One of the more annoying aspects of pregnancy is forbidden foods. In particular, forbidden drinks. Yes, I used to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but that vice has pretty much been put on hold. Strangely, I don't miss the alcohol as much as I miss the variety of taste. The tart tannins of wine, the bitter flowery notes of beer, the sweet oakyness of a good single malt... When you're reduced to water, milk, and soda, you get fed up FAST with sweet drinks. I go through lots of club soda, but that gets dull after a few months. Tonic water is better, but I limit my intake because quinine isn't that great for developing fetuses. Dry Soda is really tasty, but at $2 a bottle, this pregnant lady balks a little. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I invented the following beverage, something I like to call (very creatively) the "Pregnant Lady Cocktail". It's bubbly and tart, and the sweetness level can be adjusted depending on what the taste buds call for that day. As all pregnant ladies know, that can change in an instant. Did I mention there are cherries? Pregnant Lady Cocktail Serves one pregnant lady Pour into a pint glass: 1 12 oz can club soda or seltzer 1/2 to 1 1/2 oz Torani raspberry syrup (to taste) 1/2 to 1 1/2 oz Key Lime Juice Stir gently, add ice and several maraschino cherries. Drink in one gulp, preferably through a pink straw.