: Cookies
- Some sundae and shake limited-time offers
If you have an egg allergy, you should always confirm with the location you visit regarding your order.
How Many Calories Are in Sonic Ice Cream?
The calorie content of Sonic ice cream will depend on the type and size. An approximate list of the calories found in various Sonic ice cream products has been described below.
Sonic Ice Cream Cone Calories
Ice Cream Cone | Calories | Total Fat | Sugar | Protein |
Small Vanilla Cone | 180-250 | 7-10g | 20-30g | 5-8g |
Regular Vanilla Cone | 250-320 | 10-15g | 30-40g | 6-9g |
Chocolate-Dipped Cone | 280-350 | 12-18g | 35-45g | 7-10g |
Waffle Cone | 300-400 | 15-20g | 40-50g | 7-10g |
Sonic Sundae Calories
Sundae | Calories | Total Fat | Sugar | Protein |
Hot Fudge Sundae | 300-400 | 12-18g | 35-50g | 6-9g |
Caramel Sundae | 280-380 | 10-16g | 30-45g | 6-9g |
Strawberry Sundae | 250-350 | 8-14g | 30-45g | 5-8g |
Sonic Shake Calories
Shake Size | Calories | Total Fat | Sugar | Protein |
Small Shake | 400-550 | 12-18g | 50-70g | 8-12g |
Medium Shake | 500-700 | 15-22g | 60-85g | 10-14g |
Large Shake | 700-900 | 18-28g | 80-100g | 12-16g |
How Sonic Ice Cream Is Made
Sonic ice cream is made by a soft-serve machine that combines the ingredients and freezes them all at once. Here’s how it works:
- Liquid ice cream mix is placed into the machine, which is filled with dairy, sugar, and stabilizers.
- The mixture freezes while constantly churning inside the machine to create a smooth, airy texture.
- The soft-serve goes directly into cones, sundaes, or shakes to keep a creamy consistency.
Unlike traditional hard ice cream, Sonic soft-serve has a lighter, creamier texture thanks to the air whipped in during freezing.
How Sonic Ice Cream Compares to Other Fast-Food Ice Cream
Sonic ice cream is comparable in ingredients and calories to other fast-food soft-serve options. Here’s how it compares.
Fast-Food Chain | Ice Cream Cone Calories |
Sonic Small Vanilla Cone | 180-250 |
McDonald’s Vanilla Cone | 200-250 |
Dairy Queen Small Cone | 220-290 |
Wendy’s Frosty (Small) | 200-300 |
Sonic’s ice cream contains real dairy, sugar, and stabilizers, making it similar in nutrition to McDonald’s and Dairy Queen soft-serve.
How to Order a Healthier Sonic Ice Cream Treat
If you’re looking for a lighter option, here are some ways to reduce calories and sugar in your Sonic ice cream order.
- Choose a small vanilla cone instead of a shake or Blast.
- Ask for soft-serve in a cup instead of a cone to save calories from the cone itself.
- Skip whipped cream and extra syrups to lower sugar content.
- Order a fruit-based sundae instead of one with hot fudge or caramel.
- Ask for less syrup in shakes to cut down on added sugar.
Why People Love Sonic Ice Cream
Sonic’s ice cream remains a favorite because of its smooth texture, affordability, and customization options.
High-Quality Ingredients
Sonic’s soft-serve is made with real dairy, making it richer and creamier than some of its competitors.
Customizable Toppings and Mix-Ins
Syrups, candy mix-ins, or fruit can be added to make a treat all one’s own.
Convenient and Budget-Friendly
Compared to specialty ice cream shops, Sonic offers delicious frozen treats at a lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sonic Ice Cream Ingredients
Does Sonic ice cream have real milk?
Yes, Sonic ice cream is made with real milk and cream.
Is Sonic ice cream gluten-free?
Base soft-serve is gluten-free, but the cones and some toppings are not.
Does Sonic have dairy-free ice cream?
No, all Sonic frozen ice cream desserts do have dairy.
Does Sonic ice cream contain any artificial flavors?
Even though a few of the special flavors have a little artificial ingredient, base soft-serve actually depends on the natural flavor of vanilla.
Is Sonic soft-serve actually ice cream?
Sonic soft-serve contains less fat compared to premium ice cream, making it light and smooth.