Whipped Frozen Cherry Limeade

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Zest of 1 large lime or 2 small limes
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2 limes)
• 1/4 cup tart unsweetened cherry juice
• 2 tbsp half-and-half
• 2 1/2 cup ice cubes

Instructions

1. Bring sugar and water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Stir in lime zest and remove from heat. Cover and let steep for 1 hour, then strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve; discard the zest. (You'll have extra lime simple syrup; refrigerate for up to 1 week.)
2. Add 1/2 cup of the simple syrup, lime juice, cherry juice, half-and-half (if using) and ice to a blender. Blend until the ice is crushed and the mixture is slushy. Divide among 4 8-ounce glasses and serve immediately.