I’d forgotten just how addicting soda can be!

This week I’ve consumed more than I would probably care to, mostly because I’m still coming off of my cold and it’s something simple that I’ve been enjoying, but also because I finally figured out how to make Cherry Coke the right way that used to be a lot harder to find than apparently it is…

Specifically, what I like is Cherry Coke made with cherry syrup.

This is how the Coke Freestyle machines do it … even though the only known machine near me always seems to be out of cherry … and there’s an awesome ice cream shop over at Disney World – Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort – that makes sodas this way with even cherries garnished on top!

So because only these two places do it right, I don’t feel too bad splurging when I’m around. Earlier this week I tried getting Olive Garden to put some grenadine from their bar in a Coke like I do when I order rum & cokes, and they did, but it still wasn’t nearly sweet enough to matter…

…until I was randomly wandering through Publix and found that you can just buy cherry syrup off the shelf in the ethnic section!!! 

The label says that it’s mainly used for flavoring shaved ice, but it works great for making what I can only assume is an ultra-high calorie Cherry Coke that has led this guy to downing three or four glasses of the stuff in a single evening.

Did I mention that I gave up drinking soda altogether several years ago and for the most part haven’t looked back???

Well, it’s a good thing that this bottle of syrup and the six-pack of Coke that I bought are almost gone because right now I’m looking back and baby, do those calories taste oh-so-sweet…