Sour Cherry Gin Cocktail Recipe

A delightfully sippable cocktail with a bit of a sour edge that'll keep you on your toes.

Updated May 09, 2024

Closeup of a sour cherry gin cocktail, served in a glass with sour cherry garnish. — Serious Eats / Kelly Carámbula

Why It Works

A minimal approach keeps the focus on precious, ephemeral sour cherries, which are only in season for a couple of weeks each year.

Pucker up, it's sour cherry season! These elusive cherries can usually be found for a few weeks in late June and early July at farm stands and farmers' markets—if you see them, grab a box. These tart, almost transparent cherries make great desserts, preserves, and of course, cocktails. This cocktail is a perfect way to use any leftover cherries after making a pie, since it only requires a few of them.

Gin brings subtle herbal flavors that add depth to this cocktail while allowing the primary flavor—those special cherries—to shine. After gently muddling the cherries with a little simple syrup, I simply added ice and gin, gave it a stir right there in the glass, and topped it with a little seltzer. It's a delightfully sippable cocktail with a bit of a sour edge that'll keep you on your toes.

June 2012

Recipe Details

Sour Cherry Gin Cocktail Recipe

Prep 5 mins

Active 5 mins

Total 5 mins

Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

5 sour cherries, pitted, plus 2 more for garnish
1/2 ounce simple syrup (see note)
1/2 ounce fresh juice from 1 lemon
1 1/2 ounces gin
1 to 2 ounces seltzer

Directions

In the bottom of a highball glass, lightly muddle sour cherries, simple syrup and lemon juice until cherries are gently smashed, not pureed.
Fill the glass with ice, add gin and stir for a few seconds until everything has combined. Top with seltzer, garnish with cherries, and serve.

Special Equipment

Muddler

Notes

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
150	Calories
0g	Fat
14g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	150
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 14g	5%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 11mg	55%
Calcium 17mg	1%
Iron 0mg	1%
Potassium 103mg	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.