Cherry bourbon is a sweet and smooth cocktail that perfectly balances tart cherry and robust bourbon flavors. The infusion of cherries into the bourbon creates an incredible depth of flavor that far surpasses your typical whiskey drink.
While cherries and bourbon are the stars, this cocktail also features supporting ingredients like honey, lemon, and bitters that enhance the key components. The result is a complex, slightly sweet libation with layers of flavor sure to please bourbon lovers.
Though it may sound intimidating to infuse your bourbon, the process is quite simple and well worth the effort. Read on for tips and step-by-step methods for making outstanding DIY cherry bourbon at home. This impressive cocktail will be your new signature drink. For those looking to explore more delectable cocktail recipes, check out our cocktail category for inspiration.
Cherry Bourbon
Equipment
- Mixing glass
- Jigger
- Barspoon
- Cocktail glass
Ingredients
For the Cherry Bourbon
- 1 cup pitted cherries
- 1 750ml bottle bourbon
For the Cocktail
- 2 ounces cherry-infused bourbon
- 1⁄2 ounce honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)
- 3 dashes of aromatic bitters
- 1 lemon twist for garnish
Notes
Procedure For Making Cherry Bourbon
- Make the cherry bourbon: Add 1 cup pitted cherries to a clean glass jar. Pour over the entire 750ml bottle of bourbon. Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks, shaking, until the bourbon gets a deep red color.
- Strain the infused bourbon through a fine mesh sieve to remove the cherries. Transfer the cherry bourbon to a clean bottle and store it at room temperature until ready to use.
- Make the cocktail: Add ice to a mixing glass and chill for a few minutes.
- Add 2 oz of cherry bourbon, 1⁄2 oz of honey syrup, and 3 dashes of aromatic bitters to the mixing glass.
- Stir vigorously for 10-15 seconds until very cold.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Express a lemon twist over the drink and use garnish.
- Enjoy your cherry bourbon cocktail!
Tips and Tricks
- Use high-quality flavored bourbon for the best results. I recommend small-batch brands.
- Play around with different types of cherries – Bing, Rainier, dried, etc. Each offers subtle flavor variations.
- For a deeper flavor, infuse the bourbon for 2-3 weeks. But taste frequently after the first week to prevent over-extraction.
- Adjust the honey syrup to your taste preferences. A 1:1 ratio of honey to water provides balanced sweetness.
- Garnish with brandished cherries or fresh cherry halves instead of lemon for a fun presentation.
- Serve this cocktail on the rocks for a refreshing summer variation.
Conclusion
Making your own infused cherry bourbon may take some time upfront, but the wait is worth it once you sip this incredible cocktail. With every cherry-kissed sip, you’ll impress your guests and understand why this is my signature drink.
The combination of sweet bourbon layered with tart cherry and complimentary flavors never disappoints. Take a crack at infusing your bourbon and enjoy the delightful cherry bourbon cocktail as much as I do.
