Fresh Cherry Cocktails: Cherry Lemon Spritzer and Cherry Moscow Mule
We think it’s high time for a cocktail, or a mocktail! This week we’ve got the sweetest, juiciest fresh cherries that deserve some time in the limelight. If you received cherries in your PIP delivery you’ll likely be tempted to devour them by the handful, but we’re suggesting you save some to muddle and mash into a refreshing summer beverage. Both of these cocktails easily become mocktails – simply skip the alcohol, no replacements necessary. They will be just as delicious and refreshing without the booze.
If you don’t have a cherry pitter you can remove the pits by either lightly smashing them with the side of a chef’s knife (this can get messy so grab an apron!) or by inserting a chopstick into the stem end to make a hole, then gently squeezing out the pit.
We're sharing recipes for Cherry Lemon Spritzer and Fresh Cherry Moscow Mule, but the beverage possibilities are endless! These cherries would be divine paired with peaches in sangria, mashed with mint in mojitos, or mixed into the ultimate fresh cherry Manhattan!
Cherry Lemon Spritzer
Cherry and lemon pair perfectly in this effervescent summer sipper. Easy to make, easy to drink, it’s the ultimate backyard patio beverage. Lemon-essence carbonated water works well to top this off, as does plain club soda.
Ingredients:
½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
5-6 fresh Perfectly Imperfect cherries, pitted
½ tablespoon sugar, agave or honey (optional)
1 ½ - 2 ounces vodka, clear tequila or bourbon
Ice
Club soda or lemon sparkling water
Extra cherries and lemon wedge to garnish
Directions:
In the bottom of a rocks glass, muddle together the lemon juice, cherries, and sweetener until cherries are well-mashed. Add the vodka, tequila or bourbon and stir to mix. Fill the glass with ice and top with club soda or sparkling water. Give it a good stir before enjoying.
To make a strained cocktail, muddle the lemon juice, cherries, and sweetener in a shaker. Add liquor and ice and shake well. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with club soda or sparkling water.
Fresh Cherry Moscow Mule
We’re putting a summer spin on the classic mule with fresh muddled cherries. Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic beverage that can be found near the other mixers in your local grocery store. It has a stronger ginger flavor than ginger ale, though that can be substituted if necessary.
Ingredients:
½ ounce (1 tablespoon) Perfectly Imperfect lime juice
6-8 fresh Perfectly Imperfect cherries, pitted
1 ½ - 2 ounces vodka
1 cup ice
4 ounces ginger beer
Extra cherries, lime wedge and fresh mint to garnish
Directions:
In the bottom of a copper mug (or rocks glass), muddle together the lime juice and cherries until cherries are well-mashed. Add the vodka and stir to mix. Add ice, top with ginger beer and garnish if desired. Give it a good stir before enjoying.
We can't wait to see what you're shaking, stirring and sipping this week! Show us how you're using these beautiful cherries and all of this week's produce in your own kitchen and we'll share it to inspire others. Tag us @perfectlyimperfectproduce on Facebook and Instagram.
