Pour 2 ounces seltzer in each of 4 parfait glasses. Add 2 scoops of ice cream. Top with 2 tablespoons cola syrup, about 1 ounce more of the seltzer, and garnish with a cherry

Combine the half-and-half, vanilla bean and seeds and salt, in a nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Bring the half-and-half to a boil to scald it, and remove the saucepan from the heat.

Beat the sugar and egg yolks in a bowl. Add the half-and-half mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, to the beaten eggs and sugar, whisking in between each addition, until all is used. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat, strain through a fine mesh sieve and cool completely.

Pour the filling into the ice cream machine and follow the manufacturer's instructions for churning time. Remove the ice cream from the machine and place in a freezer-safe container and freeze until firm, about 8 hours.

Yield: about 6 cups

Simmer all ingredients for 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature, cover, and steep refrigerated for several hours and up to overnight. Strain through a fine sieve.

Yield: about 1 3/4 cups syrup