Italian Cherry Cream Sodas (Guest Post by Cravings of a Lunatic)

Hello Hungry Couple fans. I'm so thrilled to be here today. I adore Anita and am wicked excited she is handing me the keys to the castle today. To be here guest posting for the Cocktail Queen is an absolute honour. I shall try to fill her shoes as I best I can in her absence. 

I'll start off by introducing myself. I'm Kim, the lady behind Cravings of a Lunatic. If you haven't visited my blog the best way to describe it is wildly indulgent and extremely eclectic. I love to cook, it's a huge passion of mine. My recipes vary from easy to hard, from meals to desserts, from healthy to stuff that will blow the seams on your trousers.  Recently I've also launched a new site called Kiss My Smoke which is all about grilling. I am obsessed with my grill and will not allow anyone else to touch it. I've been known to throw a punch or two if anyone tries. Grills are for girls, but at our house they certainly aren't for sissies. People might end up with black eyes if they mess with my shiny toy. I grill everything from steak to veggies, and have even been known to bake on my grill. It's how I roll. No fear, and endless experimenting. When Anita asked me to guest post for her I think I told her "um dude, seriously I'm really freaking busy". Then when I stopped laughing I agreed to do it. Then I drove her bat shit crazy by holding my guest post hostage until the final hour. I fear I may get socked in the eye by a hungry cocktail queen when we finally meet in person. My life is pure chaos and Anita was very understanding about things. While secretly plotting to sock me in the eye.

I figure when in Rome make drinks. That's a saying right? Meh. I always stare longingly at Anita's gorgeous cocktail recipes. I cannot drink as I have I.B.S. and it is a wicked trigger for me. So I haven't had alcohol in years. Maybe one little old drink in about 16 years or so. I miss being able to mix up some fun drinks. There's something so sophisticated about a cocktail. But since I can't have alcohol I thought I'd offer up this sissy drink for the Queen of Cocktails. No alcohol but dang these things pack a sweet little punch. 

I saw some Homemade Italian Cream Sodas on Pinterest eons ago. I saved the pin and have been chomping at the bit to try them. So when Anita asked me to guest post I knew this was going to be the drink I would make for her. I tracked the pin back to a site called Butter with a Side of Bread and found those gorgeous Homemade Italian Cream Sodas I had been longing to make.  

I didn't change much about the recipe. I made mine a little sweeter since I have a crazy, over the top sweet tooth. I used maraschino cherry syrup and grenadine for mine instead of Torani syrup. Other than that they are pretty much the same. Why mess with perfection right? Make sure you stop by the original recipe site to see her photos. They are spectacular. My photos are okay, but hers are amazeballs. 

Recipe for Italian Cherry Cream Sodas (this yields 4 glasses):

Ingredients:

2 cups of Sprite (if you want yours less sweet use Club Soda like the original recipe)

6 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup

6 tablespoons grenadine

4 tablespoons half and half

12 ice cubes

Garnish:

Whipped Cream 

Marachino Cherries

Directions:

In each glass pop in some ice cubes.

Pour the Sprite over top. Leave a gap, don't fill right to the top. 

Divide the maraschino cherry syrup and grenadine equally into each glass and stir. 

Add the half and half. 

If taking pictures do not stir.

If you're not a nincompoop like us food bloggers you should stir to get the flavours to mix well.

Add whipped cream on top. 

Then add a cherry. 

Serve with a big old sweet tooth smile!

For those wanting to make real whipping cream it's easy peasy. And easily adjustable to taste. You can leave out the sugar, or you can use a little confectioners sugar or vanilla. It's an easy thing to make to taste. Real whipped cream kicks fake whipped cream arse any day of the week people. 

How to make Real Whipped Cream:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (this is optional, again I have a wicked sweet tooth)

Directions:

In a stand mixer, or a hand mixer with a bowl, whisk the ingredients until fluffy. 

You can transfer to a piping bag and keep cold until you are ready to pipe it over top of the drinks. 

I just loved these drinks. They are wicked sweet so feel free to dial back the syrup or use club soda. I wish my half and half made cooler designs on my glasses but I used tiny little glasses so next time I make these I'll use tall, narrow glasses instead. 

Thanks to Anita for letting me take over her kingdom today. I hope you're having a blast on your vacation and enjoying many delish cocktails!  I'm thrilled to spend the day with all of Anita's peeps. I hope you get a chance to whip up some of these cutesy drinks soon. Add some champagne to them and it's a party grown up style. I'll just sit in the corner with my sissy drink grinning from ear to ear. Sugar makes me happy. Really, really happy.   Peace out while I await a sock in the eye from one of my bestie bloggy buds. Anita is good people. Even if she is plotting her revenge. She's doing it sweetly and with city style I'm sure. Love ya lady. Thanks for being such a supportive bloggy buddy. You complete me. (too far?)

Toodles and smoochies! xx