The Cherry Bourbon Fizz

Good Evening, Thirsty Readers. Tonight's delightful libation was inspired by a two pound bag of Bing Cherries I picked up today at Bloomingfoods. As is my custom with cherries, I make myself into a complete pig immediately upon the getting the cherries home.  I'm not terribly proud of my gluttony, but I will continue to eat cherries in season until my stomach hurts. After I pitted and ate a rather large bowl at a rapid pace (fear not - I wouldn't do this in public), I began to ponder what kind of drink I could make using these beautiful red cherries. I also began to wonder whether I would need to eat dinner, so full was I of cherries.

To find a recipe, I went, of course, to the Oracle, otherwise known as Google. After perusing several seemingly worthy options, I came upon a promising looking recipe for The Cherry Bourbon Fizz on a really groovy food blog called Bowen Appetit.  If I lived in Madison like Bowen does,  I would make her be friends with me.  I'd  show up at her house all the time to eat and drink what she makes. When time allows, I'm going to try out a few more of her recipes.

But, back to the drink. I made a couple of minor changes to the recipe to punch up the cherry flavor. I also added my beloved Regans' Orange Bitters No. 6  to the mix, because just about every drink benefits from at least a dash or two of bitters . If you do not have a bottle of this particular one in your pantry, procure it immediately. I am not kidding. Do. It. Now. Big Red near Kroger on the east side carries it (if you live in Bloomington.) Otherwise, you can find it on a number of different sites on line. It makes most drinks sing.  You'll wonder how you ever lived without bitters. You're Welcome.

The Cherry Bourbon Fizz is a deliciously flavorful, easy-to-drink summer cocktail. And bonus, it is pretty simple to make. If you prefer a boozier cocktail, go ahead and bump up the Bourbon to 1 3/4 to 2 ounces. My taster did this and was quite pleased with the result.

A must have. (Did I mention this is a must have?)

Here is a picture of the beautiful cocktail. Who needs artificial colors when nature is this good to us?

What the camera didn't capture was a lovely transparent quality to the drink. Gorgeous!

The Cherry Bourbon Fizz

5  juicy Bing Cherries (Bowen says you can use other kinds if you want)

1-2 tsp. granulated sugar (I used 1.5 and thought it was perfect)

1 1/2 ounces Bourbon (I used Wild Turkey Bourbon)

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1-2 dashes of Regans' Orange Bitters No. 6

Splash of soda (I used soda in my taster's drink and Q Tonic in my own. Both were very good)

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 4 cherries with the sugar and the bitters. (Marvel at the stunning color while you do.) Fill the shaker half way with ice. Add Bourbon and lime juice and shake until chilled. Double strain into a cocktail glass. Gently splash in a little soda or tonic and give it a little stir. Garnish with the remaining cherry and a lime wedge or twist. 

OR, you can strain it into an old-fashioned glass with a few ice cubes. 

Until next time, Thirsty Ones, Cheers!