Vanilla Bean Cream Soda

We had new friends over for dinner tonight. We dined on classic picnic fare, the nicest batch of baked beans this side of our purple mountains, and a deep baking dish full of mac and cheese. There was grilled chicken and good conversation. We were having the finest of nights. Until…someone thought to mention the calendar.

“Two and a half weeks until school starts.”

It was said flippantly, a passing thought, mention of accepted truth. The conversation continued, but my mind stopped. So had my breath. So had my pulse.

Two and a half weeks until school starts.

What if I’m not ready? What if I’ve only thrice hiked purple mountains with my sunkissed babes? What if I’ve watched them a mere four times from the pool deck, hair wet, smiles plastered across their pink cheeks? What if the Ice Cream Truck has only driven the route in front of our home twelve times, and we’ve only bought over-priced popscicles ten of those times? What if I want to buy obscenely large slushies on steam-riddled afternoons, rather that stand in line for school supplies in over-crowded shopping aisles? What if I’d rather make homemade cream soda every minute of the year with four lovely children hanging on my heels, even if it means a bungle of toys on the kitchen floor, and an eternal mound of laundry, and full afternoons of grumpy siblings? What if I refuse to peek at the calendar until around this time next year?

It seems I’ve got two-and-a-half weeks to swim in denial. Splash.

Vanilla Bean Cream Soda

Keep things cool with a simple, homemade version of this soda shoppe classic. Thick with the flavor of fresh vanilla, served chilled in a tall glass, this homemade cream soda is a delightfully easy summer treat.

2 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp of almond extract
1 quart soda water, chilled

Combine 1 cup of water with the sugar in a medium saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add . Boil over medium-high heat, until the sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool before stirring in the vanilla extract. In a large pitcher or bowl, combine with soda water, stirring gently to combine.

For an extra-cool party effect: Serve in a large punch bowl with dry ice.

Cherry-Cream Soda: Add 1 packet of cherry kool-aid and 1/2 tsp. almond extract for a beautiful, bright red soda/

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