Cherry-Cinnamon Liqueur

three infused liqueurs
Photo: Justin Walker
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
3 days
Yield:
5 to 6 cups

For cherry lovers everywhere, there's this gift-worthy Cherry-Cinnamon Liqueur which is fantastic in a spritz. The recipe calls for a pound of fresh or frozen cherries; include some sour ones for nuanced flavor. When bottling this elixir, include a few of the vodka-soaked cherries from the recipe; they make exceptionally tasty cocktail garnishes.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh or frozen sweet or tart cherries (1 pound), or a combination, or cherries and cranberries (we used Wyman's Dark Sweet & Red Tart cherries)

  • 3 cinnamon sticks (each about 2 inches long)

  • 1 bottle (750 milliliters) vodka, such as Smirnoff

  • 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups Simple Syrup

  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine cherries, cinnamon sticks, and vodka in a large non-reactive jar. Cover and let stand at room temperature 2 to 3 days. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving fruit. Stir in simple syrup and almond extract to taste.

  2. Divide among clean jars. Add some of reserved fruit, if desired. (Remaining cherries can be refrigerated up to 1 month; send a small jar of extras along with the liqueur, or save them for yourself—they're great in Manhattans!) Refrigerate up to 3 months.

Cook's Notes

You can download the free, printable gift tags you see on the bottles here.

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