Summertime Sour Cherry cocktail
Ingredients for the syrup
yields 2 1/2 cups
-
1 pound sour cherries, cleaned, stems removed
-
3/4 cups sugar
-
1 cup water
-
peel strips from half a lemon
-
peel strips from half a medium orange
​
Syrup directions
-
Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cut heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
-
Strain though a fine metal mesh strainer, pressing solids to extract all the flavor. Discard pits and citrus strips.
-
Cool and store in refrigerator for up to a week.​
Ingredients for the cocktail
(Makes two old fashioned-sized drinks)
-
3 oz. vodka (I like a Tito's)
-
1/4 oz. Amaretto
-
1/2 oz. lime juice
-
2 1/2 oz. cherry syrup (above)
-
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
-
2 lime wheels, fresh mint, and pitted fresh cherries for garnish
​
Mix your drinks
-
In a small pitcher, combine ice, the vodka, Amaretto, lime juice, cherry syrup and two dashes bitters. Stir until well blended.
-
Strain into two old fashioned glasses. Add ice (I like one large square cube per glass) and top with sparkling water to taste.
-
Garnish with lime slices, smacked mint, pitted cherries, and serve.