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Craving something sweet and bubbly? Try this homemade cherry vanilla soda. It takes that old-school cream soda vibe, gives it a cool cherry kick, and turns fizzy water into a gorgeous ruby refresher. Perfect for hot days or any get-together when you want a fun booze-free option.
Honestly, I started tossing this together years ago thanks to too many cherries at the farmers market. Now it’s our go-to for surprise summer hangouts. Friends even ask for it by name.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Soda water: Gotta have some chilled bubbly to make it pop. Stick it in the fridge so it’s super fizzy.
- Pure vanilla extract: Real vanilla brings cozy, warm notes. Pick the real stuff—skip the fake version if you can.
- Water: For melting the sugar and pulling out all those cherry flavors while it simmers.
- Granulated sugar: This’ll lock in the fruit taste and get your syrup nice and thick. Regular white sugar works just fine.
- Fresh cherries: The base of everything. Go for the juiciest, glossiest cherries you can find because those pack max flavor and a touch of tang.
Simple Step-by-Step
- Mix everything up:
- Pour your chopped cherries, vanilla, sugar, and water into a small pot and set it over medium heat. You’ll see it start to bubble and the mixture will go ruby as the sugar melts in.
- Mash it down:
- After five minutes of gentle cooking, take a sturdy spoon or potato masher and crush those cherries right in the pot. Press just enough to let the juices out, but keep an eye out—you don’t wanna splash hot syrup around.
- Reduce and thicken:
- Keep it cooking (stirring here and there so nothing sticks) for around 10 minutes. You want the syrup to deepen in color and taste.
- Let cool and strain:
- Once it’s done, turn off the heat and let everything settle for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine strainer into a jar, pressing the mush to get all the sweet syrup.
- Prep the cherries:
- Slice every cherry in half and pick out the pits. Heads up—this can get messy, so maybe use gloves if you want to keep your hands stain-free.
- Build your drink:
- Fill a glass with ice, add enough cherry vanilla syrup to taste, then pour on your cold soda water. Give it a gentle stir so you keep those bubbles lively.
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The day I served this to my grandma, you could tell it took her right back to being a kid at an old soda fountain. We all love how it brings those memories up for her—it means a lot to us.
Keep It Fresh
Pop your finished cherry vanilla syrup into a jar with a tight lid and park it in the fridge—it’ll stay yummy up to a week. It might get a little darker in the fridge, but the taste will still be great. Want to stash some longer? Freeze portions in an ice cube tray, then toss the cubes into a freezer bag for up to 3 months. That way, you can just grab a chunk when you’re in the mood.
Fun Twists
This mix is a blast to play with. Try swapping in some blackberries or raspberries with the cherries for a taste that’s got extra berry punch. Want to make it grown-up? A splash of bourbon or rum totally works. Chilly outside? Warm the syrup with some cloves and cinnamon, then mix with steamed milk instead of soda water for a sweet winter treat.
Not Just for Drinks
You can use this syrup in tons of ways. Drizzle it over vanilla ice cream for a killer sundae, brush it on cake layers to keep them moist, or stir it into yogurt for a sweet breakfast. It even jazzes up salad dressings when you want to balance out something tart with a touch of sweet.
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Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
Go for it—grab frozen cherries straight from the bag and toss them into your pot. No need to let them thaw. They give off a little more liquid, so let them cook an extra minute or two if needed.
- → How long does the cherry vanilla syrup last?
Your syrup stays good for about seven days in a sealed jar in the fridge. Let it cool completely first before you stash it away.
- → Can I make this drink without refined sugar?
Sure thing—swap in honey or maple syrup instead of regular sugar. Try starting with a third of a cup and see how you like it, since those sweeteners are pretty strong. Just know the taste will be a bit different.
- → What can I use instead of soda water?
If you want something else bubbly, try tonic water for a hint of bitterness or ginger ale for more zing. You could even splash in prosecco or champagne for a grown-up twist. Not feeling the bubbles? Go with plain cold water or even some iced tea.
- → Are there other fruits I can use with this method?
Totally! Berries like raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries do great with this approach. You can also make juicy syrups using fruit like plums or peaches—it’s super tasty.
- → How can I make this drink look more special for guests?
Stick a fresh cherry or two on a toothpick as a garnish, toss in a bit of fresh mint, or run the rim through some sugar for sparkle. You can even freeze cherries to use as your ice cubes, so your drink looks cool and never gets watery.