Disclaimer: This content is for readers 21+ only. Please drink responsibly and follow all local alcohol laws. We do not condone underage or excessive drinking. Never drink and drive.
Cherries are a staple in mixology, offering a perfect blend of sweetness, tartness, and deep color that enhances both classic and contemporary cocktails. Whether using fresh cherry juice, tart cherry juice, cherry liqueurs, or cherry vodka, these versatile ingredients add complexity and richness to every sip.
From timeless favorites like the Old Fashioned and Singapore Sling to creative concoctions such as the Cherry Negroni and Bourbon Cherry Cocktail, cherries can be used in liqueurs, infusions, syrups, and garnishes to create drinks that delight the senses.
Cherry-Based Cocktails: Elevate Your Drinks with Tart Cherry Juice and Liqueurs
Cherry-Based Cocktails
Cherries can be incorporated into cocktails in various ways, including fresh cherry juice, cherry liqueurs, and as a garnish. The main benefit of using cherries in cocktails is that they add sweetness and vibrant color, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Cherries are often used as garnishes in cocktails such as the Pink Lady, where maraschino or Luxardo cherries are preferred. Specific cherry-based cocktails include the Cherry Bomb, made with cachaça and cherry liqueur, and cherry vodka, a versatile ingredient for various cocktails.
Bourbon Cherry Cocktail
The Bourbon Cherry Cocktail balances the rich flavors of bourbon with tart cherry juice for a refreshing drink.
Using a muddler helps extract the natural juices and flavors from fresh cherries, enhancing the cocktail's taste. Using a muddler allows you to properly break down fresh ingredients, maximizing the release of essential juices and flavors. Muddle a few cherries in the bottom of a glass before adding other cocktail ingredients.
Cherry Limeade
The cherry limeade cocktail is made with vodka, black cherry juice, lime juice, sweetened lime concentrate, and club soda.
This refreshing drink is served in mason jars over ice cubes, garnished with maraschino cherries and lime wedges.
Cherry Blossom
The Cherry Blossom cocktail is known for its elegant presentation and fusion of cherry liqueur with sake.
Ingredients for a Cherry Blossom cocktail include:
- 1.5 oz sake
- 1 oz cherry liqueur
- 0.5 oz Grand Marnier
- 0.25 oz grenadine
- 0.25 oz lemon juice
- Ice
- Fresh or brandied cherries for garnish.
The Cherry Blossom cocktail combines sweet and tart flavors, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.
Classic Cherry Cocktails
- Cherry cocktails are timeless drinks that continue to delight and are often associated with classic recipes.
- Popular classic cherry cocktails include the Old Fashioned and the Singapore Sling.
- Cherry cocktails can be tailored to fit seasonal flavors and occasions, enhancing their appeal throughout the year.
- The Sour Cherry Negroni offers a unique blend of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors, making it a distinctive cherry cocktail choice.
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail known for its simplicity and depth of flavor, where fresh cherries can add a delightful twist.
- The first step in making an Old Fashioned cocktail is to muddle an orange slice at the bottom of a rocks glass. After muddling the orange, add a big ice cube, a maraschino cherry, bitters, and whiskey to the glass.
Singapore Sling
The traditional Singapore Sling is made by blending gin, cherry liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Mix the ingredients with sparkling water and serve over ice. Garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry for added flavor and presentation.
Check out this additional cherry juice cocktail and mocktail recipes
Modern Cherry Cocktails
Modern cherry cocktails are innovative drinks that bring exciting flavors to the cocktail scene. Modern cherry cocktails often incorporate fresh cherry juice and liqueurs to enhance flavor. The Sour Cherry French 75 cocktail consists of Bulldog Gin, fresh lemon juice, sour cherry syrup, Prosecco, and is garnished with maraschino cherries or a lemon twist.
Cherry Margarita
Muddle cherries and lime juice, add tequila, cherry liqueur, simple syrup, and ice; shake and serve. Fresh cherries, lime juice, tequila, cherry liqueur, simple syrup, and ice are used in the Cherry Margarita. A variation of the margarita can be made using smoky mezcal combined with cherry puree for added depth.
Cherry Whiskey Sour
The ingredients for Cherry Whiskey Sour include fresh diced cherries, simple syrup, lime juice, and whiskey. The cherries should macerate in the syrup for 30 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a cocktail glass over ice, and serve immediately.
Cherry Negroni
The ingredients for a Cherry Negroni include Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Vermouth, tart cherry juice, and simple syrup.
- To prepare a Cherry Negroni, shake the ingredients with ice, strain into a glass, and garnish with an orange peel.
Creative Cherry Garnishes
Cherries are often featured in both sweet and tart cocktails, making them versatile for various flavor profiles. Many classic cocktails use cherries not just as a garnish but also as a key flavor component. Cherries are often used in cocktails not just for their taste but also for their visual appeal as a garnish.
Download your free copy of Top 10 Summer Drinks
Maraschino Cherries vs. Luxardo Cherries
The two popular types of cherries used in cocktails are maraschino cherries and Luxardo cherries.
Luxardo cherries maintain a firmer texture and offer a richer taste than the sweeter, more artificial Maraschino cherries. Luxardo cherries are considered premium and suited for craft cocktails, while standard Maraschino cherries are often used in desserts.
Including a maraschino cherry as a garnish in the Old Fashioned adds a sweet and tart flavor that complements the whiskey.
-
The Singapore Sling is traditionally served over ice and garnished with a maraschino cherry, enhancing its presentation.
-
Luxardo cherries are often preferred for their unique flavor profile, which enhances high-end cocktails.
