A couple of weeks ago I asked folks on Twitter, ‘What should I do next; orange or cherry liqueur?’ The resounding response was for cherry so I went on a Google journey to find the best method for making it as it’s not something I’ve done before. I found several versions and I’m sure they are all great but the one thing I just could not handle? SIX MONTHS? My impatient self struggled with waiting one month for Limoncello yet knew that I still shared that recipe in time for readers and friends to make something to enjoy this summer. It just seemed impossible to consider that I would share the process of making cherry liqueur and say, ‘See you in 6 months for a cocktail.’ So I punted.
I recalled seeing Matt Armendariz make a Cherry Sidecar using fresh cherries and brandy and at the time I wasn’t interested in waiting 5 days but I thought I could handle that now; especially in comparison to 6 months. Matt had made a cherry/brandy liqueur to replace the traditional brandy and orange liqueur in a sidecar. This version using fresh cherries is so perfectly seasonal and the type of cocktail I love; a bit sweet and a bit tart and certainly a lot beautiful!
This was certainly my own ‘Cherrypalooza’ – the cocktail consists of a liqueur that is a combination of brandy infused cherries, a cherry syrup that is made from more fresh cherries and sugar and then garnished using the maraschino cherries I made a couple of months ago that combines cherries and Luxardo liqueur for a much more natural and tasty treat.
Matt’s version was his attempt to recreate a cocktail he enjoyed at Hatfield’s in LA. I’ve not had the Hatfield’s cocktail but I have to say, this was not just a great combination of flavors; it was also an absolutely gorgeous drink. Start now and you can have one next weekend; that’s better than waiting until Christmas for something, right? I’ve done a bit of my own revising; I like it served cold on the rocks and with a sugared rim; that little bit of sugar seemed perfect with the tart bite of the cocktail itself but it’s totally optional; sugar only if you want to!
This cocktail is filled with the flavor is fresh cherries and is just gorgeous to boot!
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved. Save some pits for the infusion.
- 1 pint bottle brandy
- 1 pound fresh sweet cherries, pitted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Sugar for the rim
- Fresh lime slices and maraschino cherries for garnish
Preparation
- Combine the pitted and halved cherries and the brandy in a container. Several recipes I read for making the cherry liqueur indicate adding some of the pits as well so I put in a couple of tablespons of them too.
- Cover and keep in a cool place for at least 5 days.
- Combine the cherries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the syrup through a strainer and remove the solids. Put into a container and store in the refrigerator.
- Rub the rim of your glass with a lime slice and dip it into sugar. Put the glasses into the refrigerator or freezer to chill.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and for each cocktail add 1 & 1/2 oz of the cherry brandy, 1/2 oz of the cherry syrup and 1/2 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Shake vigorously 10-15 times.
- Fill the chilled glasses with ice and pour the cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish with a lime slice and maraschino cherry.
Notes
Prep time includes the time to pit the cherries. I use a cherry pitter; it still takes some time but does make much quicker work of the process.
Join me every Friday for Friday Cocktail Hour when I’ll make a cocktail I love, recreate one from a local establishment or maybe just have some fun experimenting!
By the way; see that new form for my recipes?
I was honored to be asked by the folks at Ziplist to be one of their blog partners.
Now you can not only print recipes from this site but will be able to save them to a universal recipe box as well.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow that looks fabulous! How did you like the lemon drop with vanilla beans tonight? It looked scrumptious, but I didn’t try one.
Great to meet you! Hope we cross paths again soon.
Hi Daria!
I LOVED that cocktail, as a matter of fact Keegan agreed to give me the recipe so ‘hoping’ I can get it today and recreate it and feature it tomorrow on my Friday cocktails post. So wishing I had another day or two but want to feature the events next week so tomorrow would be perfect. Weren’t they all just wonderful hosts?
Absolutely gorgeous Barb!!! I love how you carried the cherry flavor throughout the cocktail!! I keep thinking this would be the perfect cocktail for 4th of July and wish I had one right now!!
Get some cherries now and get it done for the holiday; it would be perfect in a George Washington/Fourth of July sort of way. Oh and cause it’s cold and amazing!
