Product Reviews / Main Nibbles / Cocktails

Sophisticated Cherry Cocktails

Bottoms Up With High-Antioxidant Tart Cherry Juice

Cocktail Recipes Barware From Chefs Catalog Review Of Tart Is Smart Cherry Juice A Nibble Top Pick Of The Week

One of the healthiest juices you can drink is tart cherry juice. Sometimes called a superfruit,* tart cherries (also called sour cherries and Morello cherries) have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, as compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries), fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium and vitamins C and E. A growing body of scientific research links cherries to health benefits, from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also have been found to help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process. You can read more about the fruit at the website of the Cherry Marketing Institute, ChooseCherries.com.

*A superfruit is one that has a high antioxidant level as well as nutritional density. Others include açaí, blueberry, cranberry, grape, guarana, mangosteen, noni and pomegranate.

Most of us are acquainted with the fun side of cherries: cherry pie, ice cream, yogurt and other delights. Now consider the cherry cocktail. These bright red cocktails are also perfect for red-themed holidays like Independence Day, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Red Eye Mojito

Cherries, which grow in cooler climates, don’t grow in the sub-tropics. So our two cherry cocktails are fusion drinks. Here, the classic Cuban Mojito goes from pale to bright red with tart cherry juice—while keeping its famous minty rum flavor profile.

Ingredients Per Cocktail

• 2-1/2 teaspoons superfine granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons tart cherry juice
• 12 mint leaves
• Squeeze of fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce white rum
• 1/2 cup club soda
• Ice
   

Preparation Place 6 mint leaves in a tall glass. Crush mint leaves with a muddler, or with the back of a spoon.  Add sugar, tart cherry juice, lime juice, white rum and ice. Mix well. Finish the drink with club soda and remaining mint leaves. Stir to combine and serve. Red Alert Here, the temperate zone meets the tropics in a cherry-coconut fusion. To make them red, white and blue, add skewers of blueberries alternating with small chunks of fresh coconut. This cocktail can be served as an alcohol-free drink by eliminating the vodka. Ingredients Per Cocktail

Guests who prefer alcohol-free drinks can enjoy a glass of cherry juice straight, or with soda.

• 2 ounces tart cherry juice
• 4 ounces coconut water (such as O.N.E. or Zico)
• 2 ounces club soda
• 1 ounce vodka

Preparation

1. Pour ingredients into one 8-ounce glass.
2. Stir to combine and serve. 

Barware From Chefs Catalog

Make your kitchen and cocktail parties shine with these winners from Chefs Catalog:

Wine Decanter, Vacuum Stopper and Wine Preserver. Wow, we couldn’t wait to order one of these. Now you can keep the wine in the decanter perfectly preserved until you’re ready for more. $79.99.	Margarita Glasses. If margaritas are your passion, treat yourself to these graceful glasses. Use them to serve cosmos, daiquiris and desserts like panna cotta, fruit salad and compotes, too. $39.99.	Flip-Top Cocktail and Martini Shaker. Shaking a cocktail was never easier with this patented, all-in-one flip-top cocktail shaker and strainer. Dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty on all moving parts. $29.99.