As soon as the summer kicks in I start thinking about drinks, ice cream, and new recipes for summer.

I am not a big alcohol drinker, other than an occasional good glass of wine. I love red wine and of course a good rosé. 

As you probably already know I love, love cherries. Especially the dark ones in the middle of summer. I find them juicier and sweeter. Beautiful addicting little bites!

I have been wanting to make different things with them. But particularly a cherry sauce since I made the cherry galette last year. I thought cherry sauce will be fantastic with a selva negra (Black Forest) dessert which I am still working on, drinks, and also ice cream!

I also love citrus fresca so the combination of cherries and fresca for the drink was like a match made in heaven.

The sweetness of the cherry sauce, mixed with lots of ice, and a big splash of the citrus refreshing fresca with a sprig of fresh lemony thyme make this drink a great cool-down option for you and the family.

If you are in the mood for a cocktail then by all means add a hint (or more) of vodka. That’s what we did and we loved it!

The cherry sauce turned out delicious and it is also incredible with so many different things. I added a hint of vanilla and bourbon (which is totally optional) and it complements the cherry flavor amazingly. My recipe makes about 16 ounces since I am planning on using the sauce to make frozen yogurt popsicles as well but you can perfectly reduce the recipe in half. I am sure you will still have leftover sauce to use on ice cream or milkshakes, pancakes, toast and so on, endless possibilities!

Here is the recipe. Salud!

Fresh Cherry Coolers

Serves 2 (12oz) glasses

Ingredients

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8-10 oz of citrus fresca

1-1.5 oz of fresh cherry sauce (recipe below)

1 oz of vodka (optiona)

Crushed ice

Cherry Sauce (makes about 15-16 oz)

3 cups of fresh or frozen cherries (I used fresh), pitted

1/3 cup of granulated Truvia, or sugar

2 tbs of fresh lemon juice

1 tsp of vanilla extract

1-2 tsp of water – depending on the desired consistency

1-2  tsp of bourbon (optional and to taste)

Fresh thyme for garnishing (optional)

 

Instructions

Wash and pit the cherries. Place the lemon juice, water, Truvia or sugar, bourbon (if using) and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Stir and add the cherries, start cooking them uncovered at medium-low for about 7 minutes.  Stir until the mixture starts to thicken and cherries are tender. Using a potato smasher or a immersion blender smash cherries until you obtain the desired consistency. You may need to add more water (or bourbon) in order to get a smoother and runnier consistency.

Remove from heat and set aside until it cools down.

Place the cherry sauce on the bottom of the glass and add the crushed ice (I like to fill the glass with ice to the top). Pour the fresca and add vodka (if using). Garnish with a couple of sprigs of thyme.

 

Notes