Ingredients

• 2 lb fresh or thawed frozen sour cherries* (1 qt), stemmed
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 to 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups vodka (optional)
• 2 to 3 cups chilled sparkling water
• Garnish: fresh sour cherries with stems

Browse by ingredient

Instructions

1. Blend cherries (including pits) in a blender at low speed until skins have broken down enough to brightly color liquid (some of pits will be coarsely chopped). Pour through a sieve into a 2-quart pitcher, pressing on and discarding solids. Add lemon juice and sugar (to taste), stirring until sugar is dissolved.
2. Pour 3 tablespoons vodka (if using) into each of 8 tall (10-ounce) glasses filled with ice. Add 1/2 cup cherry lemonade to each and top off with sparkling water.
3. *We used IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) cherries from Friske Orchards (231-599-2604), in Charlevoix, Michigan.