Four Cherry Cocktails for Summer

Cherry season won’t be around much longer, and our Bing Cherries are going fast! If you still have more Bing Cherries on hand than you can eat (ha!), are tired of cherry pie and cherry cobbler (as if!) and in search of other cherry tips you can try to use up your stash (hey, it could happen!), try one of our cherry drinks below. (Not for the kiddos…these cherry cocktails are summer drinks for adults only!) The great thing about these recipes is that you can freeze your leftover cherries and make them all year long.

Note: except where indicated, most of these recipes make one serving, but can easily be doubled.

1. Cherry Punch

Expecting guests to a summer barbecue? This sweet-and-sour cherry punch is sure to make a splash. For garnish, thread whole cherries, summer berries and melon balls on skewers to stick in each glass. Pretty, easy and delicious!

Ingredients:
2 lbs. Pittman & Davis Bing Cherries, washed with stems and pits removed
¾ c. sugar
1 c. lemon juice
1 750ml bottle of brandy
1 c. Merlot
18 drops bitters
Sparkling water

Directions:
Place cherries, lemon juice and sugar in the bottom of a large pitcher or jar that holds at least 10 cups of liquid. Muddle cherries until finely mashed. Add brandy, merlot and bitters; stir. Refrigerate from four hours to overnight. Strain mixture with a Hawthorne strainer. Serve straight up in 10 oz. glasses with a generous splash of sparkling water.

2. Cherry Bomb Cocktail

What would Independence Day be without cherry bombs? This cocktail version made with brandy is both refreshing and delicious, featuring a bright red hue worthy of the Stars and Stripes and a flavor that practically explodes over your taste buds.

Ingredients:
5 Pittman & Davis Bing Cherries, washed with stems and pits removed
½ lemon, cut into wedges
2½ oz. bourbon
1 T. maple syrup

Directions:
Slice cherries into halves or quarters. Place cherries pieces and lemon wedges into a shaker. Muddle cherries and lemon wedges until juices are released. Add bourbon and maple syrup. Add ice and shake thoroughly. Strain into glasses filled with ice.

3. Cherry Margarita

Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo, this cherry-flavored margarita is sure to bright up your Mexican fare. Lime-flavored sea salt around the rim of your glass adds tanginess and keeps this fruity drink from being too sweet. Just be careful – it’s refreshing and delicious, but potent thanks to a generous serving of tequila under the bold flavors!

Ingredients:
7 Pittman & Davis Bing Cherries, washed with stems and pits removed
1 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
2 oz. tequila
1 oz. cherry liqueur
1 oz. simple syrup
Coarse sea salt
1 slice lime, for garnish

Directions:
• Place six cherries and lime juice in a shaker. Muddle cherries until broken down. Add tequila, cherry liqueur, simple syrup and ice. Shake vigorously (about 30 seconds).
• Run a lime slice along rim of serving glass, swirl in sea salt on a plate; add ice. Strain cocktail into serving glass, garnish with remaining cherry and slice of lime, and serve.

4. Cherry Old-Fashioned

Cherry and bourbon go together quite naturally, making this cocktail a lovely twist on the traditional old-fashioned (the rosy color helps). This recipe allows the old-fashioned to retain its citrusy flavor, but the cherries and honey add a sweet-tart element you’re sure to love.

Ingredients:
6 Pittman & Davis Bing Cherries, washed with stems and pits removed
½ oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
⅛ tsp. orange bitters
1½ Tbsp. honey
2 oz. bourbon
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Directions:
Place five cherries, lime juice bitters and honey in a shaker. Muddle cherries until finely mashed. Add bourbon and shake vigorously to combine (about 30 seconds). Pour through strainer into a cocktail glass filled with ice, garnish with remaining cherry and fresh mint leaves and serve.