Cherry Vodka Food

CHERRY VODKA

Steps:

• Slit the cherries, but don't cut them in half.
• Put in a pan with the sugar and 150ml water, then heat, stirring gently, until the juices run and the sugar has dissolved.
• Remove from the heat, then spoon into a large bottle or jar.
• Add the vodka and mix well. Seal, then leave for 4 weeks before drinking to let the flavours steep. For ice cold vodka, keep the bottle in the freezer (it won't freeze solid) or simply decant into a carafe, if you like.

CHERRY VODKA

Steps:

• Pit and halve the cherries. As in all vodka recipes, it is important that the flesh of the fruit be somehow exposed.
• Fill a jar with the cherries, but do not pack it. Pour the vodka on top and seal tightly. Leave in a dark place, preferably for at least 2 weeks-or up to 6 months. At the end of that time, open the jar and strain. If you have a very fine-mesh strainer, that will do. If not, use an ordinary strainer lined with a cheesecloth or even a coffee filter. Set the strainer over a large bowl, ideally one from which you'll be able to easily pour afterward. Pour the vodka mixture through the strainer and allow the fruit to sit, seeping liquid, for a good hour or so, stirring a bit and pressing if need be to make the liquid go through.
• Now taste the vodka. Add sugar if you want an after-dinner liqueur, or leave it out if you want something sharper. Pour (or ladle) into a decorative bottle.

SOUR CHERRY VODKA

Steps:

• Put the cherries into a 1-quart Mason jar, and cover with the sugar.
• Seal the jar and shake it several times, until the cherries are well coated with sugar.
• Add the vodka, reseal, and shake the jar a few more times to mix.
• Set aside in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks.
• Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a 4-cup glass measuring cup.
• If desired, transfer the liqueur to a decanter.
• The Sour Cherry Vodka should be ready to drink immediately and has a shelf life of 2 to 3 months.

CHERRY VODKA FIZZ

Steps:

• Pour the liqueur, kirsch, amaretto and vodka into a jug or cocktail shaker and mix well. Divide between 6 tall glasses and top up with grape juice. Add 2 maraschino cherries to each glass and serve.

CHERRY VODKA BUNDT

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine cherries, vodka, sugar and orange zest. Toss together and let sit for up to 1 hour or refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat butter, eggs, sugar, sour cream, milk, salt, and baking powder. Add flour in ¼ cup additions mixing on low until well combined. Pour about ½ of the syrup from the cherries into the batter. Mix again until incorporated. In a prepared bundt pan, pour 1/3 of the cake batter and spread evenly around the bottom of the pan with spatula. Spoon 1/3 of the cherries all over the first layer of batter. Repeat this process once more, ending with a final layer of cake batter. Be sure to reserve some cherries for garish if desired. In a small pan, melt butter with flour and sugars. Toss until a streusel forms. Scatter over the cake and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean. Transfer cake to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before transfer to a cake plate. In a small bowl, whisk up the icing and drizzle over bundt. Serve with reserved cherries or whipped cream.

CHERRY VODKA LIMEADE

Steps:

• Fill a 16 ounce glass with ice.
• Add first 4 ingredients.
• Stir.
• Garnish with a cherry if desired.