![Sour-Cherry Gin Slings](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/NTAbwO5VaQ_A6bkbBRN943RfGWo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/200807xl-sour-cherry-gin-slings-a4b0d52225474f2c80d63d191776268f.jpg)
Ingredients
Sour-cherry Syrup
-
1 pound sour cherries (stemmed)
-
¾ cup sugar
-
1 cup water
-
Strips of zest from 1/2 lemon
-
Strips of zest from 1/2 orange
Gin Sling
-
2 cups gin
-
⅔ cup Cointreau
-
⅔ cup fresh lime juice
-
2 ¼ cups sour-cherry syrup
-
Angostura bitters
-
Ice
-
Sparkling water
-
Lime wheels and fresh cherries (for garnish)
Directions
Make the gin slings:
-
In a large saucepan, combine the cherries with the sugar, water and citrus zests and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes. Pass the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing on the solids; you should have 2 1/2 cups. Let cool.
-
In a pitcher, combine the gin with the Cointreau, lime juice, sour-cherry syrup and a few dashes of bitters and stir well. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top each drink with sparkling water. Garnish with the lime wheels and fresh cherries and serve.
Make Ahead
The sour-cherry syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.