Strawberry & Cherry Cream Soda Mocktail

A sweet finish for when “I’m too full” isn’t an acceptable answer

There’s always that moment at the end of dinner when someone leans back and says, “I’m too full for dessert”  Personally, I don’t accept that. But when I’m feeling understanding(ish), I’ll compromise by serving something sweet enough to feel like dessert, but light enough to pass as a drink. This strawberry float-inspired mocktail is exactly that. It’s fizzy, glossy, slightly sharp from the lime, with just enough ginger to keep it interesting. You can keep it clean and simple, or take it all the way with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 150 ml cream soda  

• 40 ml strawberries, muddled with a little sugar  

• 15 ml cherry juice (from a jar of cherries)

• Fresh lime juice (about 10–15 ml, to taste)  

• 5–10 ml ginger cordial (I use Belvoir Farm)  

• Ice  

To garnish:  

• Glacé cherries  

• Squirty whipped cream (optional, but encouraged)

Method

1. Build your base  

  In a glass, combine the muddled strawberries, cherry juice, lime juice, and ginger cordial. Stir gently.

2. Add ice  

  Fill the glass generously- this keeps everything crisp and gives it that fresh, dewy look.

3. Top with cream soda  

  Pour slowly to keep a soft gradient effect, or stir lightly if you prefer it fully mixed.

4. Finish  

  Garnish with cherries (and a strawberry or lime slice if you like).  

  For a more indulgent version, top with a swirl of whipped cream and a cherry.

Notes

• Adjust the lime depending on how sweet you want it—more lime sharpens it up beautifully.  

• The ginger cordial shouldn’t overpower; it should just add a subtle warmth.  

• It works just as well without the cream, but the cream version is undeniably more fun

A dessert disguised as a drink-ideal for guests who “don’t want anything”… until they do.