To make one drink: Add some ice to a cocktail shaker along with the liquor, cherry-vanilla syrup, mint, lime juice, and cherries. Shake shake shake! Strain into an ice-filled glass, top with some sparkling water, and add the smashed cherries into the glass. Add a slice of fresh lime, if desired. 

To make the cherry-vanilla simple syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, 1 cup water, and the cherry jam. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved, and stir frequently to help break up the jam. Remove from the heat, add the vanilla, and allow to cool to room temp before using. (I usually transfer to a different container and pop it in the fridge).