For years, Peter and I have been making our infamous Sour Cherry Vodka, which is ready just around Christmas time.
It's Perfect for the holidays to be enjoyed by our Family + Friends {and us of course!}
And boy does it get enjoyed.
We pick the cherries fresh off of Peter's grandfathers cherry trees, and there's just something about this late summer tradition that slowly starts to get me in the mood for all the activities close at hand {you know what I'm talking about?....CHRISTMAS activities!!}.
So the other day, when I was sick of staring at our massive box of cherries that was just sitting there, I decided that it was time to create our special brew.
And the trick to this delicious nectar is just to leave it alone.
Seriously, it's that simple {or hard depending on how you look at it, because just having it around makes me salivate. mmmm. mmmm.}
So yes, the trick is to just leave it alone. The longer it sits, the better it gets.
Absolutely Perfect for Christmas!!
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| A Box of Deliciousness! |
Sour Cherry Vodka
Ingredients:
Bottle of cheap vodka
Fresh {or frozen} Sour Cherries
1/4 cup sugar {optional, we don't use it though}
Preparation:
1. Add washed cherries to a clean jar or bottle. Make sure jar has a leak-proof lid.
2. Add sugar, if you are using it to the jar {obviously ignore this step if you're not using sugar}
3. Fill jar or bottle full with vodka.
4. Let sit for 3 months. Keep in a sunny windowsill to speed up the process.
5. Enjoy your sweet nectar, or Wrap with a pretty bow and give away as a gift at Christmas.
This is such a great idea. Where do you get your jars from to make this in?
ReplyDeleteMine where from Homesense, but Ikea has some great ones for cheap and they are very similar :)
Deletexoe
This sounds yummy!!! Do you pit the cherries first?
ReplyDeleteNo need :)
Deletexoe
It really is soooo yummy! I highly recommend this :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the jars, I actually bought them at Homesense in Canada {not sure if it's in the US or not}, but I've heard that IKEA has some for cheap. A lot of my friends have used them and recommend those.
As for the cherries, no I don't pit them, I literally wash them and toss them in the jar. Then add the vodka, and let it sit for a couple of months! Delish!!
I got some really cute jars that are really similar to the ones above at thecontainerstore.com when I made the Cranberry-Lime Vodka. :) I'm trying the Sour Cherry Vodka now!
ReplyDeleteBrittany - I personally like the sour cherry WAY better than the cranberry lime! Hope you enjoy!!! xoE
DeleteDo you poke holes in the cherrys like you do the cranberries? I am going to make cherry sour and also cherry lime (makes me think of cherry limeaid from Sonic) What a great gift idea and the colors are great. We make blueberry vodka in the summer and mix with lemonade. Thank you for the great idea's!
DeleteNo need. The cherry skin in much softer than the cranberries so the juice comes out naturally.
DeleteAlso, that cherry lime sounds delish! So does the blueberry vodka and lemonade. Let me know how it turns out :)
xoe
I saw the Cranberry lime Recipe on Pinterest....Looks amazing, what drink recipes do you use the Sour Cherry Vodka in?
ReplyDeleteThanks,Pam
Mix with coke/pepsi for an adult cherry cola, or you can mix it with lemonade {my favorite!} to name a couple delicious mixes.
Deletexoe
Does the fruit need to be removed after 3 months?
ReplyDeleteNope, just use the liquid from them though.
Deletexoe
If you use frozen sour cherries (I can't seem to find fresh), do you need to let them defrost first?
ReplyDeleteI would probably let them defrost first as frozen cherries can hold a lot of water and it may dilute the vodka mixture. I usually use fresh from my grandfathers cherry tree so I'm not really the expert on this one. I'm sure it'll be very delicious either way!
DeleteGood luck,
xoe
where do you find soour cherries?
ReplyDeleteThey can be fresh from your grocery/surpermarket [and any farmers markets} around august. If you can't find them, try the frozen section where they will have them for sure.
DeleteGood Luck,
xoe
The last two questions are the same questions I have.
ReplyDeleteDo you need to let it infuse for 3 months? I want to make the sour cheery vodka for christmas presents by I am only a month and a half out. Would that be enough time?
ReplyDeleteOh, that is plenty of time. The longer it sits, the sweeter it'll be though.
Deletexoe
Looks like you fill the jars about half way with the cherries and then add the vodka. Is that correct?
ReplyDeleteNope, I fill them up all the way with the cherries, then add the vodka :)
Deletexoe
Okay, our sour cherries just came in for the first time since buying our house and I am so excited to try this!! Also a little in love with you for sharing:) gonna add vanilla beans.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm a little in love with you for the idea of adding vanilla beans ;)
DeleteSounds delicious! That will def be in my next batch! Thank you!
xoe
Does this need to be refrigerated when complete?
ReplyDeleteNo, we don't refrigerate ours. Just leave it in a sealed container.
Deletexoe
could i make this with regular sweet cherries? if i did, and used the sugar, would it be ready for xmas? thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, I absolutely think regular cherries would work, but I would either leave out the sugar or use less. Regular cherries are slightly sweeter than sour cherries, is my thought process.
DeleteGood luck! I hope they turn out awesome.
xoe
I've made flavored "moonshine" and after pouring and canning I have to keep it in a cool/dark area.
ReplyDeletedo you really keep vodka in the front of the window to heat up? just wanted to double check before I try a new project!
Yes, we actually do :)
DeleteIt speeds up the process, so the vodka really takes on the cherry flavours! Just make sure the bottle is sealed so no additional air seeps in.
Good luck! Hope you love it as much as we do over here.
xoe
I was just curious, how many bottles of vodka do you use and how many do you get out of the recipe in return? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI usually buy 26oz. bottle of vodka and get 3 - 3 1/2 bottles filled with the cherries out of that.
Deletexoe
Can you reuse the bottle afterwards? Are the cherries easy to get out?
ReplyDeleteYes, I always reuse my bottles year after year The cherries have never been a problem to get out for us. Sometimes you just have to give them a little shake if they try to stick together, but I don't think you'll have a problem.
Deletexoe
if you use mason jars, would you use a hot water bath, or pressure canner for sealing?
ReplyDeleteI am going to do this with coconut rum and serve over ice with cranberry juice this fall. Pretty for Christmas gifts as well. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen the vodka is gone...the cherries make a great pie!!
ReplyDeleteWhat size bottles do you use?
ReplyDelete