Sweet and Sour Cherry Sparkler

1 cup of water
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of cherries
2 oz of Vodka
1 oz of Lemon Juice
club soda

In a small saucepan, heat water, sugar, and pitted cherries until the sugar has completely melted. Using a potato masher, smash the cherries. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and cool over an ice bath. Once the cherry simple syrup has reached room temperature, fill a shaker with ice. Add the vodka, lemon juice, and 1 ounce of the simple syrup. Shake to combine and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with club soda and garnish with fresh cherries.