Chokecherry Bounce Recipes

CHOKECHERRY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in glass jar.
• Shake every day for 30 days.
• Drain and bottle.
• This will taste very sweet at first, but if allowed to age at least six months will be nice and mellow.

CHOKECHERRY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Heat juice and sugar just until sugar dissolves. Add alcohol and mix well. Pour into bottles and allow to rest at least 1 month. Serve chilled.

CHERRY BOUNCE

Steps:

• Using the tip of a sharp knife, pierce 2 to 3 holes in each fresh cherry, then place in a large crock or jar with a tight-fitting lid. Pour in rum and stir to combine, pressing lightly on cherries to release some juices. Cover jar and let stand in a cool, dark place at least 1 week and up to 1 month.
• Strain mixture, discarding solids; pour liquid into a resealable jar or bottle. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 6 months. Serve chilled, over ice, with frozen cherries.

TO MAKE AN EXCELLENT CHERRY BOUNCE

Steps:

• 1. Pit the cherries, cut them in half, and put them in a large bowl. Using a potato masher, carefully mash the fruit to extract as much juice as possible. Strain the juice through a large fine-mesh strainer, pressing the fruit with a sturdy spoon. (You should have about 8 cups.) Reserve the mashed cherries in the freezer or refrigerator for later use. If using jarred cherries, drain the fruit and set the juice aside before halving and mashing the cherries. Add any pressed juice to the reserved jarred juice.
• 2. In a lidded 1-gallon glass jar, combine the juice with the brandy and sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Cover with the lid, and set aside in the refrigerator for 24 hours, occasionally stirring or carefully shaking the jar.
• 3. Bring 2 cups of the juice to a simmer over medium heat. Taste the sweetened juice and add more sugar, if desired. Stir in the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg. Then cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and set aside to cool to room temperature. Strain, and discard the spices.
• 4. Stir the spiced juice back into the 1-gallon glass jar with the reserved sweetened juice. Cover loosely with the lid, and set aside for at least 2 weeks before serving, occasionally shaking the jar with care.
• 5. Serve at room temperature in small cordial or wine glasses. Store the remaining cherry bounce in the refrigerator.

HOW TO MAKE CHOKECHERRY JUICE

Steps:

• Begin by removing stems and washing your chokecherries.
• Combine the chokecherries and water in a large kettle.
• Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
• Let the cherries cool; then pour them into an old, clean T-shirt or pillowcase set in a large bowl or pan. (This apparatus may then be suspended over the pan for several hours to allow as much of the juice as possible to drip out. It's ok to help the process along by squeezing the T-shirt or pillowcase. The remains (pits and pulp) can then be thrown away.)
• One pound of berries will yield approximately 1 cup of juice.

DOOR COUNTY CHERRY BOUNCE

Steps:

• Put cherries in a clean, 1-quart glass jar; add sugar. Fill the rest of the jar with vodka. Place lid on jar and shake.
• Store jar in a cool, dark area for 1 to 4 months, shaking jar occasionally.