Recipes
4 Fruity Cocktails to Make this Cherry Season
Add a bounty of cherries to your next patio sip!
It’s cherry season! There’s hardly anything that gets us in the summer mood more than the sweet taste of cherries, which is why we’re sharing a few cocktails that put these beloved fruits in the spotlight. These recipes will be the cherry on top of any sunny day!
Jump to the recipes ahead!
Cherry Elderflower Rose G&T
We’re already sipping G&Ts on repeat this summer, so why not give this iconic duo an extra fruity pop while we’re at it? @the.boozy.ginger adds a splash of cherry syrup for a sweet dimension that pairs wonderfully with the florals in our Empress Elderflower Rose Gin!
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ½ oz Cherry Syrup*
- 3 oz Tonic Water
- Cherry & Edible Flower, to garnish
METHOD
In a glass filled with ice, add Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, cherry syrup, and top with tonic water. Garnish with a cherry and edible flower & enjoy!
*To make the cherry syrup, add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries to a saucepan and bring to a medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for an additional 2-5 minutes. Allow to cool before straining into an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Cherry Impression
For an even bigger hit of cherry, give this vibrant stunner by @drink.loving.couple a try! We love how the Cherry Impression expresses the fruit in two different ways: the juice being more tart and fresh, and the liqueur being sweeter and full-bodied.
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Fresh Cherry Juice
- ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- ¼ oz Cherry Liqueur
METHOD
Shake all ingredients over ice, strain into a chilled coupe glass, and garnish with a cherry. Enjoy!
Creamy Cherry Limeade
Need a decadent summer dessert? Look no further than this blended treat by @afullliving! Rich sweetness from the condensed milk sings beautifully with cherries and lime to make for an irresistible serve. As the recipe serves 4, go ahead and make this for your next summer party!
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 cup Fresh Lime Juice
- Whole Lime, quartered
- 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 16 oz Frozen Sweet Cherries
- 4 cups Ice
METHOD
Add the lime juice and a whole lime to the bottom of a high-speed blender. Add Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, along with the sweetened condensed milk. Pour in the frozen cherries, followed by the ice, and blend until smooth and creamy. Garnish with lime slices, cherries, and fresh mint. Enjoy!
Cherry Pink Pepper Bramble
Brambles are always a hit during the hotter season with their refreshing and juicy flavours, so this cherry twist by @jfdesfosses is a no-brainer! In addition to the divine combo of florals and fruit, pink peppercorns offer a hint of sharp spice that elevate the complexity in this cocktail.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- ½ oz Cherry Pink Peppercorn Liqueur*, to float
- Rose Bud, for garnish
METHOD
Shake gin, lemon, and syrup with ice. Strain into rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Float with cherry pink peppercorn liqueur. Garnish with a cherry and lemon slices.
*To make the liqueur, add 500g fresh pitted cherries, 20g crushed blanched almonds, 2 tsp pink peppercorns, and 500 ml vodka to a sous-vide bag and seal. Cook in a hot water bath at 65 °C (149 °F) for 2 hours. Chill the bag quickly in an ice bath. Strain through cheesecloth, then a coffee filter for clarity. For every 450 ml of strained liquid, add 150g sugar and 3 oz Amarena cherry syrup (from the jar). Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bottle it up.
Is it any wonder cherries are such a summer staple? Between their endless versatility and bright burst of flavour, they’re just so satisfying this time of year, especially when paired with any of our gins. Let us know which of these recipes you’ll be enjoying this season by tagging us at @empress1908gin in your reshakes on Instagram!
For more cocktail inspiration, be sure to check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
