Expert: John V. Barbieri - 5/1/2009

Question
Hi there!  Not sure if this is in your area of expertise, but there seems to be some discrepancy in how to make a "proper" New York egg cream.  I know it's supposed to be made with Fox's U-bet chocolate syrup, but does the syrup go in first or last?  What's the proper order of adding the ingredients, according to most New Yorkers?!  Thanks!

Answer
New York's (Brooklyn's) Famous Egg Cream

1 cup milk
Sparkling seltzer water
About 2 tablespoons Fox's U-Bet Chocolate-Flavored Syrup*
To concoct an authentic Brooklyn Egg Cream, pour milk into a glass. Add sparkling seltzer water until a white head reaches the top of the glass. Spoon in about 2 tablespoons of syrup with a little wrist action. Voila!
Makes 1 serving.

* According to New York City-born actor, director, and comic genius, Mel Brooks, an admitted Egg Cream cultist, "You got to get Fox's U-Bet Syrup. If you use any other syrup the egg cream will be too bitter or too mild."