Cherries are a popular fruit that can be used to make a variety of drinks. The most common drink made from cherries is cherry juice. Cherry juice is made by pressing or blending cherries to extract the natural juices and pulp. It has a bright red color and a sweet, tart cherry flavor. Cherry juice can be enjoyed on its own as a beverage, used as a mixer for cocktails, or added to smoothies and other drinks.
In addition to juice, cherries are also commonly used to make cherry-flavored sodas and fruit punches. Maraschino cherries are a special variety of cherry that is preserved and sweetened to be used as a cocktail garnish and baking ingredient. The maraschino cherry liquid can also be used to add flavor to drinks.
Cherries add a sweet-tart kick and beautiful rosy hue to many different beverages. Read on to learn more about the most popular drinks made from cherries.
Cherry Juice
Cherry juice is the most direct use of cherries as a beverage ingredient. By simply pressing or blending cherries, the natural cherry juice is released and can be consumed immediately or bottled for later use.
Most commercial cherry juice is made from tart Montmorency cherries. The bright acidity of Montmorencys provides a bolder cherry flavor that stands out even when blended with other fruits or diluting the juice with water or ice.
Tart cherry juice is valued for its high nutrient content. It contains antioxidants called anthocyanins that give cherries their ruby color. Anthocyanins are linked to reduced inflammation and other health benefits. Tart cherry juice also provides melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.
Compared to sweet dark cherries like Bing cherries, Montmorency cherry juice has a more puckery, sour taste. The intense cherry punch makes it a popular choice for making cherry juice blends or as a base for cocktails like a cherry martini.
To moderate the tartness, most commercial Montmorency cherry juice is blended with apple, pear, and other fruit juices. Pomegranate and berry juices nicely complement the cherry flavor.
Cherry juice makes a nutrition-packed addition to smoothies. Combined with banana, Greek yogurt, and ice, it makes a creamy and refreshing cherry smoothie. For additional nutrients and fiber, you can add spinach, kale, or avocado.
Some juice bars will sell bottled Montmorency cherry juice or feature fresh-pressed cherry juice. You can also find bottled and refrigerated cherry juices in most grocery stores, often in the refrigerator section near other vegetable and fruit juices.
Look for 100% cherry juice products without added sugars or preservatives for the purest taste and most nutrients. Organic cherry juice comes from cherries grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Once opened, store cherry juice in the refrigerator and use within a week. The dense, concentrated juice can also be frozen in ice cube trays to add to drinks as needed.
Health Benefits of Cherry Juice
In traditional medicine, tart cherry juice is valued as a natural anti-inflammatory. Science suggests it can help reduce muscle pain and damage after intense exercise. The antioxidants and nutrients in cherry juice may support heart health, brain function, and diabetes management.
Here are some of the top evidence-based health benefits of drinking tart Montmorency cherry juice:
– Reduces muscle pain and damage: Multiple studies found that drinking tart cherry juice helps reduce muscle pain and strength loss following intense strength training or marathon running. The anti-inflammatory compounds are thought to aid muscle recovery.
– Improves sleep: Drinking tart cherry juice increases melatonin levels and may help improve sleep quality and duration, especially for those with insomnia. Melatonin is a key sleep-regulating hormone.
– May support heart health: The anthocyanin antioxidants in cherry juice can help decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing heart disease risk. Cherries also contain potassium which helps control blood pressure.
– Supports brain health: Animal studies suggest the anti-inflammatory effects of tart cherry anthocyanins can help protect brain cells and reduce oxidative damage associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
– Helps manage diabetes: Early studies indicate tart cherry juice may lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. The high antioxidant content provides protective benefits.
More research is still needed, but the unique nutrient profile of tart cherry juice makes it a smart, healthy beverage choice. Just be aware of the sugar content if blending cherry juice with other fruits or buying pre-made blends.
Cherry Cocktails
The sweet-tart flavor and gorgeous blush color of cherries makes them an essential ingredient in many cocktails. Maraschino cherries are the most common, but using fresh cherry juice or muddled Bing cherries also makes delicious cherry cocktails.
Here are some classic cherry cocktails to mix up at home:
Cherry Martini
A cherry martini is a vodka martini that uses cherry flavors instead of vermouth. It’s often garnished with maraschino cherries.
Ingredients:
– 2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
– 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) cherry juice or maraschino cherry liqueur
– Maraschino cherries for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka and cherry juice or liqueur.
3. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with maraschino cherries.
Manhattan
A Manhattan is a strong, whiskey-based cocktail that traditionally uses cherries as a garnish. A common modern twist incorporates the cherry flavor directly by substituting cherry whiskey or using maraschino cherry liqueur.
Ingredients:
– 2 ounces (1/4 cup) rye or bourbon whiskey
– 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) sweet vermouth
– 1/4 ounce (1 1/2 teaspoons) maraschino cherry liqueur
– Maraschino cherries for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add whiskey, vermouth, and cherry liqueur.
3. Stir until very cold.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with maraschino cherries.
Singapore Sling
This tropical cocktail was invented at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore in 1915. Along with gin, Benedictine, and club soda, it features cherry brandy as a key ingredient.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) gin
– 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) cherry brandy
– 1/4 ounce (1 1/2 teaspoons) Benedictine
– 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
– 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) club soda
– Maraschino cherry and lime wedge for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, cherry brandy, Benedictine, and lime juice.
