Vanilla Cherry Cream Soda

Name: Vanilla Cherry Cream Soda
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2 drinks
Ingredients: 0.33 cup tart cherry juice (80 ml); 2 tbsp vanilla syrup, or 1 tbsp sugar plus 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (30 ml); 1.5 cups club soda, chilled (360 ml); 2 tbsp half-and-half (30 ml); cherries and ice

An old-fashioned soda counter drink, made grown-up with tart cherry juice so it is not sugary. The cream goes in last and swirls into pale ribbons. It looks like the best thing on the menu and takes a minute to make.

2 drinksYield

EasyDifficulty

What you'll need

0.33 cup tart cherry juice (80 ml)
2 tbsp vanilla syrup, or 1 tbsp sugar plus 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (30 ml)
1.5 cups club soda, chilled (360 ml)
2 tbsp half-and-half (30 ml)
cherries and ice

How to make it

Stir the cherry juice and vanilla syrup together in two tall glasses.
Add ice, then pour in the club soda until the glass is nearly full.
Float 1 tablespoon of half-and-half on each and stir once.
Glass: Two tall glasses. Garnish: A cherry on a pick.

Chef's secrets

Use tart cherry juice, not cherry cocktail, so it is not too sweet.

Oat cream works in place of half-and-half.

Good to know

Make ahead

Mix the cherry-vanilla base up to a day ahead.