It’s that time of year again — fresh fruit is abundant and lazy Saturdays require a tall cool drink. I developed this recipe because I wanted to experiment with cutting the sweetness of cherry with the spice of black pepper. Try this non-alcoholic drink or a version of a lime rickey that uses the syrup.

Black Cherry Black Pepper Soda Syrup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups black cherries, stemmed and pitted
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoon black pepper
• 2 limes
• Soda water

Instructions: 

1. Wash, stem and pit cherries. Put into a medium sauce pan.
2. Add sugar and water.
3. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
4. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Mash cherry with a potato masher.
6. Simmer until liquid has reduced to half a cup.
7. Strain liquid into a mason jar. Let cool.
8. Put 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Add pepper.
9. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
10. Add to cherry syrup. Let cool.
11. Put ice into two tall glasses.
12. Squeeze the juice of one lime into each glass.
13. Put one shot of syrup into each glass.
14. Top with soda water and stir.
15. Enjoy!