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–+ servings
A close-up top view of bright red cherries with stems inside a glass jar of cherry bourbon, with more cherries in a bowl in the background on a wooden surface.

Black Cherry Bourbon Soda

Cherry infused bourbon takes just 15 minutes to prep and one week to transform into the most gorgeous summer cocktail you've ever poured.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 7 days
Total Time 7 days 15 minutes
Servings 10 Servings
Author Heather

Equipment

Ingredients

Cherry-Infused Bourbon

  • 1 cup bourbon such as Eagle Rare or Maker's Mark
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 cups fresh black cherries stems left on and pitted, or frozen cherries

Cocktail Prep

  • 4 oz soda water or your favorite sparkling water

Instructions

  • Add the bourbon and brown sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  • Pack cherries into a small jar and pour the hot liquid over; press gently on the cherries to make sure they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 week or up to 1 month.
  • To prepare sodas: Fill a 12-ounce rocks glasses with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) cherry-infused bourbon to the glass and top with about 4 ounces soda water each. Garnish with bourbon-infused cherries. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tips for Storing
  • Store the cherry-infused bourbon in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one month. The flavor actually continues to develop over the first two weeks.
  • Keep the cherries submerged in the liquid. Press them down gently each time you open the jar to make sure they stay covered and don't dry out at the top.
  • The infused cherries are delicious on their own as a garnish for cocktails, spooned over vanilla ice cream, or stirred into a whiskey sour. Don't throw them away when the bourbon is gone.
  • Label your jar with the date you made it. It's easy to lose track when you have multiple infusions going, and you want to use this within the month for peak flavor.
  • Do not store at room temperature. Unlike commercial liqueurs, this homemade infusion has fresh fruit in it and needs to stay cold.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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