Add cherries, sugar, water, and salt to a saucepan. Stir to combine, then turn the heat to high and bring to a roaring boil.

Once boiling, use a potato masher to gently mash the cherries, bringing out their vibrant flavor.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.

Carefully strain out the cherry pieces using a strainer and set them aside in a separate bowl.

Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.

Let the syrup cool at room temperature for at least an hour. Then, transfer it to a syrup bottle or mason jar and store it in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Don’t toss those mashed cherries! They’re perfect as a topping for pancakes, waffles, French toast, yogurt, oatmeal, chia pudding, ice cream, or even mixed into mocktails and drinks!