Cherry Blossom Bourbon Cocktail (with Cherry-Soaked Bourbon)
Ingredients
Cherry-Soaked Bourbon:
- 2 cups Elijah Craig bourbon (or substitute for your favorite bourbon)
- ½ cup fresh dark pitted cherries
Cherry Blossom Cocktail:
- 2-3 drops of Angostura Orange Bitters
- 2 ounces of Elijah Craig dark cherry-soaked bourbon
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice (yes, juice from those old school bright red ones!)
- 2 ounces club soda, or another unsweetened sparkling soda (not tonic water)
Instructions
Cherry-Soaked Bourbon:
1. Pour 2 cups of bourbon in a food safe glass container. There are many bourbons to choose from, but here I use Elijah Craig for it’s spicy overtones.
2. Add ½ cup fresh dark pitted cherries. Use a muddler to macerate the cherries.
3. Store in a cool dark place for at least 2 days. Stir bourbon periodically as it rests.
4. Strain and store in the refrigerator; yields 2+ cups.
Use a cheesecloth when straining.
Cherry Blossom Bourbon Cocktail:
1. In a large rocks glass, add the orange bitters.
2. Add the bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Stir well and add ice.
3. Stir in the soda.
4. Gently pour in the teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice on top of the cocktail. Watch as it settles to the bottom of the glass. Sexy, right?