By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 31, 2025
This Dark Cherry Cream Soda Cocktail has become one of my go-to treats when I want something sweet, fizzy, and a little nostalgic—with a grown-up twist! I’ve always loved cream soda, and mixing it with dark cherry juice takes it to the next level. It’s light, fruity, and totally hits the spot.
Pin this recipe for later!
Easy Dark Cherry Cream Soda Cocktail
This sparkling, sweet Dark Cherry Cream Soda Cocktail is one of my favorite festive drinks—especially around the holidays! It’s light, a little nostalgic, and has just the right punch of cherry flavor to make it feel special.
This past year has been full of firsts—our first (and only!) wedding, our first home, even my first time cooking Brussels sprouts. And now? My first time mixing up this gorgeous cocktail. It’s the kind of drink that feels celebratory, whether you’re toasting big milestones or just enjoying a cozy evening in.
As for the soda, you can use any cream soda you like, but I’ve got to shout out Zevia. I found it during a Whole Foods run (aka my happy place), and it was love at first sip. Zevia’s Cream Soda is naturally sweetened with stevia and monk fruit, has zero calories, and still manages to taste amazing. Honestly, their Mountain Zevia moment felt like fate. With 15 flavors to try, I have a feeling this cocktail will be just the beginning.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups dark cherry juice
- ▢ 8 tbsp vodka 4 shots
- ▢ 1 cup cream soda I used Zevia but any brand will work
- ▢ cherries for garnish optional
Instructions
- Fill four tall glasses with ice
- Pour each glass ¼ to ½ full with dark cherry juice. 2 cups dark cherry juice
- Pour in 1½ oz. of vodka (about 1 shot) 8 tbsp vodka
- Top with cream soda. 1 cup cream soda
- Add cherries for garnish and enjoy! cherries for garnish
Becky’s Tips
- Make sure you use good-quality vodka— it’ll taste much smoother.
- For more of an ice cream float-like flavor, try vanilla-flavored vodka.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Dark Cherry Cream Soda Step by Step
Fill: Fill four tall glasses with ice
Pour: Pour each glass ¼ to ½ full with dark cherry juice.
Add vodka: Pour in 1½ oz. of vodka (about 1 shot).
Top: Top with cream soda.
Garnish and enjoy : Add cherries for garnish and enjoy!
How to Store
These cream soda cocktails should be consumed right away. If you want to do some prep, you can combine everything except the ice and cream soda and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days. Once you add the cream soda, you should serve the cocktail as the fizz will diminish over time.
Serving Suggestions
If I’m entertaining and serving these dark cherry cream soda cocktails, I like to have some snacks on hand. As I’m a true cheese lover, this white queso often makes an appearance along with homemade tortilla chips . If I’m looking to serve something with a little more substance, then these baked wings are my go-to option.
other delicious cocktails
Strawberry Margarita Punch
Raspberry Italian Cream Soda (Boozy)
Frozen Watermelon Margarita Recipe
Holiday Punch Recipe
Adult Dark Cherry Cream Soda
Ingredients
- 2 cups dark cherry juice
- 8 tbsp vodka 4 shots
- 1 cup cream soda I used Zevia but any brand will work
- cherries for garnish optional
Instructions
- Fill four tall glasses with ice
- Pour each glass ¼ to ½ full with dark cherry juice. 2 cups dark cherry juice
- Pour in 1½ oz. of vodka (about 1 shot) 8 tbsp vodka
- Top with cream soda. 1 cup cream soda
- Add cherries for garnish and enjoy! cherries for garnish
Notes
- Make sure you use good-quality vodka— it’ll taste much smoother.
- For more of an ice cream float-like flavor, try vanilla-flavored vodka.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
