Cherry Gin Gria Recipes

PLUM-BASIL GIN FIZZES

Steps:

• Make the basil syrup: Bring the sugar and 1/3 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the basil, then remove from the heat and let cool completely, about 1 hour, then strain.
• Muddle 3 plums in a large liquid measuring cup with a wooden spoon. Stir in the basil syrup and gin. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top with the seltzer. Garnish with basil and the remaining sliced plum.

CHERRY GIN

Steps:

• Wash the cherries well, discarding any bruised fruit, and remove any stalks or leaves. Put the whole cherries (with the stones) into the 1-litre jar, along with the gin and sugar. Seal the lid, and shake until most of the sugar dissolves. Reserve the gin bottle if you're planning to decant the liquor back into it later.
• Keep in a cool dark place, and give the jar a shake every day, if you can, or every couple of days. The cherry gin will be ready after three weeks, but can be kept for up to three months with the cherries in for a stronger flavour. Don't keep the cherries in the gin for any longer than three months or the flavour will start to deteriorate. The cherries will lighten in colour as the gin darkens and takes on the flavour.
• Decant a little into a glass, and taste. When you're happy with the flavour, strain through a fine mesh cloth or muslin, back into the original, or another, clean bottle, and discard the fruit. The flavour will keep developing over time, store in a cool dark place. Drink on its own, mix with tonic, or top up with sparkling water and serve with a slice of lemon for a refreshing alternative to a G&T.

CHERRY SPLASH

Steps:

• Pour rum, amaretto and cherry liqueur in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until ingredients are well combined and chilled. Pour into a highball glass filled with ice. Squeeze a lime wedge over drink and drop into glass. Add a pour of cherry juice and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

CHERRY GIN-GRIA

Steps:

• Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour in the cherry syrup and the gin; stir to mix together. Lighten the drink with a generous splash of soda. Float a layer of red wine on top by pouring it over the back of a wide, flat spoon. (Don't worry if it doesn't float; it tastes great either way.) Drop a few maraschino cherries and raspberries into the glass. Drink.