Recipe

Crushed cherry cocktail or cordial

This sweet and refreshing crushed cherry drink can be enjoyed on it's own as a beautiful cordial or with an added punch to create a delicious cocktail. Delicious and uplifting, it's perfect for warmer Summer evenings.

May 31, 2015 2:00pm
  • 20 mins preparation
  • 30 mins cooking
  • Serves 20
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Ingredients

Crushed cherry cocktail or cordial
  • 1 kilogram frozen cherries, thawed
  • 1.32 kilogram (6 cups) caster (superfine) sugar
  • 1.25 litre (5 cups) water
  • 750 millilitre bottle rosé wine or white shiraz
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • 2 vanilla beans, split sideways, seeds scraped
  • 1 medium lemon (240g), rind removed in wide strips
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) lemon juice
  • 5 x 750ml bottles sparkling wine or soda water, chilled
  • ice cubes, to serve

Method

Crushed cherry cocktail or cordial
  • 1
    Combine cherries, sugar, water, wine, bay leaves, vanilla beans and seeds, and rind in a large saucepan. Stir over medium heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer 30 minutes, crushing cherries occasionally with a potato masher. Cool. Cover; refrigerate overnight.
  • 2
    Strain mixture, reserving cherries, vanilla beans and rind. Stir in juice.
  • 3
    To serve, either pour 1/4 cup cherry syrup into Champagne flutes, add a few reserved cherries and top with sparking wine. Or, pour syrup into a large jug, top with ice, some reserved cherries, vanilla beans and rind; top with soda water.

Notes

Recipe can be made 1 week ahead.

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