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This homemade cherry vanilla soda is easy, delicious, refreshing, and contains only 5 ingredients.

glass with homemade cherry vanilla soda and several cherries

Why bother making your own soda? Well… it’s quite fun (if you find cooking fun), something a little bit different, and you know exactly what’s going into it.

I don’t normally make homemade pop (or soda as many people call it), but I was inspired after making the lemon simple syrup in my lemon champagne cocktail.

I get on cooking kicks like this sometimes. Also, cherries are now in season, and I wanted to make another cherry drink after thoroughly enjoying the cherry moscato slushes I recently made. This time, I wanted to use fresh cherries.

close-up of glass with cherry vanilla soda

I am pretty new to making syrups, and after mulling it over for a while, I thought that vanilla would go well with the cherries. I probably had Vanilla Coke on the brain since up until recently I couldn’t find them easily here in Canada… so I seriously rationed the ones I was able to find, and now I’m seeing them everywhere.

After a quick Google search, it turns out I’m not the first one to come up with this vanilla-cherry combination, but that’s ok. People love it.

When I tried this drink, it actually reminded me a lot of the cream soda flavor of Jones Sodas I used to enjoy back in the day. No idea if they’re still around, but I used to love them.

fancy plate with cherries

Anyway, the syrup in here is pretty simple… equal parts sugar and water, 12 cherries, and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. I thought of using vanilla beans, but I decided the vanilla extract would be easier, and that’s what I had in my pantry, so I went with that.

You just mash up the cherries and simmer the mixture over medium heat until it’s infused with cherry flavor and reduced a bit.

close-up of homemade cherry vanilla soda in a glass with a pair of cherries

I’ll say this generously makes at least 4 large drinks if you go heavy on the syrup. It really depends how much you add to each glass, but this also doesn’t make a ridiculous amount that you won’t use up in the week or so it’ll be good for.

You could even make a big pitcher for a party. If you want to spike this drink, add a little vodka. The possibilities of homemade syrups are endless. 😉

glass of homemade cherry vanilla soda

Have you ever made your own soft drinks at home? Enjoy!

This homemade cherry vanilla soda is easy, delicious, and contains only 5 ingredients.
3 from 2 votes

Cherry Vanilla Soda

This cherry vanilla soda is an easy homemade fizzy drink that contains only 5 ingredients. 
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 17 minutes
Inactive time:: 15 minutes
Total: 37 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 12 cherries halved & pitted
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Soda water 

Instructions 

  • Cut the cherries in half and remove the pits. Add them to a small saucepan on medium heat along with the water, sugar, and vanilla extract.
  • Once the mixture has been bubbling for about 5 minutes, mash the cherries (I actually used a potato masher to do this... use whatever you think will work). 
  • Continue simmering them on the same heat for another 10 minutes. 
  • Take the pan off the heat and let it cool for 15 minutes prior to straining it (use a sieve) into a jar. 
  • You can let it cool a bit further, or add some to a glass with ice and top it off with soda water. The syrup will keep in the fridge for about a week.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of syrup in your glass based on how sweet/strong you want the drink to be. The drink pictured has 6 teaspoons of syrup.
  • This syrup tastes quite like cream soda.

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Hi! I’m Natasha.

Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!

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3 from 2 votes

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12 Comments

  1. Natasha's Sister says:

    5 stars
    Ok I know it’s winter and this is very summery but I really feel like it. Can you make it for me now??

    1. Natasha says:

      No.

  2. Berlyn says:

    1 star
    This recipe does not work. Don’t bother wasting your cherries and sugar — I had to dump this down the sink. Used a cup of cherries (overflowing) and half cup sugar and the teaspoon of vanilla. Tastes gross, not at all like cherry.

    1. Natasha says:

      I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t see how using a full cup of cherries could make this not taste like cherries, though. Maybe you didn’t like the vanilla? It certainly didn’t taste gross to me but ok.

  3. Elizabeth Van Lierde | The College Housewife says:

    Hi Natasha! i just found your blog today. I love it! Your images are so editorial and give off such a great vibe. Also, your name is lovely, sounds like a cook book just waiting to be written!

    1. Natasha says:

      Aw thank you!! 🙂

  4. Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl) says:

    This looks so refreshing 🙂

    1. Natasha says:

      Thanks so much, Pamela!

  5. puja says:

    This looks gorgeous. Would love to try it this weekend. 🙂

    1. Natasha says:

      Thank you! Let me know if you make it. 🙂

  6. Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says:

    I’m totally on board with this! I’ve only made a few syrups in my life and never a cherry one! I love this idea 🙂

    1. Natasha says:

      Thanks, Lindsay! Yeah… I didn’t know what I was missing… I think I’ll be making more syrups in my future. 🙂