Put the cherries, sugar, water, 3 tbsp Amaretto, lime juice, cinnamon stick, vanilla essence in a pan and let this cook on a medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. As the mixture cooks, smash the cherries. You'll notice that the syrup will thicken and the colour will become deep burgundy. Let this cook for 3 minutes on a medium heat and turn off the fire. Set the syrup aside and let this cool down completely.

Prepare two small glasses (or one big glass). Divide the cooled syrup and cherries over two glasses and make sure to leave 1 tbsp of syrup behind.  Then add 1 extra shot of Amaretto in each glass (or two if you like it stronger), squeeze of lime juice and half a cup of crushed ice. Garnish with some extra lime wedges/cubes, cherries and drizzle some syrup on the crushed ice.

NOTE: I didn’t add any extra water because it was a hot day and my ice melted quickly. But feel free to add 7UP, Sprite or water.

TIP: to make this drink non-alcoholic leave out the Amaretto and substitute it for 1/4 tsp of almond essence (add this to the cooled cherry mixtures). Add a soda such as Sprite or 7UP to fill up the glasses.

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