Blueberry Crisp Dirty Cream Soda

Yield: ~8 servings

Ingredients

• Syrup
• 2 tbsp rolled oats
• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
• 2 1/2 cups blueberry juice
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 cups frozen blueberries
• 1/4 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp butter extract
• 1 pinch salt
• Soda (each)
• 2 oz. cream soda
• 6 oz. blueberry sparkling water
• 4 tbsp blueberry crisp syrup
• 2 tbsp half and half
• Whipped cream
• 1 tsp Grape Nuts cereal

Directions

1. Toast the oatmeal in a sauce pan over medium heat until lightly browned.  Add the walnuts and toast for 30 seconds longer.
2. Add the blueberry juice, sugar, blueberries, and cinnamon stick.  Bring to a simmer, and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes.  Strain through a fine metal mesh to remove the solids.  Add the butter extract and salt.  Cover and refrigerate the syrup until ready to use.
4. To make the soda, fill a glass with ice.  Fill the glass 2/3 with cream soda, and 1/3 with sparkling water.  Add syrup to taste, and stir together.  Splash with half and half (don't stir), top with whipped cream, and sprinkle the grape nuts.
• For a 10 oz. glass, we used: 3 tbsp syrup & 2 tbsp half and half.  You can adjust to taste.

Adapted from Chef John.