Sparkling Cherry Limeade Cocktail

Serves 2

ice, for shaking and serving

1/3 cup vodka

3 tablespoons cherry simple syrup*

2/3 cup club soda or seltzer to taste

1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed

fresh cherries for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, cherry simple syrup and lime juice. Shake vigorously. Strain the mixture into a glass and fill with fresh ice. Top off each cocktail with club soda and garnish with a cherry.

For a mocktail version, leave out the vodka and add another tablespoon of cherry simple syrup.

*Cherry Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar

1cup water

1 cup fresh cherries, pitted

In a medium sized saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and fresh cherries over medium high heat. As the mixture begins to simmer, use the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler to smash the cherries. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the syrup to come to room temperature before use.