Fresh cherries are perfect for pie filling, but make an excellent cherry vodka cocktail too. I’m all about a fruity drink and this cherry cosmopolitan inspired spirit is perfect for a summer happy hour by the water. Flavored with fresh sweet red cherries, a lemon hibiscus simple syrup, triple sec, vodka, and sparkling rosé.
This Recipe is Sponsored by Starr Ranch Growers. All thoughts and text are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that help make Two Cups Flour possible.
To create this summer cherry cocktail recipe , I partnered with Starr Ranch Growers to showcase their delicious sweet dark cherries. Grown in the Pacific Northwest these sweet cherries are bursting with flavor. Ripe between June and August, these cherries are easily muddled to release lots if juice for your cocktail.
Offering fresh quality fruit since 1934, Starr Ranch Growers takes pride in growing, packing, and shipping to your home. Orchards owned by passionate farming families ensures that the cherries you purchase are the best in premium fruit.
What You’ll Need for a Cherry Vodka Cocktail
- fresh Starr Ranch Growers dark sweet cherries
- homemade hibiscus simple syrup
- triple sec
- vodka
- sparkling rosé or sparkling lemonade
- muddler
- cocktail shaker
- ice
- martini glasses
Hibiscus Simple Syrup
A must have for any cocktail enthusiast are simple syrups. Easy to make by simmering water, sugar, and whichever flavor your taste buds desire. The combo of a light floral somewhat tangy hibiscus profile with the citrus of lemon zest is a great pairing for fresh cherries.
All you need are some dried hibiscus flower petals, fresh lemon zest, water and granulated sugar. Dried hibiscus flowers are sold at most speciality grocery stores or you can order some online. Once you’ve simmered the syrup and allowed it to cool, it can be stored in the fridge for up to a month and added to all of your favorite cocktails and drinks.
Cherry Cosmopolitan
What goes into a cosmo cocktail? A cosmopolitan usually consists of cranberry juice, lime juice, vodka and triple sec. This cherry twist is also served chilled in a martini glass. Instead of using cranberry juice, the muddled fresh red cherries adds a wonderful summer inspired mixture.
Ingredients
Hibiscus Simple Syrup
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ dried hibiscus flowers
- zest of one lemon
Cherry Vodka Cocktail
- 10 fresh Starr Ranch Growers dark red cherries
- ½ ounce hibiscus syrup
- 4 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 2 ounces sparkling rosé or lemonade
- ice as needed
Instructions
Hibiscus Simple Syrup
- Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan on medium heat until sugar has dissolved.
- Add lemon zest and hibiscus petals, then turn heat down to a simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain syrup into heat proof container or glass mason jar with lid. Refrigerate to cool.
Cherry Vodka Cocktail
- Place cherries in the bottom of a shaker and press down with a muddler to release all the cherry juices.
- Fill the shaker halfway with glass.
- Add simple syrup, vodka, and triple sec.
- Place cap on the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain into two martini glasses.
- Top each glass with one ounce of chilled rosé or swap it for lemonade if you prefer.
- Garnish glass with a couple cherries and enjoy!