3. Shake until chilled.
4. Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Top with club soda and stir gently.
6. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and lime wedge.
Non-Alcoholic Cherry Drinks
For an alcohol-free cherry drink, juice and soda are delicious options. You can also make cherry lemonade, iced tea, slushies, or shakes.
Sweet cherry varieties like Bing, Rainier, or Royal Ann work well for making homemade cherry syrup to sweeten and add flavor to non-alcoholic drinks.
Cherry Italian Soda
For a sparkling cherry drink, make an Italian soda by combining cherry syrup with soda water and a cherry garnish.
Ingredients:
– 2-3 tablespoons cherry syrup
– 1 cup soda water
– Maraschino cherries for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Add cherry syrup.
3. Top with soda water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with maraschino cherries.
Cherry Lime Rickey
A cherry lime rickey combines fresh lime juice, cherry syrup, and soda water for a fizzy, fruity drink.
Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
– 2 tablespoons cherry syrup
– 1 cup soda water
– Lime slice and maraschino cherries for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Add lime juice and cherry syrup.
3. Top with soda water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with lime slice and maraschino cherries.
Shirley Temple
A non-alcoholic classic for kids and adults, the Shirley Temple mixes ginger ale with grenadine syrup, a pomegranate syrup that gives it a pink hue. Topped with maraschino cherries, it’s a sweet cherry-ginger sparkler.
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup ginger ale, chilled
– 2-3 tablespoons grenadine syrup
– Maraschino cherries for garnish
Directions:
1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Add ginger ale and grenadine syrup.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Top with maraschino cherries.
Cherry Smoothies
For thicker, creamier cherry drinks, blended smoothies are a great choice. Use tart cherry juice or sweet cherry purée as the base along with banana, Greek yogurt, and ice.
Add spinach or kale for green nutrition and chia seeds, flaxseeds, or protein powder to boost protein and nutrients.
Here are some tasty cherry smoothie recipes:
Tart Cherry Green Smoothie
This green protein smoothie uses tart cherry juice and banana for sweetness instead of added sugar. Spinach provides antioxidants.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup tart cherry juice
– 1 banana
– 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 1 cup baby spinach
– 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
– 1 cup ice
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Cherry Almond Smoothie
For a nutrient boost, use almond milk and almond butter in this cherry-studded smoothie.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
– 1 banana
– 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
– 2 tablespoons almond butter
– 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
– 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
– 1 cup ice
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend until thick and creamy.
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Chocolate and cherry pair wonderfully in this indulgent protein shake. Use cacao powder for an antioxidant boost.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup tart cherry juice
– 1 banana
– 2 tablespoons cacao powder
– 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
– 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 1 tablespoon almond butter
– 1 cup ice
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
Cherry Dessert Drinks
Cherry flavor shines in cold dessert beverages. Blend it into milkshakes, floats, freezes, and slushies for a sweet treat.
Cherry Milkshake
Blend vanilla ice cream with cherry syrup or pie filling for an old-fashioned cherry milkshake. Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
– 1/4 cup cherry syrup or pie filling
– 1/2 cup milk
– Whipped cream and maraschino cherry for topping
Directions:
1. Add ice cream, cherry syrup, and milk to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Cherry Freeze
Like a slushy, a cherry freeze combines soda with soft serve ice cream for a frosty cherry treat.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups cherry soda, chilled
– 2 scoops vanilla soft serve ice cream
– Maraschino cherry for garnish
Directions:
1. Add soda and soft serve to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a tall glass and top with a maraschino cherry.
Cherry Ice Cream Float
Top scoops of vanilla ice cream with chilled cherry soda or root beer for an old-fashioned float.
Ingredients:
– 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
– 1 can cherry soda or root beer, chilled
– Maraschino cherry for garnish
Directions:
1. Scoop ice cream into a tall glass.
2. Slowly pour in soda.
3. Top with a maraschino cherry.
Making Cherry Syrup
An easy way to add cherry flavor to drinks is to make homemade cherry simple syrup. Simmer cherries with sugar and water to extract the sweet cherry juice.
Almost any variety of fresh cherry works, but sweeter dark cherries have the best flavor for syrups.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups pitted dark sweet cherries
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup water
Directions:
1. Pit and coarsely chop fresh cherries.
2. Combine cherries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and cherries soften, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and mash cherries with a potato masher or fork.
5. Let stand for 30 minutes, then strain liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a jar.
6. Store syrup in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Use cherry syrup to sweeten and add flavor to drinks. Start with 1-2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of beverage. You can also drizzle over ice cream, yogurt, and desserts.
Conclusion
Cherries are a versatile fruit that can be used to make many delicious beverages. As cherry juice or in cocktails, smoothies, and other drinks, both sweet and tart cherries impart a wonderful rosiness and fruity flavor.
From the classic flavors of cherry juice and maraschino cherries to creative combinations like cherry lime rickeys and chocolate cherry smoothies, there are endless drinks you can mix up using this unique fruit.
Cherries add nutritional benefits like antioxidants as well as beautiful color. Sip cherry drinks year-round to enjoy the sweet-tart taste and healthy compounds of this ruby red fruit.