Sparkling Sour Cherry Aperitivo

Serves: 6

Lacy Volkman

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

51

Sweetness

48

Sourness

40

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Sugar

Directions:

1

For sour cherry syrup: Purée one 24-oucne jar sour cherries in light syrup (with syrup) in a blender until smooth

2

Strain into a medium bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible

3

Bring cherry mixture and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar; reduce heat and simmer, occasionally skimming any foam from surface, until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 20-30 minutes

4

Let cool

5

Mix in 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

6

Cover; chill until cold, about 2 hours

7

DO AHEAD: Syrup can be made 1 month ahead

8

Keep chilled

9

Purée one 24-oucne jar sour cherries in light syrup (with syrup) in a blender until smooth

10

Strain into a medium bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible

11

Bring cherry mixture and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar; reduce heat and simmer, occasionally skimming any foam from surface, until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 20-30 minutes

12

Let cool

13

Mix in 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

14

Cover; chill until cold, about 2 hours

15

DO AHEAD: Syrup can be made 1 month ahead

16

Keep chilled

17

For cocktails: Divide 3 tablespoons chilled sour cherry syrup among 6 glasses

18

Top off syrup with one 750-milliliter bottle of chilled sparkling wine, dividing evenly, and stir to combine

19

Garnish drinks with lemon verbena or mint sprigs, if desired

20

Divide 3 tablespoons chilled sour cherry syrup among 6 glasses

21

Top off syrup with one 750-milliliter bottle of chilled sparkling wine, dividing evenly, and stir to combine

22

Garnish drinks with lemon verbena or mint sprigs, if desired