When I set out to write the Talk Nerdy to Me series, I knew I wanted to include drink recipes in each book. But, as I thought about it further, I realized I didn’t know how to develop a cocktail recipe, since I don’t really consume liquor.

Then, I had a great idea that allowed me to create drink recipes, but that also made sense for the series. In the books, bartender extraordinaire, Jamie, talks about how she doesn’t drink because alcohol famously lowers inhibitions and her wild self needs no help in lowering inhibitions (I love her!). As a result, she creates a mocktail menu for Nerdvana that are not only alcohol free, but each drink has a moniker that’s fitting with the geek-theme of Nerdvana. Every one of Jamie’s mocktails are revealed in each book, and the recipes are dished here and on my social media.

Today, I’m excited to share another alcohol free drink recipe with you!

With the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to share the first mocktail recipe I created. It’s a great drink that’s familiar and perfect for celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s Eve. I say it’s familiar, because really, it’s my take on a Shirley Temple. I chose to share this recipe at this time because cherries in a lemon-lime soda always remind me of Christmas and New Year’s. When I was a little girl, we tended to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s at my grandparents’ house. And while all the adults were celebrating with grown up drinks, my grandma always made me feel special by mixing 7Up with cherries for me to drink.

It was with that fond memory that I made this drink recipe that is simple, but oh-so-tasty.

Fangirling Hard (Cherry Lemon-Lime)  Book 1, Nerdy Words

INGREDIENTS

lemon-lime soda 

jarred maraschino cherries, plus the juice

DIRECTIONS

Drop 1-2 cherries in a glass (preferably a pretty one, like a champagne flute), then fill with desired amount of soda. Top off with a few drops of the juice from the jarred cherries.  Enjoy!