Cherries are just coming into season, and Spec’s has a full range of liquors and mixers that’ll showcase the sweet-tart character of cherry flavors perfectly. Here are a few recipes that use the juicy fruit as a primary component for a cocktail that celebrates cherries right!
Cherry Cocoloco
2 oz tart cherry juice
4 oz coconut water
2 oz club soda
1 1/2 oz vodka
Combine the cherry juice, coconut water, and vodka in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until blended, then strain into a tall tumbler filled with fresh ice. Top with club soda.
Bringing Up Basil
3 – 5 fresh cherries
1 – 2 basil leaves
1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
2 oz soda water
Muddle cherries and basil in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice and shake until blended. Strain into a tall glass, add fresh ice, and top with soda water. Garnish with lemon wedge, cherry and/or a basil leaf.
Sunset Fizz
1 peeled orange section
1 1/2 oz gin
1 oz sweet cherry juice
1 1/2 tsp simple syrup
2 dashes bitters
Sparkling wine
Orange twist for garnish
Mash the orange section in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice. Add the gin, cherry juice, simple syrup, and bitters; shake well. Strain into a martini glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with orange twist.
Cherry Sake Smash
1/3 cup dark sweet cherries
2 shots sake
Ginger ale
Muddle cherries in a tall glass, then add sake and stir to blend. Top with plenty of ice. Add sake, stir again to blend, and top with ginger ale.