Nice cocktail Barb – everybody should at least try the cherry brandy, it’s great in so many things! This reminds me, I have Colorado Bing Cherry Brandy from last year in the basement, hey, it’s noon somewhere!
You don’t have to convince me Mick; I’m doing a jar but this quick and dirty version sure made for a great cheery and cherry cocktail!
Barb, this looks so bright and summery – very cheering in the chilly winter weather of the southern hemisphere!
Barb, I’m a sucker for anything cherry. I love it! This looks so pretty, too, like you said. Very summery!
Okay, you are right and I am wrong and one of your fruity cocktails would get me to Denver! I love cherries and this whole concoction is stunning! Really perfect for kicking back, legs up in the summer sunshine.
I can also offer you either an Adirondack chair under an umbrella or the hammock in full shade with a pillow. I’m chuckling…I recall several years ago a couple of girlfriends and I were here having a cocktail or two and two of us ended up in that hammock swinging and I know there was a ‘wheeeee’ in there. :) You game?
Such a lovely picture! I love cherry, cherry anything! This looks wonderful and I so want to make my own maraschino cherries.
The ones I made for the holidays used a jar of cherries; now I want to do my own using fresh cherries. Seems easy enough, just simmer some pitted, sour cherries in maraschino liqueur and then cool and store in the fridge. I fear I would eat the whole thing. :)
Everytime I am here you always have a fabulous drink!! Love this. Where you ever a bar tender? You always have these creative drinks.
Thanks so much, I’m seriously glad you enjoy them. Regarding bartending? Never. I have always loved creating fun cocktails for friends so I guess this is just an extension of that love. I never did one every week though! Keeps me on my toes for sure. Already planning today what I”m doing Friday because my lavender is starting to bloom. Yes…lavender!
I love cherries and this looks just wonderful in that glass. You beauty!! It’s not cherry season down under so I might look into limoncello til cherries are here. :)
Good idea; though now I’m curious about something made combining the two in a cocktail…hmm…my work is never done! :)
love the way you’ve presented this delicious cocktail. Looks inviting. (hint, hint) :)
Want one? No hinting required! Just have to cover over. :)
Cherrypalooza?? Count me in!! Love this drink, Barb. I could use one of these right now! Gorgeous.
I knew I could count on you Kate! Actually we should have done a CherryPalooza event huh…I love anything from fresh cherries and they are so versatile. Cocktails, sauces, desserts, salads; the perfect fruit in my book.
I can see why you got such a great response for cherries… it’s that time of year. I’m loving all of these elements and I think I may have to recreate this cocktail myself. Looks rockin’
I did err in the making of this cocktail though Brian; I should have doubled the ‘stash.’ Will definitely be doing again before cherry season is over; this is a winner.
That looks fantastic and refreshing! YUM!
It is both; and with fresh fruit, such a great flavor. Love cherry season; now I have a new reason why! :)
I think cherry was a perfect choice! Cherries take me back home, in Michigan there are some amazing cherries. As a kid, when traveling around, we always stopped and got some fresh cherries sold on the side of the street in a stand! Ahhhhh…memories!!!! I have always wanted to do cherries soaked in brandy, it sounds amazing!!! Love your sidecar, perfect summer drink! Hugs, Terra
There is a local company that makes small batch whiskey and liqueurs. The ONLY place they will procure their cherries for their sour cherry liqueur is from Michagan; where they lived for a bit. Leopold Brothers…ever heard of them> SO good.
How refreshing! You are right, who doesn’t like a pink cocktail? All the sudden I am very thirsty.
How did these not get made Friday; I had all the fixins ready to go even! I’ll save one for you. :)
Gorgeous! I’ve never had a traditional Sidecar but I’m pretty sure that your Cherry Sidecar would go down nice and smooth.
So good. I put some in a water bottle for easy transport upstairs and I had to remind myself more than once…take it easy, this is a cocktail! So good. Come to visit; I’ll line up a whole bunch for you to sample my friend!
A perfect seasonal cocktail, but the WAIT. OY!
Hey this one is ONLY five days! Now 6 months…so not something I could do!