Oh, hello. What are you doing here? It’s the 4th of July. You should be outside, at the parade, backyard BBQ, rodeo, firework display. But you’re here. Reading my blog (thanks, BTW).
If you are reading this you are either:
A. Hiding from the aforementioned parade, BBQ, rodeo, firework display.
Or
B. Looking for last minute inspiration.
I can’t help you with the first one. I’m currently hiding in the pantry eating all the snack-sized Snickers out of the kid’s parade candy.
But I can help you with the second. How ’bout a cocktail while we discuss the menu options? This cherry and bourbon combo is sure to make you a whole lot happier about the fact that you are supposed to go to a picnic in an hour and you have nothing to bring.
Okay, feel better? Good. Now here’s some other simple, easy to pull-off ideas for the rest of this glorious Independence Day:
A Watermelon and Apricot Salad might be nice.
How about some Cherry Tomato and Olive Bruschetta?
Were you tapped to bring dessert? These Lime Shortbread Bars are pretty much outta this world.
But really a big batch of Cherry Bombs would make anyone happy. The cherry syrup recipe makes enough for 8-10 cocktails so you could make a pitcher and watch the fireworks fly. Cheers!
Cherry Bomb Cocktail
An excellent 4th of July cocktail with cherry simple syrup and Bourbon.
Ingredients
For the Drink:
- 3 tablespoons cherry syrup
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ice and lemon slices for serving
For the Cherry Syrup:
- 1 pound cherries (about 3 cups), stemmed
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
For the Syrup:
- Combine cherries (pits and all) and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir to coat the cherries in sugar than use a potato masher to squash the cherries and release their juice (this will be easier to do once they warm up a little bit).
- Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Keep at a simmer, adjusting heat as necessary, and cook until cherries are soft and start to break down, about 15 minutes.
- Set a strainer over a bowl and pour cherry mixture into the strainer. Press down on the solids until all the juice has gone through the strainer. Discard solids and chill syrup until ready to use. Makes about 2 cups syrup.
For the Drink:
- Fill a shaker with ice. Add cherry syrup, bourbon, and lemon juice. Shake vigorously then strain into ice-filled rocks glasses. Garnish with lemon slice and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 518Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 124gFiber: 6gSugar: 113gProtein: 3g
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This sounds so refreshing – perfect for these warm summer days.
Thanks Lisa! It is a doozy and goes down a little too easy!