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Cherry and lemon go hand-in-hand to create this perfect sweet and sour summery beverage best enjoyed in the sunshine.
Sweet and simple.
In the summer I could eat and drink everything cherry flavoured. But when I don’t have fresh summer cherries on hand, and I’m craving that sweet fruit, I make this easy cocktail. It has a burst of cherry thanks to both cherry brandy and cherry bitters. With the addition of lemon juice it has that perfect sour cherry flavour that you won’t be able to get enough of.
Simple syrup is a staple.
The reason I use simple syrup in cold drinks is that the sugar has already been dissolved so you don’t have to worry about your drink having granules of sugar floating around. I always have a small jar of simple syrup in my fridge. It can be used in so many different ways. Some common ways I use it is in cocktails, iced coffee, and to soak cake layers. To make simple syrup, take equal parts water and sugar and either microwave for 1-2 minutes stirring halfway or combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and boil just until sugar is dissolved. Done!
Check out the video below for a tutorial on how to make this sour cherry cocktail:
Sour Cherry Bourbon Sparkler
Ingredients
Cocktail
- 1½ oz bourbon
- ½ oz cherry brandy
- ½ oz simple syrup recipe below
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 5 dashes cherry bitters
- ice
- soda water for topping
- lemon slice for garnish
Simple Syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup: place sugar and water in a measuring cup. Place in the microwave and heat for 1 minute. Stir syrup and microwave for 1 more minute. Stir again until sugar is dissolved and set aside to cool. Alternatively, you can combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat until the sugar has dissolved.
- To make the cocktail: to a glass add the bourbon, cherry brandy, simple syrup, lemon juice and bitters.
- Stir to combine then add ice and top with soda water.
- Garnish with a lemon slice.
