Alcoholic Cherries Recipes

DRUNKEN CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain liquid from the jar of cherries. (Tip: reserve the liquid to use for shirley temple drinks or cocktails.)
• Pour alcohol in the jar to fill. Replace cap and soak for at least 24 hours. The longer they soak, the stronger they'll be.
• Drain the alcohol from the jar. (Tip: reserve it for cocktails!) Strain the cherries, then place them on layers of paper towels and pat dry. You want them as dry as possible before dipping to avoid ruining the chocolate. (Water and chocolate don't mix.)
• Work in batches: melt 2 ounces of chocolate in a small bowl. (I like using paper bowls for easy cleanup.) Melt according to package directions. Dip each cherry in the white chocolate, then dip in sprinkles and place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill to set. Working in batches of chocolate allows you not to waste any, plus allows for the chocolate to seize from the liquid without ruining the whole batch. Use a new bowl for each batch of chocolate you melt.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

CHERRY AND SMOKE

Steps:

• In a small heatproof bowl, combine the tea and the water, then cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir in the cherry juice, then immediately fine-strain into a snifter. Squeeze the lemon twist over the drink to express its oils, then discard. Serve warm.
• Batch for 6:
• In a medium heatproof bowl, combine 1 tablespoon tea and 2 ¼ cups water, then cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir in 2¼ cups cherry juice and immediately fine-strain into 6 snifters (or, honestly, whatever glasses you have). Squeeze lemon twists over each drink (2 will do you), then discard. Serve warm.

10 EASY CHERRY COCKTAILS

Steps:

• Select your favorite recipe.
• Organize all the required ingredients.
• Prep a cherry cocktail in 30 minutes or less!

CHERRY VODKA

Steps:

• Pit and halve the cherries. As in all vodka recipes, it is important that the flesh of the fruit be somehow exposed.
• Fill a jar with the cherries, but do not pack it. Pour the vodka on top and seal tightly. Leave in a dark place, preferably for at least 2 weeks-or up to 6 months. At the end of that time, open the jar and strain. If you have a very fine-mesh strainer, that will do. If not, use an ordinary strainer lined with a cheesecloth or even a coffee filter. Set the strainer over a large bowl, ideally one from which you'll be able to easily pour afterward. Pour the vodka mixture through the strainer and allow the fruit to sit, seeping liquid, for a good hour or so, stirring a bit and pressing if need be to make the liquid go through.
• Now taste the vodka. Add sugar if you want an after-dinner liqueur, or leave it out if you want something sharper. Pour (or ladle) into a decorative bottle.