Montmorency cocktail cherries & cherry syrup

For the Door County cherry old fashioned and other cocktails that call for cocktail cherries, of course you can find them in specialty stores — but you can also make your own!

Not surprisingly, I have found homemade to be much better.

Instructions (for the cherries)

Make the cherry syrup. (Add equal parts refined cane sugar and tart cherry juice and dissolve on low heat. Cool and refrigerate.)

Blanch some pitted cherries for 1 minute in boiling water. Add to a glass jar and top with cherry syrup. I sometimes add a splash of vermouth or bourbon or brandy to the cocktail cherries. You can add orange peel or make them spiced with cinnamon or allspice, if you wish, as well.

Refrigerate for 1–2 weeks. Your cherries will last for a long time this way — and they’ll get even better over time.