Sugared Cherries
Sugared cherries are commonly used as a garnish for cocktails like Champagne and fruity Martinis. To make sugared cherries at home, coat fresh cherries in sugar syrup and let them dry on a wire rack. Sugared cherries can also be made by rolling fresh cherries in granulated sugar for added sweetness.
DIY Cherry Infusions and Syrups
-
A common method for infusing vodka with cherries is to use a wide mouth glass jar to allow easier access for removing the fruit after infusion.
-
Macerating cherries in syrup for 30 minutes enhances their flavor in the Cherry Whiskey Sour.
-
The Cherry Whiskey Sour benefits from macerating fresh cherries to enhance the drink's flavor profile.
-
Using infused vodka and macerated cherries can significantly elevate the flavor of cherry-based cocktails, providing a depth and richness to the drinks.
-
Store infused vodka in a sealed container to maintain freshness, and use it as a key ingredient in various cherry cocktails.
Cherry Vodka
-
Infuse vodka with fresh pitted cherries in a mason jar for a few days.
-
Pit and blend fresh cherries with water or lemon juice, then strain to make fresh cherry juice.
-
Infused cherry vodka should have a light flavor after 2-3 days, with a stronger taste developing over a maximum of three weeks.
Cherry Syrup
-
The main ingredients in cherry syrup are sugar, water, and pitted cherries.
-
To make cherry syrup, combine sugar, water, and cherries in a saucepan and boil until dissolved.
-
Cherry syrup can last in the refrigerator for up to a month.
-
After making cherry syrup, discard the cherries.
Non-Alcoholic Cherry Drinks
-
Cherries provide a distinctive tart and sweet flavor profile in drinks.
-
Common cherry products used in non-alcoholic drinks include cherry syrups, cherry juice, and cherry-infused spirits.
-
A popular cherry mocktail is the Sleepy Girl Cherry Mocktail, known for its delightful taste.
-
Cherries can be used to garnish both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, adding visual appeal and flavor.
Cherry Juice Mocktail
-
A cherry juice mocktail recipe typically includes tart cherry juice, lemon-lime soda, and fresh cherries for garnish.
-
The combination of tart cherry juice and soda creates a balanced flavor while maintaining the drink's refreshing aspect.
Cherry Cocktails for Every Season
-
Cherry cocktails are a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of this versatile fruit throughout the year.
-
Cherry limeade is a popular summer drink that combines the sweetness of cherry juice with the tartness of lime.
-
Cherry limeade made with fresh cherries and limes offers a healthier alternative to traditional versions by reducing sugar and avoiding flavored syrups.
-
Cherry juice can be blended with lemon-lime soda for a fizzy cherry drink, enhancing its refreshing quality.
-
Sugared cherries add both sweetness and a decorative touch to drinks, making them popular for festive cocktails.
Summer Cherry Cooler
-
The Summer Cherry Cooler is ideal for hot weather, featuring a blend that emphasizes the refreshing qualities of cherry vodka and citrus.
-
The Summer Cherry Cooler combines cherry vodka with lemon juice and sparkling water for a refreshing drink ideal for hot weather.
-
The Summer Cherry Cooler is created by combining cherry vodka, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water, making it a perfect refreshing drink for warm days.
-
The Summer Cherry Cooler combines cherry vodka, lemon juice, and sparkling water, creating a vibrant, refreshing drink ideal for hot weather.
Winter Cherry Mulled Wine
-
Winter Cherry Mulled Wine combines the rich flavors of red wine and cherry juice, enhanced by warming spices perfect for chilly evenings.
-
Winter Cherry Mulled Wine incorporates cherry juice with red wine and spices, creating a warm beverage perfect for cold seasons.
-
Winter Cherry Mulled Wine is made by simmering red wine with cherry juice and mulling spices, creating a warming beverage.
-
Winter Cherry Mulled Wine involves simmering red wine with cherry juice and spices, providing a warming beverage ideal for colder months.
Essential Tools for Making Cherry Cocktails
-
Using a combination of cherries and citrus peel can enhance the visual appeal of cocktails.
-
A cocktail shaker is crucial for efficiently mixing and chilling cocktail ingredients.
-
Cherry garnishes can enhance the visual appeal and flavor profile of various cocktails.
-
The process of creating sugared cherries involves coating them in syrup and allowing them to dry, which enhances their flavor and appearance.
-
Combining effective tools and beautiful garnishes is essential for crafting memorable cherry cocktails.
Cocktail Shaker
-
Using a cocktail shaker allows for better dilution of ingredients, enhancing the overall flavor of the drink.
-
A quality shaker helps in achieving a uniform mixture of ingredients, which is essential for balanced flavors in cocktails.
-
A cocktail shaker is crucial for ensuring that ingredients are well combined and chilled.
-
A quality shaker is essential for effectively combining ingredients and chilling cocktails.
Muddler
-
Muddling is essential for releasing the rich flavors of fresh cherries, enhancing the overall taste of cocktails.
-
Cocktails like the Bourbon Cherry Cocktail and Cherry Margarita utilize muddling techniques to blend the sweet and tart notes of fresh cherries.
-
A quality muddler is a vital tool for any cocktail enthusiast, allowing for better extraction of flavors compared to using other methods.
Jigger
-
A jigger is essential for precise measurement of ingredients, ensuring a balanced and consistent cocktail.
-
A jigger allows for accurate measurement of liquids, ensuring balanced flavors in cocktails.
-
Accurate measurements with a jigger help maintain the integrity of cocktail recipes, ensuring great taste and consistency.
Resources:
